CLEWISTON- The Hendry County School District and Hendry County Education Association (HCEA) have agreed to a new contract that will see instructional staff receive a 4% salary increase.

The agreement was approved by the Hendry County School Board on August 19.

“The Hendry County Education Association is proud to represent the teachers of Hendry County,” said HCEA president Kimberly Stitt. “We will continue to advocate for teachers, students, and families in our county. These pay raises are well-deserved and hard-earned. We thank the School Board for their vote. We look forward to continuing the unifying work with Mr. Swindle and the District’s Leadership Team to make our schools the best in the state.”

Under Hendry School superintendent Michael Swindle, teacher salaries have increased 21% over five years. Salaries for teachers in Hendry start at $52,000. Superintendent Swindle says that the 4% salary increase is a meaningful recognition of the contributions that Hendry teachers and instructional staff make every day in the classroom.

Recently the Hendry School District achieved a “B” district grade rating for the 2024-2025 school year. Westside Elementary, Central Elementary, and Eastside Elementary all earned A’s from the Florida Department of Education.

“As a school district who ranked 4th in the entire state in year-to-year growth in 2024-2025,” said superintendent Swindle, “we remain focused on fostering a supportive and rewarding environments for all employees and will continue to work in partnership with the Hendry County Educators Association to build a stronger future for education in our community.”

“This agreement is more than a pay raise,” concluded Swindle, “it is an affirmation of respect and gratitude for those who dedicate their lives to shaping the youth of our community. We are proud to stand beside our educators and invest in the people who make excellence in education possible”.