Caddo Parish School Superintendent Proposes 5% Teacher Pay Raise in New Budget

Now that we know the state won't be bumping up teacher pay, an increase could be on the way for Shreveport teachers. Caddo Parish educators could soon be getting a pay raise. Superintendent Keith Burton is putting the finishing touches on the budget and he's including a raise of at least 5% for all employees.

Burton says this will cost Caddo Parish $10.5 million dollars. He tells KEEL News cuts in other areas will have to be made to find the money for the pay increase.  Burton says "I am so proud of my team for looking for ways to be more efficient." He also asks his staff to make sure you can draw a straight line from an expense directly to the classroom.

School Board member Katie McLain has said she would not support the budget unless it included a pay raise for teachers. But she would prefer to see a set amount given to each worker, rather than a percentage increase. She says giving a percentage bump benefits the higher paid administrators more than it helps the lower paid staffers.

The board will begin budget meetings in early June and have to get it approved by July 1.

The total budget is more than $550 million. About $425 million of that is the general fund. 

What Parishes Have the Highest Paid?

Red River $80,667
St. Charles $74,706
Plaquemines $69,805
Terrebonne $66,963
Natchitoches $67,107

Bossier was #7 a year ago and is 14th in the latest numbers reported to the state. The average salary for Bossier teachers in 2024 (the last full year reported to the state) is $63,644. But Bossier teachers got a $2500 pay raise in 2025 bringing the average pay in Bossier to more than $66,000 which puts Bossier at #5 in the state.

Caddo was ranked 6th a year ago and has dropped to 16th with an average salary for 2024 of $63,349. Burton says this increase will put Caddo back up to 6th highest paid teachers in the state.