Teacher pay raise bill passes

Mississippi legislators are making their opening bid on an increase in teacher pay.

The House Education Committee passed House Bill 1349 which proposes $500 increases in teacher salaries for each of the next two years.

It would also boost the long-frozen salaries of assistant teachers from $12,500 to $13,500 over the same two year period.

The bill also includes proposals to alleviate a shortage of Mississippi teachers. One part of the plan would allow retired teachers to return to work at a somewhat lower salary while still drawing state pensions.