Bossier School Board Proposes Big Pay Raise for Teachers, School Workers [VIDEO]

Bossier Parish Superintendent of Schools Scott Smith talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about a school board proposal for a major pay increase for teachers and support personnel.

Smith tells KEEL listeners that "last Thursday night the board made an historic vote to give a significant pay increase to our educators. All of our employees in our school system would (receive) a straight $7,200 pay increase for professional employees and $3,000 for our support employees."

Smith, who says the raises are necessary for the parish to be competitive in the hiring and keeping of top-notch educator, adds that citizens will vote on a new property tax millage in early May. If the measure passes, homeowners with a property value of $250,000 paying an additional $33 monthly.

In a post-interview text, Smith told KEEL that he will not take a pay increase: "Just want to be on the record that I, as superintendent, will not accept any part of the pay raise, if approved by the voters."