Finance committee adopts 2026–27 Tangipahoa Parish school salary schedule, raises top teacher stipend to $3,000

The Tangipahoa Parish finance committee on May 19, 2026, unanimously adopted the 2026–27 salary schedule, which creates a new top stipend category for teachers, adds an extra longevity step, and revises a range of support-staff and transportation stipends.

Mr. McNeely presented the proposed schedule and said the district revised the opening paragraph to align with the new strategic plan and to reflect state rubric language. The state added a new highest rubric level, labeled in the schedule as "exemplary." Under the proposal, exemplary-certified teachers would receive stipends in four tiers: $3,000, $1,500, $1,000 and $750, and the words "effective" were removed from the "proficient" and "emerging" labels to match state terminology.

Why it matters: The schedule raises the top stipend from earlier levels that, according to staff comments, had increased from $500 to $3,000 over the last three years through successive changes. The committee also approved adding step 32 to the salary schedule to extend longevity steps for teachers.

Key changes and amounts - Teacher stipends: A new "exemplary" category with stipends of $3,000, $1,500, $1,000 and $750. Staff noted the top level rose substantially over recent years. - Step increase: The schedule adds a 32nd step to the teacher pay scale (previously capped at 31). - Differentiated pay: Language allows the superintendent to approve differentiated pay for "hard-to-staff" schools (defined in the schedule as schools with high concentrations of economically disadvantaged and identified underperforming students) based on state and local funding; any such plan will be brought to the board for approval. - Paraprofessional/'Once' instructors: A $1,000 annual effectiveness stipend for qualifying paras/instructors (evaluation threshold cited as 1.7 on the program rubric). - Pep squads: Reclassified out of the head-coach category; stipend reduced from $2,500 per semester to $750 because pep squads are not the same as cheer/dance squads. - Transportation and driver pay: - Perfect-attendance stipend restructured: perfect attendance pays $300; if a driver misses one day the payment is $175. - Bus trip pay increased to $35 per trip (up from $30). - If the driver is a full-time TPS employee already being paid for the trip (for example, a coach), the trip rate is $250 rather than the full flat rate. - Safety-stipend qualifications were changed to focus on no at-fault accidents or incidents during the semester (removing the prior supervisor write-up language). - A $150 stipend will be paid to a bus driver who oversees a new driver through the full 14-hour behind-the-wheel training once the trainee completes the hours. - Parade participation: Eligibility clarified to require participation in three parades: the Tangipahoa Parish Fair Parade, the Parade of Champions, and one local parade of the program's choosing. - Retiree stipends: Language added that employees who retire from TRSL may receive a performance stipend only if allowed by TRSL rules.

Discussion highlights and staff notes Committee members discussed whether milestone stipends (for example, recognitions at 10, 15 and 20 years of service) could help retain mid-career teachers; a member suggested studying the idea and staff agreed to consider it. Members also asked why caps for some support staff steps differed from the teacher schedule; staff explained the district has been incrementally adding steps to avoid a sudden large payroll increase for long-tenured employees.

Approval and vote Mr. Dominguez moved to adopt the salary schedule "as presented," and Mr. Anthony seconded. The finance committee took a roll-call vote: Mr. Anthony — Yes; Mr. Westmoreland — Yes; Mr. Dominguez — Yes; Mr. Moore — Yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps and procedural notes Staff said differentiated-pay plans tied to state funding will be returned to the board when details are finalized. The committee deleted a one-time state stipend previously listed on the last page; staff said it will be re-added if the state provides a new one-time payment.

Transparency note: The meeting transcript contains minor inconsistencies in how some names were transcribed (examples: the transcript alternately lists "Ms. Dominguez" and later "Mr. Dominguez," and it refers to "Dr. Purcell" and later as "Dr. Percells"). The article reflects the names as they appear in the transcript and notes the inconsistency for the record. The transcript also contains the acronym "TRSL" (Teachers' Retirement System rules) and an adjacent transcription variant "TSRL"; the committee discussion referenced TRSL rules as governing retiree stipend eligibility.

The finance committee adjourned after the vote.