Final legislative approval came on Monday for a measure to give a pay raise of $1000 to teachers, $500 to school support workers, and $39 million in block grant funding for school districts. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Debbie Meaux says while it is a modest amount, teachers are ecstatic that lawmakers recognize the importance of the raise.
“It’s a small amount for this year, but there is promise from the Governor that we’re going to keep working on bringing that amount up and beyond the southern regional average,” said Meaux.
Meaux applauds lawmakers on greenlighting the funding for school districts to help with resources in the classroom.
“Even though some of them were a little hesitant at first, I think they understood the value of making sure that our school districts are compensated for the educational costs that they pass on to our children,” said Meaux.
The raise is the first for Louisiana teachers in ten years, and although it does not bring teachers up to the southern regional average, Meaux believes that more money will come in time.
“I believe that our legislators do value educators in the school system, the people that work with our children, and that they are going to do the best that they can to find that money,” said Meaux.
The legislative instrument results in a $140 million increase to annual school spending. Lawmakers continue to work on the budget to fund the state this week.
