Today, Senate Education Chairman Dennis DeBar announced the Senate’s teacher pay raise plan.
Making the announcement at the Stennis Capitol Press Forum, the chairman explained that the proposal reflects the concerns and priorities that teachers expressed in listening sessions he held around the state, as well as feedback provided to the Education Committee in its September hearing on teacher pay. In an effort to address teachers’ specific concerns, the Senate is proposing a rewrite of the salary schedule, rather than a simpler across-the-board increase.
The plan, which will be phased in over two years, provides:
- minimum starting salary of $40,000 after year two of the phase-in
- $500 step increases for all teachers in most years, including years 2 and 3
- larger increases at five-year intervals (years 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25)
- Class A (Bachelor’s degree) 5-year interval bumps – $1,325
- Class AA (Master’s degree) 5-year interval bumps – $1,425
- Class AAA (Specialist degree) 5-year interval bumps – $1,525
- Class AAAA (Doctorate) 5-year interval bumps – $1,625
- average salary increase of $4,700 after year two of the phase-in
- total cost of $210-million
See the Senate plan.
The pay raise package will be a welcome piece of good news for teachers who have for too long been overworked and underpaid. The bill, once introduced, will go first to the Senate Education Committee for approval before heading to the Senate floor. We’ll let you know when we have a bill number so you can reach out to your Senator in support of this good effort.
We are grateful to Senate Education Chairman Dennis DeBar and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann for taking the time to craft a well-thought-out plan that takes into account the specific desires of teachers. The House of Representatives is expected to release its plan for teacher pay in the coming weeks.
Keep a close watch for news – this session is off to a good start!
