Louisiana Teachers Voice Concerns Over Proposed Raise Plan

A new pay raise proposal aimed at Louisiana educators is drawing mixed reactions, particularly among those it’s designed to help.

On paper, the $2,250 raise for certified staff and $1,125 for classified staff sounds like progress. But Jordan Thomas, president of the Red River United teachers union, told KEEL News on Thursday that it’s not that simple.

The state’s plan, which would require a constitutional amendment, converts an annual stipend into permanent salary, but with only a marginal increase. After adjusting for what teachers have already come to depend on, the actual bump is just $250 for certified staff and $125 for classified workers.

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“That’s not nothing,” Thomas said, “but it’s not the incentive needed to address Louisiana’s teacher shortage.”

She noted that the stipend doesn’t currently count toward retirement benefits. The proposed raise would, which adds long-term value. Still, it doesn't change the fact that Louisiana teachers remain well below the Southern regional pay average.

The Bigger Issue: Retention and Recruitment

With fewer college students entering education and more teachers leaving, the workforce is under pressure. Temporary fixes like the state’s TAT certification, allowing non-certified degree holders to teach, are a stopgap, not a solution, according to Thomas. She argues that students deserve certified, fully trained educators in every classroom.

“When people adjust their lives to a stipend, it’s hard to ask them to do more with barely any added benefit,” she said. “And yet we’re asking them to carry more weight every year.”

Who Should Pay?

There’s debate over whether the state or local school boards should fund raises. Thomas believes both have a role, noting that certification, evaluation, and retirement are all state-driven, while local systems handle daily operations.

Looking Ahead

The proposed amendment is expected to appear on the April ballot. Whether it passes may depend on how voters weigh the long-term value of teacher pay and retention against short-term budget concerns.

“We’re grateful for anything,” Thomas said. “But gratitude doesn’t fix a crisis. Real investment does.”