State House committee working on bill to raise teacher pay

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – Legislators are making their opening bid on an increase in teacher pay.

The House Education Committee passed House Bill 1349.

The measure proposes a $500 increase in teacher salaries, for each of the next two years, totaling $1,000.

That would boost the starting pay for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree from $34,390 to 35,390 beginning July 1 in 2020.

The bill would also boost the stagnant salaries of assistant teachers over the same two-year period.

One part of the plan would allow retired teachers,to return to work at a somewhat lower salary while still drawing state pensions.