At the heart of a strong community, you’ll find a strong public school system. I’ve always felt that the success of our Parish goes hand in hand with the success of Jefferson Parish Public Schools.
Better schools increase property values, attract higher paying jobs, lower crime, and help develop young people ready to contribute as productive members of the community. Whether you have a child in our schools or not, we all benefit from a better Jefferson Parish Public Schools.
At the heart of a strong school system, you’ll find strong teachers. If you want your child to get a good education, put them in front of a high-quality, well-supported teacher. As the largest and one of the most diverse school systems in Louisiana, we need to attract and retain the best and brightest to educate our students. When you compare our starting teacher pay to the surrounding seven parishes, however, we rank last.
Jefferson Parish citizens will vote on an 8.45 mill property tax in November to provide pay raises for JPPSS teachers and employees. If approved by voters, all certified teachers in JPPSS would receive an annual salary increase of $4,000. The increase would rank Jefferson Parish’s starting teacher pay just above St. Charles, East Baton Rouge, and St. Tammany.
Along with teachers, the mills would also be dedicated to a 10% pay raise for support staff whose position’s average annual salary is under $20,000. Employees whose position’s average annual salary is over $20,000 and are not certified teachers would receive a $3,000 pay increase.
Early voting for the November 18 election is November 3-11. The deadline to register in person or by mail is October 18.
I encourage you to make your voice heard in this upcoming election. Voting is just one important step. Please share this information with family and friends, and ask them to join you at the polls.