Tonight, in yet another extraordinary commitment to educators and support personnel,
the Bossier Parish School Board unanimously approved a second pay raise in just over a
year that will go into effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year. This permanent
increase is unrelated to pending state legislation for educator pay raises, and will bring
starting teacher pay in Bossier Parish to $53,509.

The increase to the two permanent supplements that passed will be factored into the
salary schedule and retirement benefits for every full-time employee throughout the
district. A “Back to School” check that is a permanent stipend is being bumped up from
$725 to $1,000 across the board. All full-time employees will receive the money via
direct deposit on August 25.

In addition, what is referred to as the “13th check,” paid the Friday before Thanksgiving
break, is being doubled and will remain permanent. Educators and certificated staff will
go from receiving $600 to $1,200; support personnel will see theirs go from $350 to
$700. The pay increases are being funded as a result of the state retirement system
rate going down and the Bossier Parish School Board redirecting the savings to its
employees.

This move comes on the heels of board action taken in April 2025 to raise teacher pay
by $2,500 and adjust the support personnel pay scale by 4.75-percent. This move
further hikes starting teacher pay in Bossier Parish to $53,509 in 2026-27, reflecting
another $875 increase.

“The board’s commitment to our Bossier Parish school community to reimagine teaching
and learning has never been more evident than tonight,” said Bossier Schools
Superintendent Jason Rowland. “This is why Bossier Parish is the place to be, because
we know every individual in our school system plays a role in educating children where EverythingMatters.”