Business Leaders Announce Support of Upcoming Millage for Competitive and Fair Compensation for Teachers in Jefferson Parish
METAIRIE, LA – An educated workforce, a safecommunity and contributions to a better quality of life are a few of thecatalysts making public education paramount for business. For decades, thebusiness community has been the driving force behind a quality public educationsystem. With the recent School Board election and appointment of Dr. CadeBrumley as Jefferson Parish Superintendent of Education, the Board of Directorsof the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson BusinessCouncil are confident in supporting the upcoming millage for teacher pay raises in Jefferson Parish Public Schools.
Under the new plan, the average teacher would see anincrease of $3,360 in base salary with eligibility for additional stipends.Starting pay for teachers in Jefferson Parish currently ranks 8thout of nine parishes in our region. Average teacher pay in Jefferson Parishtrails both the state and nation.
“As the largest school system in Louisiana and the 98thlargest in America, we have a responsibility to invest in our biggest asset -the teachers of Jefferson Parish.” said Todd Murphy, President of the JeffersonChamber. Jefferson Parish schools now lose fourout of every ten new teachers and three of every ten veteran teachers.“Passage of this crucial teacher pay millage will provide the funds necessaryto be competitive with surrounding parishes, retain its best educators andrecruit top new teachers in Jefferson Parish,” continued Murphy.
Increasing teacher pay would undoubtedly bring in andretain more educators and their families to Jefferson Parish. “Our membership,which consists of some of the largest property owners in the parish, believethat this millage is a much needed investment in the future of our parish,”said Todd Matherne, Chairman of the Jefferson Business Council.
The millage, which is an increase of 7.9 mils, willnow go before Jefferson Parish voters in the May 4 election. Early voting isApril 20-27 (except Sunday, April 21) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. For moreinformation on the Jefferson Chamber-supported policy and legislation, pleasevisit www.jeffersonchamber.org or contact Todd Murphy at (504)835-3880 or todd@jeffersonchamber.org.
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About the Jefferson Chamber:
The Jefferson Chamber is a leading voice for Jefferson Parish’s businesscommunity. As a non-profit, membership-driven organization, the Chamber is aneffective advocate for small and large businesses at the local, state andfederal levels. The Chamber’s mission is to work for the advancement of thebusiness community; to enhance the economic, civic and cultural environment;and to improve the quality of life in Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Chamberis Five-Star Accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the2013 and 2015 Chamber of the Year Award by the Louisiana Association of Chamberof Commerce Executives in the Large Chamber Category.For more information about the JeffersonChamber, visit www.jeffersonchamber.organd follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.