House Speaker Philip Gunn wants teacher raises up to $4,250 over 4 years

Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Speaker Philip Gunn, R-Clinton (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — House Speaker Philip Gunn and fellow Republicans want to give a $1,500 raise to most public school teachers over the next two years, and a projected raise of around $2,750 over the following two years, assuming money is available.

Teachers in their first five years would get the raises automatically, while those with more than five years’ experience would have to meet three of 22 criteria, ranging from certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards to sponsoring a school club.

The total plan would increase spending on teacher pay statewide by about $180 million over four years.

Gov. Phil Bryant, who has softened his stance of only supporting increases for teachers who raise student performance, says he’s willing to work with House and Senate leaders on the plan.