On March 4, 2025, the issue of unpaid parental leave for teachers within the Friendswood Independent School District has raised concerns, spotlighting the financial struggles faced by educators during one of the most significant life events: welcoming new children. Casey Candee, a third-grade teacher and currently eight months pregnant, received unexpected news last March. Her school district informed her she would not be receiving pay until July, resulting from the depletion of her vacation days. This situation would put her finances under strain, providing $9,400 less due to the necessity of hiring a substitute teacher until the end of the school year.
Similarly affected was Brandy Mertz, another teacher who gave birth earlier and faced deductions totaling about $14,000—equivalent to roughly one-fifth of her annual salary. Like many educators across Texas, they are caught between the high costs associated with childbirth and the absence of paid parental leave mandated by the state, leaving many to rely solely on limited vacation time to forge connections with their newborns or newly adopted children.
Recent data reveals stark disparities, with only 18% of the nation’s largest school districts providing paid parental leave for educators, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality. Under federal law, teachers are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave; yet many simply cannot bear the financial burden of extended unpaid absence.
To address this alarming trend, Kelly Browning, formerly of the Friendswood ISD, initiated the Parents for Public Education nonprofit last fall to help teachers financially impacted by wage deductions during maternity leave. The organization has successfully raised about $11,000, offering $500 grants to teachers, though Browning aspires to increase the amounts to $1,000.
“I think we’re in trouble when we’re relying on community philanthropy to meet the expenses of fundamental state and local policy,” remarked State Senator Nathan Johnson, who has been advocating for mandatories paid leave for teachers. Despite several attempts to pass legislation, he has faced resistance from the GOP-led Senate. Yet, he highlighted pressing concerns over local fundraising efforts, indicating systemic issues.
Compounding the issue, State Senator Mayes Middleton, who serves the Friendswood area, recently filed Senate Bill 1722. The bill proposes enacting eight weeks of paid leave for birthing parents and four weeks for non-birthing parents, paid through state funding. Middleton expressed optimism about its passage, emphasizing the need for supportive measures for educators.
Meanwhile, statistics paint a grim picture for the morale of educators. During the last school year, 45 teachers from Friendswood ISD recorded nearly 400 days of unpaid leave, totaling about $175,000 lost to the district; the bulk of this leave was related to pregnancy.
“We continuously strive to find ways to support our educators,” said Lindsey Foley, Friendswood ISD’s executive director of human resources, acknowledging the tight budget governing district decisions.
The situation is not unique to Friendswood. Despite some districts implementing paid parental leave policies—such as the Idea Public Schools offering up to eight weeks since 2016—many districts remain devoid of such provisions, leaving educators vulnerable.
Kelsey Kling, representing the American Federation of Teachers Texas, expressed shock upon learning about the substantial amounts lost by teachers Candee and Mertz, describing it as “horrifying.” Many educators are choosing to exit the profession, with Texas experiencing attrition rates of 13.4% between the fall of 2021 and the following fall, declining slightly to 12% during the 2023-2024 period.
Risking the teacher workforce stability, approximately two-thirds of teachers have considered leaving their roles due to financial distress, compounded by the burdensome conditions of being primarily women—three out of four educators are female, according to state data.
Clay Robison, spokesperson for the Texas State Teachers Association, pointed out how insufficient school funding mandates districts to forego viable benefits such as paid parental leave. “The state doesn’t give them enough money to have wiggle room in their budget,” Robison explained, emphasizing how low funding prompted cuts to programs benefiting teachers.
The discourse around these issues is laden with complexity, especially facing opposition from certain government officials. Governor Greg Abbott’s office maintained the rhetoric of sufficient public school funding during his administration, which many argue is far from reality, especially when accounting for enrollment growth and inflation.
Reflecting on her challenging experiences, Browning resigned from teaching back in 2023, illustrating how the lack of support made family life untenable for educators. “If anything, public educators and all parents should be the most celebrated people,” Browning stated, as her initiatives aimed to alleviate financial stresses for teachers relying solely on community grants.
Working alongside Browning, the Parents for Public Education will distribute 14 grants worth $6,000 this year, reflecting collective community support. Surveys revealed widespread backing among parents and educators alike, with over 90% expressing the desire for paid parental leave. Their testimonials revealed heartbreaking situations wherein teachers had to prioritize their roles over immediate family crises, attributing deepening concerns on work-life balance.
Deidre Stevens, another educator and co-founder of Parents for Public Education, lamented the arduous reality many teachers endure, especially when they aspire to expand their families but recognize the prohibitive costs associated with doing so on modest salaries. Her hopes for another child have diminished due to the financial constraints arising from her role.
With the mounting pressure, educators like Candee are finding themselves lost amid juggling professional obligations and impending motherhood. Just two days before her scheduled C-section, Candee was involved in a car accident, leading to her premature hospitalization—a stressful culmination of events during what should have been joyous moments.
The dynamics surrounding parental leave for teachers reflects broader conversations about workplace rights, societal support for educators, and the urgent necessity for sustainable policies to assist teachers at pivotal moments like parenthood. The continuous pressure on educators not only threatens their stability within the profession but has also sparked discussions on fundamental reforms necessary within Texas to uplift its education system and bear witness to the foundational importance of families within the teaching profession.