Governor Edwards is proposing $2,000 increases for teachers and $1,000 for support staff in the upcoming legislative session, but he wants to give them even more if the Revenue Estimating Conference finds a surplus. Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey said the REC will meet in May.
“That’s when the additional $1,000 for teachers and $500 for support staff would be added. Unfortunately we kind of had this scenario last session and the legislature did not add the additional increases in,” said Posey.
Many lawmakers said they voted against it because they feared the raise would not be substantial.
Posey said for teacher retention, and staff as well, it’s vital that lawmakers invest in education so students have qualified and quality educators.
“Most people don’t realize it but we are at such a crisis for having teachers, not necessarily certified teachers in the classroom we actually have janitors that are covering classes now,” said Posey.
The legislature has passed pay increases for teachers and staff over the last three years, but Posey said sadly those raises are not going to take home pay, it’s going towards increased health insurance premiums. And she said each year lawmakers require more of teachers with new programs and reporting, but they aren’t rewarded salary-wise.
“I just think we need to take a long hard look at what we’re asking of our educators,” said Posey.
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