Pay raises amount to nothing when a good teacher loses their job. Ask one of the former teachers who was not "laid off" but simply had their contract non renewed. That's the nice term for being 'laid off' or fired. And there are plenty of experienced teachers who have applied for employment and re-employment who have experience as well as graduate degrees who have excellent student achievement records. The school district simply won't consider employing the better teachers because they don't have the funds to pay them although some would be willing to work for lower salaries. They can afford to employ administrative personnel from down south (Palm Beach county).
Every teacher hired now is on annual contract so they are not fired or laid off at the end of their contract. That is a STATE law, not county. And please define a BETTER teacher...I can honestly say that while in elementary school in this county my children have not had a BAD teacher. The issues you are so distraught about have little to do with this county and more to do with the state. If we don't support our schools and teachers change will never happen. Consider what part you can do to help make a difference.