Collier teachers seek wage increase; impasse hearings continue Friday

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — The Collier County Education Association is advocating for a wage increase for teachers.

After 14 bargaining sessions, the association and the Collier County Public School District reached an impasse, unable to agree on key issues like salaries, planning time, and evaluations.

Teachers, staff, and the district are now required to go through state-mandated impasse hearings. One such hearing took place on Thursday.

Kenneth Mouton, president of the Collier County Education Association, said teachers are working under a contract from 2024, which expired in 2025.

"We're looking for a livable wage. The $32.90 to $32.80 that we have on the table. That's not asking for too much," said Mouton.

"So when you can't feed your kids, you can't support them, you're living in a car, okay? You're donating or actually selling your blood plasma to pay for your bills. You tell me, how do you think the teachers are doing? They're fighting for their lives," said Mouton.

The school district expressed its commitment to a transparent, fair, and orderly bargaining process, but its negotiating team chose not to comment before the hearings.

A second impasse hearing is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m.