The Mississippi Senate on Wednesday approved a $6,000 teacher pay raise, with an additional $3,000 for special education teachers. The move comes after the Senate amended legislation previously killed by both chambers last week, according to legislative sources.
The Senate’s plan spreads the raise over three years, starting with a $2,000 increase annually, plus an extra $1,000 yearly for special education teachers. It also includes raises for college professors and teacher assistants, bringing starting teacher pay to $47,500 once fully implemented. The measure is projected to cost taxpayers an additional $109.5 million annually, totaling $328.5 million when fully phased in, according to budget analysts.
One key difference from the House proposal is that the Senate bill would allocate the raise outside the state’s per-student funding formula during the first year. Senate Education Committee Chairman Dennis DeBar said this ensures the money directly benefits teachers. DeBar added the Senate aimed to be cautious and deliberate in its approach.
This marks the first teacher pay increase since 2022, when Mississippi approved a $5,000 raise. Despite surpassing other Southern states at the time, Mississippi’s teachers are now the lowest paid in the nation, and educators say it’s become harder to make ends meet.
The legislative relationship has been tense this session, with clashes over education policy. The Senate’s move to pass this raise follows a successful amendment to a House bill by DeBar, who emphasized focusing on teachers amid broader legislative disagreements. House leaders have argued that their comprehensive bills, which include issues like school choice and retirement reforms, are necessary for thorough policy updates.
Senate leaders have indicated they will not consider the House’s latest omnibus proposal, which covers multiple issues beyond teacher pay. The bills may now go to final negotiations or face rejection, depending on further legislative action. DeBar expressed optimism about eventual compromise, stating, “We always come together and compromise.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
