(The Center Square) — Caddo Parish school employees could receive a one-time $1,000 stipend if the board approves Superintendent Keith Burton’s recommendations on Aug. 19.
Caddo Public Schools didn’t just unveil a new logo recently; Burton has proposed a one-time stipend amid ongoing discussion surrounding the lack of pay raises for Caddo teachers and employees.
The business will be considered with other items on the Aug. 19 agenda, along with the approval of distribution for a state-funded stipend.
Burton proposed a one-time stipend of $1,000 for all employees, to be paid on Sept. 12. This money would be in addition to the stipend sent out by the state.
According to Burton’s proposal, the stipend is available from higher-than-anticipated local tax revenue. Total cost for all employees to receive the stipend is $5.7 million.
To receive the stipend, eligible employees must be employed and eligible for benefits as of September 1 and still employed by Sept. 12 when payment is issued.
The state-funded stipend is also on the agenda for the board to decide on distribution. Certified employees will receive $2,000, and classified employees will receive $1,000. This stipend is also set to be paid September 12, and to be eligible, you must be employed and eligible for benefits as of September 1. According to the agenda, substitute workers are not eligible to receive this stipend.
Many have addressed the lack of pay raises for the school board during meetings over the last few months.
In recent reports from The Center Square, Caddo Parish teachers make less than $50,000 starting salary, and have not received a permanent raise since 2017. Advocates from the Caddo Federation of Teachers and Support Personnel and Red River United continue to address the lack of pay.
The school board will meet on Aug. 19 for an executive committee work session and a Caddo Public School Board meeting.
