Florida public schools are experiencing an increase in teacher and staff vacancies as the second half of the school year begins, according to new data released by the Florida Education Association (FEA). The vacancies affect a wide range of positions, including bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodial staff, cafeteria workers, and teachers.
The FEA reports that these shortages persist despite it being mid-year when most positions would typically be filled. The number of unfilled roles has grown since August 2025, indicating that school districts are struggling not only to fill open jobs but also to retain qualified educators. Teacher turnover is also rising; last year, 31% of teachers had fewer than four years of experience.
Several factors have contributed to the ongoing retention issues. The FEA points to Florida’s $4.4 billion voucher program and increasing living costs as major contributors. These challenges have resulted in declining public school enrollment and difficulty attracting and keeping staff.
The apparent decrease in vacancies over the past year is mainly due to budget cuts and eliminated positions rather than real improvements in staffing levels. The association notes that the use of out-of-field or temporary teachers has nearly doubled over five years. Some districts have left positions unadvertised or filled them temporarily with uncertified substitutes, which can make vacancy numbers appear lower than they actually are.
Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, said: “While the Commissioner of Education will likely try to rewrite the facts, the truth is, if even one child walks into a classroom this semester without a permanent, certified educator, that is one too many. It’s unacceptable for students to cycle through four or five different teachers in a single year, because consistency is key to student success. Yet, between the micromanagement of classrooms, overbearing regulations, and Florida ranking 50th in average teacher pay, our educators and education staff professionals are being chased out of the profession. Lawmakers must take responsibility and address this crisis head-on. Parents and voters are demanding stronger public schools. They want lawmakers to strengthen Florida’s public schools, not abandon them.”
The FEA calls for state leaders to prioritize strengthening public schools by investing in fair pay for educators and fully funding necessary resources for students.
The organization compiles vacancy numbers twice each year based on district website postings.
The Florida Education Association represents about 120,000 members statewide across PreK-12 teaching staff, higher education faculty, educational support professionals, future teachers at colleges and universities, and retired employees.
