3/6/26 Legislative Update #2: House Passes Teacher Pay Raise Bill

Educators’ voices have been heard once again, as the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a strike all amendment for SB 2103 (School Counselor Code of Ethics) this morning by a unanimous vote of 122-0. The strike all amendment passed by the House provides:

• A $5,000 teacher pay raise via an increase to the teacher salary scale set forth in state law
• A $3,000 annual salary supplement for special education instructors
• A $3,000 salary increase for assistant teachers which raises their minimum salary from $17,000 to $20,000

We are still reading the 474-page bill, but as presented on the House floor this morning the strike all amendment also:

• Addresses several tweaks to Tier 5 of PERS including returning PERS Tier 5 retirement eligibility back to 30 years, rather than 35 years as in current law
• Returns retirement eligibility for law enforcement and other first responders to 25 years
• Provides a $5,000 pay raise for school attendance officers
• Caps superintendent salaries at 250% of the salary of a licensed teacher with equivalent education, licensure, and years of experience
• Provides a $6,000 annual supplement for occupational therapists and school psychologists who have earned national certification and are serving in a local district in their area of certification
• Provides financial resources to address teacher shortages in D and F districts.

When asked on the House floor if the 474-page bill included any school choice, portability, or voucher provisions, House Education Chairman Rob Roberson assured House members that the amendment does not contain any of these measures. Our brief review of the bill this morning has found several sections of current state law related to existing dyslexia and special needs (ESA) vouchers that are brought forward, but are not amended in the strike all amendment.

SB 2103 now heads back to the Senate where that chamber can agree with the House’s amendment or invite conference to negotiate a compromise. MPE encourages you to contact your senator with your thoughts on the bill. Please also join MPE in thanking House members for their action this morning.

Special thanks to all of you who contacted your representative and/or senator, as well as the legislative leadership, and encouraged them to put politics aside in order work on a pay raise. We still have work to do but today’s action is a step in the right direction!