Lee County teachers petition for more planning time

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Lee County School District teachers are speaking up about the lack of planning time they are given each day and the workload it is causing.

“We used to think, yes we’re going to be taken care of, this is a noble profession–it’s not necessarily a noble profession anymore,” Pam Baker, a teacher at Estero High School said.

A lot has changed since Baker became a teacher 15 years ago. Her class size has doubled and she says a lot of people who get into teaching just can’t afford it anymore.

“Every teacher that I know, especially single teachers, they all have second jobs,” Ann Burnett, a teacher at Fort Myers High School said. “I also know some teachers give blood plasma for extra money.”

More than 800 people have signed a petition for teachers that would give them at least 84 minutes to plan everyday, as opposed to right now where they can only have that time every other day.

“So we’re supposed to plan for 150 students plus create differentiated construction for four or more classes, meet the emotional need for our students,” Burnett explained.

A contract voted on by both teachers and the school district passed on Friday night. It will add 30 more minutes per week for planning.

“Which equates to six minutes a day which really doesn’t do much of anything for teachers,” Burnett said.

“Planning time for teachers is really about being effective,” Leah Mason, another Fort Myers High School teacher said.

They say it’s important they speak up now so that there can be a brighter future for the students and the teachers.

“If you can put a monetary value on the veteran teachers, I think they do have a reason to be heard,” Mason said.

“It’s really a serious time in public education in Lee County.”

The new contract will be effective for the remainder of the school year.