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Superintendent: district posts strong growth but awaits details on governor's pay-raise plan
Summary
The superintendent told the Natchitoches Parish School Board the governor's pay-raise package cleared but districts are waiting on LDOE to say which pay codes the smaller $168 million pot will cover; he also highlighted LEAP results showing the district's sizable gains since 2021.
The Natchitoches Parish superintendent reported July 7 that while the governor's proposed pay raises advanced, a legal challenge briefly followed and the district is waiting for guidance from the Louisiana Department of Education on which employee pay codes will receive the reduced $168,000,000 allocation.
"What we're waiting on is we're waiting on some help from LDOE to tell us exactly what this looks like," the superintendent said, adding that districts left off the list will find it "very difficult, if not impossible, for us to bridge the gap with the budget." The superintendent noted the pot was smaller than earlier statements that referenced $198,000,000 and said the difference appears to have been reallocated to certain employees rather than applied uniformly.
The superintendent also highlighted the district's recent testing gains. "LEAP scores were released this week, and... for 2 years in a row, we were one of only, I think, two or three districts that for 2 years in a row, we've been a top growth district," he said, adding the district has "grown 15 points in that 5 years," moving from 43rd to 16th in statewide academic performance.
Why it matters: school districts must know exactly which pay codes receive state supplements to budget for salary obligations this fall. The superintendent warned that until LDOE issues detailed guidance, the district cannot guarantee it can cover gaps for employees excluded from the allocation.
District next steps: the superintendent said staff will update the board once LDOE provides specific pay-code guidance, and he scheduled the 2026-27 budget presentation and related public notice for the next board meeting.
The superintendent delivered the report during the board's regular meeting; no board vote was recorded on pay-related items.
