On March 13, 2019 the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved a K-12 funding plan that designates $101 million dollars to reoccurring pay raises for teachers and school support employees. This could mean an extra $1000 for teachers and $500 for support employees and a first step towards getting Louisiana to the Southern Regional Average, but it isn't over yet: This legislative session our representatives and senators will vote whether or not to approve this funding plan.
The legislature does not have the constitutional power to add more to BESE's funding plan, they can only vote 'yes' or 'no'. If they do not vote 'yes', then Louisiana could revert back to last year's funding levels, which would mean we have to wait two more years for a statewide pay raise.
This isn't enough money; after a decade of spending cuts and even longer without pay increases Louisiana educators deserve more and we must continue to fight at every opportunity, but this is a first step towards getting teachers and support staff the recognition they deserve.