Florida public schools are experiencing an increase in teacher and staff vacancies, according to new data released by the Florida Education Association (FEA). The latest figures indicate that as the second half of the school year begins, many positions remain unfilled, including bus drivers, paraprofessionals, custodial staff, cafeteria workers, and teachers. This shortage means schools across the state are operating without enough essential personnel to maintain healthy and safe environments for students.
Typically, most educational positions are filled by mid-year. However, thousands of roles remain vacant this January. The FEA notes that these are not just unfilled jobs but positions districts have been unable to fill at all. While some level of vacancy is common at the start of a school year, there has been an increase in open positions since August 2025. Teacher turnover is also rising; last year, 31% of teachers had fewer than four years of experience. These patterns point to ongoing instability and a retention crisis affecting student learning.
The FEA attributes part of this issue to Florida’s $4.4 billion voucher program and broader affordability challenges in the state. High living costs and policies impacting migrant communities have contributed to declining public school enrollment. Despite this drop in enrollment, thousands of education-related vacancies persist, suggesting that retaining qualified educators remains difficult for districts.
A decrease in reported vacancies compared to previous years is mainly due to budget cuts and eliminated positions rather than actual improvements in staffing levels. Over the past five years, the number of certified teachers replaced by out-of-field or temporary teachers has nearly doubled. Some districts may also be underreporting vacancies by filling roles with uncertified substitutes instead of advertising them publicly.
“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,” said Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar. “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 who will prioritize strengthening public schools rather than shifting control to private interests or reducing funding further. The organization argues that improving educator pay and investing fully in school resources are necessary steps toward stabilizing staffing levels.
The FEA compiles vacancy data twice each year using postings on district websites—once in August and again in January—with detailed county-by-county breakdowns available online.
###
