Caddo Parish board approves 6% pay raise after tense debate; one‑time stipend deferred pending state clarification

The Caddo Parish School Board voted June 16 to adopt its proposed 2026–27 consolidated annual budget, including a permanent 6% pay increase for all employees, after hours of public comment and extended debate among board members.

The vote came after more than a dozen public commenters — including paraprofessionals, bus drivers, teachers and union leaders — urged the board to focus raises on lower‑paid staff, correct long‑standing step inequities and provide clearer timelines for payments. John Tavian Kelly, who spoke during the budget hearing, said the 6% proposal “is a major step forward” but warned that a flat percentage favors higher earners and urged consideration of a floor‑and‑cap approach that would boost the lowest paid workers more directly.

The board’s approval follows a contentious discussion over a proposed one‑time stipend for lower‑paid employees that staff had packaged as part of the budget. Superintendent Keith Burton told the board the district would "pull the one‑time stipend until we receive official notification from the governor's office" that the district’s plan meets the intent of Executive Order 26‑047 and that any state adjustments or backfill are formalized in writing. Burton said staff and counsel consulted legislators, the legislative auditor and the governor’s office before recommending the cautious approach.

Why it matters: The 6% raise is the board’s first districtwide permanent increase in nearly a decade and affects classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians and central office employees. Public commenters and union representatives praised the raise while pressing the board to correct salary‑step inequities that they said depress veteran teachers’ pay and retirement calculations.

What the board decided: The adopted budget includes the 6% across‑the‑board raise and funds to support district priorities. The one‑time June stipend that staff had proposed for lower‑paid employees was postponed; the superintendent said he will convene a special meeting and seek the board’s approval on the stipend as soon as written clarification is received from state officials.

Key voices and exchange: Carlos McDaniel, a teacher and president of the KTO Federation of Teachers, thanked the board for the raise but asked that next steps include correcting salary steps for roughly 800 affected teachers. Jackie Lansdale, a regional labor representative, urged a compensation study to evaluate structural inequities.

Several board members pressed for more time to analyze budget scenarios and suggested alternatives — for example, raising the percentage but capping the dollar increase for higher earners or guaranteeing a minimum dollar increase for lower paid staff — but those amendments did not pass. Dr. Terrence Vincent moved to postpone the vote to June 23 to allow further work sessions and additional clarifications; that motion failed.

The board also adopted a separate resolution asking for formal clarification about Executive Order 26‑047 and its impact on Minimum Foundation Program funding for districts that take local action to recognize and reward employees.

What’s next: The district will implement payroll changes so the permanent 6% increase is reflected in employee pay once payroll processes are updated; staff said the timing required approving the budget now to meet payroll and July pay processing deadlines. The superintendent said the stipend will be revisited immediately after the office of the governor provides written confirmation that the district’s approach meets the executive order’s criteria.

Budget action taken: The board approved the consolidated 2026–27 budget and the resolution seeking clarification on Executive Order 26‑047. The record shows motions to approve and to postpone were properly made and that the final motion to approve the budget carried.