Teacher pay raise bill advances in Mississippi Legislature

A proposal to increase Mississippi teachers pay is advancing at the state capitol.

Senate Bill 2001 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday.

The bill passed the education committee last week. It will go to the full Senate for more debate.

The bill would give certified teachers with three or more years’ experience a $1,000 pay increase. It is similar to legislation proposed last year that was stalled after the coronavirus pandemic created uncertainty about state spending.

Mississippi has had some of the lowest teacher salaries in the nation for generations.