The Louisiana Legislature has approved two bills aimed at making temporary pay raises for K-12 public school teachers and support staff permanent, marking a significant step toward improving compensation for educators across the state. The measures, which passed unanimously in both the House and Senate, now await Governor Jeff Landry's signature and voter approval in 2025 to take full effect.
Earlier this year, lawmakers approved a one-time $2,000 stipend for teachers and $1,000 for support staff, funded by a $199 million allocation for the 2023-24 school year. Concerns about future budget deficits had prevented these raises from becoming permanent. On November 22, however, the Legislature revisited the issue, passing House Bill 5, authored by Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville, to make these temporary stipends a permanent addition to salaries.
The companion legislation, House Bill 7, introduced by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, provides the financial framework to support the raises by addressing the $9 billion debt of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). By reallocating funds previously earmarked for debt payments, the plan frees up approximately $287 million annually for local school districts to cover salary increases. To enable this reallocation, the bill proposes dissolving three educational trust funds—the Louisiana Quality Education Trust Fund, the Education Excellence Fund, and the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund—and redirecting these resources toward salaries. Excess savings in some school districts may also be used for early childhood education, summer enrichment programs, and addressing staff shortages.
While the proposed measures aim to provide much-needed financial relief for educators, challenges remain. The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates that state contributions of between $70,000 and $6.2 million annually will still be necessary to ensure raises are implemented across all districts. Furthermore, the bills do not apply to private or charter schools, leaving areas like Orleans Parish, where most schools operate as charters, with minimal benefits. Lawmakers are exploring alternative solutions to ensure that all educators, including those in charter schools, are treated equitably.
H.B. 7, as a constitutional amendment, requires approval in the March 29, 2025, Municipal Primary Election. The amendment is part of Governor Landry’s broader fiscal plan, which includes a proposed increase in the state sales tax to 5% starting in 2025. The success of this initiative is critical to securing the funding necessary for the pay raises and other educational priorities.
Governor Landry emphasized the importance of these measures in a recent video statement, noting that the state’s efforts to reduce debt have paved the way for permanent teacher pay raises. “We fixed the fiscal cliff by cutting state debt. In turn, we were able to give our teachers a permanent pay raise — a much-deserved win for our unsung heroes,” Landry said.
As the bills move to the governor’s desk, attention now shifts to voter turnout for the special election. If approved, these measures will not only secure much-needed raises for K-12 teachers but also reshape Louisiana’s educational funding landscape by reducing debt and reallocating resources for long-term sustainability.Louisiana