Teachers’ raises are now just one step away from reality

Mississippi House Bill 852 was passed today, March 18, in the 2021 Regular Session of the Mississippi State Legislature. The bill, titled Teachers’ and teacher’s assistants’ salaries, provides an increase in the minimum starting salary for educators. 

In other words, teachers and assistants are another step closer to what will give most educators a  $1000 raise annually. New teachers will receive an increase of $1100 a year.

The final step is in the hands of Gov. Tate Reeves. Reeves has publicly said that he will sign any bill aimed at bridging the wage gap between Mississippi teachers and the rest of the nation.

HB 852 is very much like the bill that died last year amid the coronavirus pandemic and uncertainties with budgets and spending.

Legislators are in the final stage of a grueling three-month session, and looking forward to finalizing budgets for the fiscal year that begins June 1.