Teacher salaries reached the Southern regional average in 2007, but Louisiana has fallen behind, as educators receive on average 17-hundred dollars less. And with a one-billion-dollar shortfall, it’s unlikely extra money will go towards the 47-thousand public school teachers. Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers Cynthia Posey says the pay is leading to fewer teachers.
Posey says teachers are in the profession to changes lives. She says even though it isn’t all about the money, they have bills to pay and families to take care of.
Posey hopes lawmakers can stabilize the budget in the ongoing special session, so more money can be available for teachers.