Louisiana House Bill HR1

Louisiana 2018 2nd Special Session

• Introduced: 5/22/18
• Passed: 5/23/18

Caption

Requests the governor and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to work with the legislature to increase the average pay of public school teachers

Impact

If adopted, HR1 could have significant implications for state laws regarding education funding and teacher compensation. It seeks to implement practical measures that would directly enhance the financial resources allocated towards educators. With Louisiana teachers currently earning approximately $1,210 less than the southern average, the resolution emphasizes that addressing salary disparities is critical for maintaining educational standards and ensuring that schools can hire and keep quality educators across the state. This could lead to changes in budget allocations and possibly influence legislative priorities regarding public education funding in Louisiana.

Summary

House Resolution 1 (HR1) is a legislative initiative aiming to address the issue of teacher salaries in Louisiana. The resolution calls on the governor and the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to collaborate with the legislature to find funding solutions that would raise the average salary of public school teachers to match or exceed the average salaries for teachers in the southern region of the United States. The resolution highlights the importance of competitive pay in attracting and retaining qualified teachers, especially in light of a statewide teacher shortage and a historic decline in teacher salaries relative to other professions, as indicated by the Economic Policy Institute.

Sentiment

The general sentiment regarding HR1 appears to be positive among educators and advocates for educational reform, who view the resolution as a much-needed step towards improving the conditions for teachers in Louisiana. There is an acknowledgment of the dedication of teachers and the essential role they play in providing quality education. However, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of securing additional funding, and potential opposition could arise from fiscal conservatives who prioritize budget constraints over educational investments.

Contention

While HR1 emphasizes the necessity of increasing teacher salaries, debates could emerge over how to fund such initiatives. Legislators may face challenges in balancing budget limitations against the need for competitive salaries. The contention may also revolve around differing opinions on the effectiveness of salary increases as a sole strategy for improving educational outcomes, with some stakeholders advocating for comprehensive reform beyond just financial compensation. Therefore, while there is broad support for enhancing teacher pay, the discussions are likely to explore various funding options and the implications of such measures on the state's overall budget.