A recent survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers shows 97 percent of teachers and 98 percent of staff said they are not paid enough to raise a family. LFT Spokesperson Heather Cushman says state lawmakers are considering a pay raise for educators.
“What’s on the table right now in the legislature is a $2,000 raise for teachers and $1,000 for support staff. We need to take drastic actions to ensure we can get out of this crisis.”
The statewide average teacher salary is $52, 472, nearly $3,000 less than the Southern regional average. Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing a $2,000 increase for teachers and possibly $3,000 if there is enough revenue available. Cushman says more than a third work of teachers have to work a second job.
“Some of the responses we got were pretty heart-wrenching. One teacher said if you are a teacher a second job adds more stress to your life. I only imagine what kind of teacher I’d be if I had the time to dedicate myself fully to one job.”
Higher insurance premiums and inflation also deduct from living wages creating a greater shortage. Cushman says recent pay raises by the legislature do not resolve the problem but an additional increase in pay sends a message that educators are valued.
“We need to pass a pay increase for both teachers and support staff that would get us on par. And we need a plan to stay there so that we don’t fall behind again.”
Louisiana teachers have not been at the Southern regional average since 2007 resulting in more than 1,200 vacant teaching positions across the state.
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