Teacher pay raise bill is still alive in the state legislature

JACKSON, Miss. (WCBI) – A teacher pay raise bill is still alive in the state legislature.

The state Senate changed some language and then unanimously passed HB530.

Now it makes its way back to the House.

If approved there, the bill will be sent to the governor for his signature.

If the House doesn’t approve, it will be sent to conference for negotiations.

The bill provides a minimum starting pay at $39 thousand dollars for the next school year and $40 thousand thereafter.

The plan also includes annual and five-year pay bumps and a $2 thousand dollar salary increase for assistant teachers.

HB 530 as it passed the Senate provides:

• minimum starting salary of $39,000 in 2022-2023 and $40,000 thereafter
• $500 annual step increases for all teachers, beginning in year 1
• larger increases at five-year intervals (years 5, 10, 15, 20, & 25)
  • Class A (Bachelor’s degree) 5-year interval bumps – $1,325; $2,500 at year 25
  • Class AA (Master’s degree) 5-year interval bumps – $1,425; $2,500 at year 25
  • Class AAA (Specialist degree) 5-year interval bumps – $1,525; $2,500 at year 25
  • Class AAAA (Doctorate) 5-year interval bumps – $1,625; $2,500 at year 25
• average salary increase of $4,785 when fully phased in
• $2,000 salary increase for assistant teachers, bringing minimum salary to $17,000 over two years
• total cost of ~$230-million