Alva Smith: Under Capacity Schools Impact Teacher Salaries

As recently reported, our dedicated teachers and other employees continue to be tremendously underpaid.  Leon County School District operating reserves have dwindled down to the minimum amount required by law and this year we were embarrassingly only able to offer our teachers a minimal raise, and other support staff saw no raise at all. Something drastic has to change, now.  The immediate remedy to this on-going problem is staring us in the face.  We must lower our operational costs and apply that savings to raise the amounts that we pay our employees. 

Our ability to pay teachers a higher wage is handcuffed by the operation of too many under capacity schools caused by popularity of School Choice vouchers and scholarships, well-performing Charter Schools and shifting population demographics.  Leon County Schools current enrollment is just under 32,000 and we are operating 51 school sites.  Compare this to our neighboring county Okaloosa Schools (an A district) which is similar in size, serving just over 32,000 students at only 44 school sites. By operating efficiently, Okaloosa Schools teacher salaries are paid an average of $6,000 more than their counterparts in Leon.

Our enrollment declines didn’t happen overnight but have been a slow steady decline over the past 15 years.  FLDOE Average Daily Attendance reports show ALL but seven of our traditional public schools have experienced between 2%-35% declines in enrollment from 2010 to 2025. Years of declines have led to seven of our traditional public schools currently operating between 70%-75% of student capacity, and another five operating between 60%-69%.  So where did the students go? 

Two factors have contributed to this loss here in Leon County. While several charter schools have come and gone, two successful models have attracted students.  Tallahassee School of Math & Science, and School of Arts & Sciences (both locations) have both flourished with academic success and are boasting a combined total enrollment of over 1500 students and counting.

Additionally, Family Empowerment Scholarships (FES), which assists families choosing private school, has expanded significantly.  As a direct result of school choice scholarships, Leon County Schools revenue was reduced by $3.5 million in 2021.  That amount has increased exponentially to a reduction of $28.2 million.  Yet, we continue to operate school sites that were needed prior to School Choice. 

Around the state, this is impacting other districts to an even greater extent.  Many of those districts have reacted by closing schools and consolidation of schools onto one campus.  Enrollment loss has prompted Broward County to consider closing 34 schools, and both Orange and Hillsborough counties are reporting losses of 7,000 students each. Recently, Duval county’s decision to close five schools and relocate those students to other nearby campuses will allow the district to save an average of $1 million per school closure.

Parents are letting us know they want choice and it’s time for Leon County Schools to adapt. Zip code can no longer dictate the school our children attend. Enough of the finger pointing and blaming, each side boasting that their model is best for our students.  I am a member of the Leon County School Board and it’s time we quit warning that tough times are coming, and actually take action to ensure that we are operating efficiently with our resources, taking into account varying enrollment trends throughout our community. Strong leadership around the state has led to consolidation of under-capacity schools, opening the doors of empty classrooms to locally successful private Pre-K programs, and conversion of empty facilities for workforce housing or youth training programs. It is time to reimagine Leon County Schools, do what’s best for our students and teachers, and stop trying to operate the same number of facilities on a decreasing level of students and revenue.