East Baton Rouge Parish board approves 2026–27 budget raising starting teacher pay; bus drivers seek clarity on hours

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on June 11 adopted a 2026–27 budget its superintendent called a “student first” plan that raises the starting teacher salary from $50,000 to $56,000 and funds across‑the‑district compensation increases.

Superintendent Cole presented the proposal during a public budget workshop and public hearing before the consent vote, saying the plan reflects community feedback and the district’s strategic priorities. Cole told the board the district projects a $10.8 million revenue decrease from 2025–26, driven largely by lost state stipends and continuing enrollment declines, and stressed that the plan balances one‑time investments with a desire for long‑term sustainability.

Why it matters: The budget funds raises for teachers and support staff, sets the district’s spending priorities for next year and must be submitted in detail to the state Department of Education by Sept. 30, 2026. The board voted to approve the budget as part of the consent agenda; the motion carried.

Key details and numbers presented by the district included an anticipated drop in total revenues of $10.8 million versus 2025–26; enrollment declines that the superintendent quantified as about 4.7% (1,876 students) when charter schools are included and about 13.9% (5,151 students) when charters are excluded; and a projected general fund unassigned balance of $90.1 million, an assigned balance of $35.5 million and a total fund balance near $125.6 million (about 21% of revenues, above the board’s 15% policy).

The administration also outlined major expenditure priorities the budget would support: $9.6 million for early childhood, $17.1 million for literacy, roughly $70.6 million for safety, security and facilities improvements, $18.8 million for college and career readiness and $21.8 million for compensation initiatives.

Public comment that preceded the vote focused on transportation and implementation details. Harold Greer, representing ASKME Council 17, said the union supported the increased pay but asked whether drivers who work eight hours a day will continue to be paid for eight hours after the district shifts to a six‑hour paid minimum. “If they’re working eight hours a day, they’re going to make the same rate of pay for all eight hours that they’re working,” Cole replied during the hearing.

Longtime bus operators and other commenters echoed support for higher pay while pressing the board and administration for clear, written policies on how extra time, training and intermittent duties (for example, waiting for repairs or conducting school training) will be counted and paid. One driver said some routes carry more than 70 students across multiple schools and asked the district to factor route size into decisions about hours and staffing.

Board members repeatedly thanked staff for the work to craft a budget they said restores pay and rebuilds trust with the community. Several members urged administration to provide employees with a clear notice ahead of the first payroll under the new schedules, listing each employee’s assigned step and experience year so discrepancies can be resolved promptly.

The vote: The budget and associated salary schedules were approved as part of a 12‑page consent agenda; the motion carried on the board floor.

What’s next: The district will advertise as required by law, finalize the detailed budget documents and submit the approved detailed budget to the state Department of Education prior to Sept. 30, 2026. The board directed staff to begin communications to employees this summer so workers understand step placements and when pay changes will appear in payroll.

Sources: Public hearing and board discussion at the June 11, 2026 East Baton Rouge Parish School Board meeting; direct quotes and explanations attributed to Superintendent Cole and public commenters.