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LULING – (May 12, 2022) – At its Board Meeting on May 11, 2022, the St. Charles Parish School Board approved a 10% pay raise for full-time and permanent part-time SCPPS employees. Additionally, the School Board approved a one-time payment for full-time and permanent part-time SCPPS employees to be issued in May 2022 and a loyalty/recruitment payment to be issued in October 2022.

Due to this investment made by the School Board, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, St. Charles Parish Public Schools will have the highest average teacher salary in the state at $64,842 and a starting teacher salary of $54,118. The new salary schedule for employees is just one of many efforts the school system is implementing to assist in retaining and recruiting the best teachers and employees in Louisiana and the southern region.

“Both public and private entities are facing staffing shortages at every level, and the field of education is no exception. While we are grateful our employees have stepped up to fill in gaps and taken on additional duties due to staffing shortages, we must be able to sustain a stable workforce that enables our students to receive an uninterrupted, exceptional education,” said School Board President Al Suffrin.

By increasing SCPPS employee salaries and substitute pay rates, St. Charles Parish Public Schools will position itself to be competitive among not only other school systems, but businesses as well.

Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling said, “I would like to thank our School Board Members for their support and approval of these significant financial incentives which will further set us apart from others. This is a considerable financial commitment and investment in our employees by the School Board. We, as well as our community, have high expectations for our school system and expect the best for our students. Therefore, our compensation should reflect this expectation.”

St. Charles Parish Public Schools Employees have navigated through some of the most challenging times in school system history the past two years facing obstacles due to COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida. In addition, the school system, like others, is facing increasing challenges with filling position vacancies.

“While compensation is one measure to attract and retain the best employees, we also know engagement, work environment, resources and benefits are as important. Students cannot go without the quality services they need in order to be successful. We must continue to look for ways to attract future teachers and employees to the already difficult field of education which has experienced a significant decrease in those choosing to enter the profession,” said Dr. Oertling. “We will do everything within our power to provide a stable and solid workforce that serves our students and community.”

“I would like to thank our employees for their hard work, detailed planning, innovative approaches, caring attitudes, and the many daily sacrifices they make to provide our students with high-quality educational opportunities,” added Dr. Oertling.

Details regarding the payments and the 10% permanent pay raise are outlined below.

ONE-TIME PAYMENTS:

• All 2021-2022 SCPPS full-time and permanent part-time employees will receive a $1,500 one-time payment at the end of May 2022.
• All 2022-2023 SCPPS full-time and permanent part-time employees will receive a $2,000 one-time loyalty/recruitment payment in October 2022.

PAY RAISE:

• All SCPPS full-time and permanent part-time employees will receive a 10% pay raise beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. Any state-funded pay increase will be in addition to this district-funded pay raise.

About St. Charles Parish Public Schools:

The mission of St. Charles Parish Public Schools is to develop empathetic, involved, productive, and responsible citizens by providing every student high-quality educational opportunities that empower each to become enthusiastic life-long learners. For more information, visit www.stcharles.k12.la.us, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Vimeo or download the mobile app.