Mississippi Senate Approves $6,000 Teacher Pay Raise in Bid to Revive Legislation

The Mississippi Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a $6,000 teacher pay raise, including an additional $3,000 for special education teachers. The measure was part of a broader effort to revive legislation that had stalled last week after the House and Senate killed each other’s initial bills.

The Senate’s new proposal would spread the $6,000 increase over three years, with $2,000 annually, plus an extra $1,000 per year for special education teachers. It also includes a $2,000 annual raise for university and community college professors and K-12 teacher assistants.

According to legislative budget analysts, the bill would increase the starting salary for Mississippi teachers to $47,500 and cost taxpayers about $109.5 million more annually, totaling $328.5 million once fully implemented. The Senate’s approach would keep the raise outside the state’s per-student funding formula during the first year, ensuring the funds directly benefit teachers, said Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar.

DeBar emphasized the cautious approach, noting the Senate’s willingness to do more in the future. The legislation would be the first teacher pay increase in Mississippi since a $5,000 raise in 2022, which temporarily put the state above other Southern states in teacher compensation. However, as neighboring states have since increased their pay, Mississippi remains the lowest paid nationally.

The bipartisan effort comes amid a tense relationship between the Republican-led House and Senate, with disagreements over education policy and school choice legislation. Last week, both chambers rejected each other’s initial pay raise proposals.

Senate leaders successfully amended a House bill on Wednesday, after the deadline for such actions. The Senate will not consider the House’s broader omnibus bill, which includes various education-related policies beyond teacher pay. House Speaker Jason White and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann have criticized each other’s approaches, reflecting ongoing political discord.

DeBar stated lawmakers aimed to focus solely on teacher pay, separate from other issues. He expressed optimism that the chambers will eventually reach a compromise, despite the legislative deadlock. Mississippi’s education system has gained recognition for recent academic progress, making the resolution of this debate critical for educators statewide.

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