Jackson Public School teachers and hourly staff are getting a “significant” pay increase for the 2024-25 academic year.
Per a statement from the school district, the Jackson Public School Board of Trustees approved a major increase in the local supplement added to the State of Mississippi’s minimum pay for school teachers, along with a notable pay raise for hourly-paid staff.
“I’m very excited to provide such significant salary increases for JPS team members,” Superintendent Dr. Errick L. Green said. “As we continue to strive for excellence in education, and to hold ourselves to even higher standards of service and outcomes for our scholars, it is imperative that we pay our people competitive wages. We must treat them with respect, and one of the clearest demonstrations of that respect is in the way that we compensate them.”
The raises represent the largest increase in JPS local supplement history, which is added to the state-mandated minimum salaries. Officials say the increases were made possible by the $18 million in additional revenues from the state legislature’s new funding formula, as well as savings from the district’s Optimization for Equity Plan.
For the upcoming academic year, the varying increases will be based on individual experience and certification levels. The supplement minimums, which make JPS teachers the highest paid in the Jackson metro area, are as follows:
- Teachers with 0-20 years of service: $5,000
- Teachers with 21-30 years of service: $5,250
- Teachers with over 31 years of service: $5,500
The announcement follows Governor Tate Reeves signing the state’s largest-ever teacher pay raise into law in 2022 and builds upon the momentum garnered toward improving compensation for Mississippi teachers. Hourly wages for classified staff will get a minimum raise of $2 and skilled laborers or licensed positions are poised to receive up to $7 per hour or more.
“We are grateful to the Legislature for recognizing the need to increase school funding,” JPS Chief Operations Officer Earl Burke said. “These additional dollars will directly enhance the quality of instruction and service in our District.”
