Public education shouldn't be an afterthought.
Florida families deserve real opportunity. And that starts with strong public schools.
David Jolly believes public education should be Florida's foundation, not an afterthought. His plan focuses on paying teachers what they deserve, investing in school infrastructure and resources, and ensuring every child has access to strong public schools regardless of zip code. He argues Florida needs a public education renaissance, not abandonment, because strong public schools strengthen communities, support families, and build the workforce Florida's future depends on.
David Jolly on Public Education
This isn't what real school choice looks like.
For years, Florida politicians have talked about school choice as if it is the answer to everything. But for many families, that “choice” doesn’t actually exist.
Because when public schools are underfunded, understaffed, and left behind, families aren’t choosing between great options.
They are choosing between what’s left.
And too often, that system has shifted education into the hands of for-profit institutions, while the public schools that serve the majority of Florida’s children are asked to do more with less.
That’s not a real solution. It’s a system that leaves too many students behind.
Public education should be the foundation. The place where every child, regardless of zip code, has access to opportunity, support, and a real path forward.
But that only happens when we invest in it.
That means paying teachers what they deserve. Supporting the people who show up every day to educate, guide, and inspire the next generation.
It means investing in school infrastructure, classrooms, and resources so students aren’t trying to learn in systems that have been neglected for too long.
And it means recognizing that strong public schools don’t just benefit students. They strengthen communities, support families, and build the workforce that Florida’s future depends on.
Florida doesn’t need to abandon public education.
It needs a renaissance.
Every child deserves a real shot.
That starts with schools we are willing to invest in.
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Join the movementFrequently asked questions
Q. Why are so many teachers leaving Florida?
Florida opened the 2024-25 school year with nearly 10,000 vacant positions, including over 5,000 teacher roles. The main reason is pay: Florida's average teacher salary ranks 50th of 51 states nationally (only Mississippi is worse), and teachers also cite high cost of living and Florida's political climate as reasons to leave.
Q. What does Jolly want to do about teacher pay?
Jolly wants to dramatically increase teacher pay as part of a 10-year public education renaissance. He proposes redirecting Tourist Development Tax revenue (currently used for convention centers and tourism promotion) toward teacher pay and school infrastructure, which would require legislative change.
Q. How does Jolly plan to fund his education priorities?
Jolly proposes expanding the allowed uses of Florida's Tourist Development Tax (over $1 billion per year statewide) to include teacher pay and school infrastructure. His framing: Florida doesn't have a crisis of convention centers, it has a crisis of public education.
Q. What about rural Florida school districts?
Rural districts face compounding challenges: shrinking enrollment, higher per-pupil costs, and the most severe teacher shortages (especially in special education, science, and math). Jolly's plan to raise teacher pay statewide would help rural districts compete for talent, and expanded state funding would help them maintain operations as local tax bases decline.
Q. How are Florida public schools currently funded?
Florida K-12 public schools are funded primarily through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), which combines state appropriations, local property tax revenue, and federal funds. Florida's per-pupil spending is approximately $12,400, ranking 8th lowest among U.S. states.
Q. Is the federal government taking over education policy?
No. Federal funding is under 10% of total K-12 spending, and federal law explicitly gives states control over curriculum, funding, teacher policy, and school choice. State-level governance (governor and legislature) is the dominant driver of school quality, which is why a Florida governor's education plan has more impact on Florida students than any federal change.