By now, school district employees across Florida are probably tired of hearing that things are tough all over, and how they should just be glad to have a job.

That doesn't change the way that school districts are reacting to the most severe economic slump in decades, though.

The Orlando Sentinel reports today that just 13 of 67 districts have settled salary concerns this year, mostly because district officials aren't able to find money for raises while also keeping programs afloat. Most of the districts that have reached agreements gave small raises that mostly covered rising insurance costs, the paper notes.

"This is by far the most difficult year I've seen," said Max Schmidt of the Florida School Labor Relations Service, who has worked in Florida more than 30 years.

How bad is it?

Miami-Dade has delayed its talk of raises before a special magistrate amid increasing budget concerns, the Miami Herald reports.
The Lee School Board approves 3 percent raises for all employees except
administrators, but only after laying off hundreds, the Fort Myers News-Press reports.

Closer to home, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando have yet to seal deals, while Hillsborough has paid raises but also increased the working hours of many teachers along with the extra cash.

Teacher groups contend there's money available if there's also
political will to make employees a top priority. But administrators and
board members counter that they're doing what they can, and that things
really are tough all over.

And, like it or not, the boards - not the unions, the
administrators, the magistrates or anyone else - have the final say.
Stay tuned.