News | Livingston Federation of Teachers and School Employees

The Sales Tax Failed, But the Fight Isn't Over

Livingston teachers and school employees are overdue for a raise. This weekend, voters had the opportunity to pass a one-cent sales tax that would result in a 10% raise for LPSB employees. Despite widespread support from employees in the district, the measure failed by 1,374 votes. Out of a total of 86,400 registered voters in Livingston Parish, only about 20% cast a vote.

While the ballot measure failed, the underlying issues remain. Livingston parish teachers and school employees are paid less than those in neighboring parishes. Our best educators are being recruited by those neighboring

Teachers' working conditions are students' learning conditions. When teachers and staff are under-resourced, over-worked and over-stressed, it impacts their students. Policymakers have an obligation to support teachers and school support staff because they are the ones who ensure our children get a quality education. Too often, the working conditions of teachers and support staff are not conducive to learning. Do you get the time you need to prepare for class and tend to your own needs? Are you getting the professional autonomy you deserve? Does the PD at your school help you become a better educator? We want to hear from you! Tell us about the working conditions in your school. Your responses on this survey are anonymous and will inform our legislative agenda, policy positions, and political endorsements. MORE

VOTE: March 25th

Tomorrow is ELECTION DAY!

On Saturday, March 25th Livingston Parish voters will have the opportunity to pass a one-cent sales tax that will fund a 10% pay raise for Livingston Parish School Board employees. This would be the first sales tax dedicated to raises in Livingston since 1987.

Polls open Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

If you are unsure of your polling location, or you want to find more information about the questions on your ballot, please visit the Voter Portal or geauxvote.com.

Early Voting: March 11-18th

Today is the first day of Early Voting! Livingston voters will have the chance to pass a one-cent sales tax that will fund a 10% pay raise for Livingston Parish School Board employees. This would be the first sales tax dedicated to raises in Livingston since 1987. The following locations serve as early voting locations in Livingston Parish: Denham Springs-Walker Branch 8101 US Hwy. 190 Denham Springs, LA 70706 Livingston Registrar of Voters 20400 Government Boulevard Livingston, LA 70754 Early voting polls are open from 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. MORE

What unions do

In AFT President Randi Weingarten’s latest New York Times column, she describes what it is exactly that unions do. Though unions are the most popular they have been in decades, anti-union sentiment still thrives in red states and across the nation. “Several years ago, The Atlantic ran a story whose headline made even me, a labor leader, scratch my head: ‘Union Membership: Very Sexy,’” Weingarten writes in the column. “The gist was that higher wages, health benefits and job security—all associated with union membership—boost one’s chances of getting married. Belonging to a union doesn’t actually guarantee happily ever after, but it does help working people have a better life in the here and now.” Click through to read the full column.

Recruitment & Retention Survey

In school districts across the state there are vacancies. Teacher vacancies, para vacancies, food staff, custodians, bus drivers, nurses – schools across the state can’t find the staff that they need. Educators are leaving the profession or moving to other districts that offer better pay and working conditions. Louisiana needs to do more to keep these valuable teachers and staff in our schools. Policy makers at all levels of government are trying to find solutions, but they are missing the most obvious piece: ask the teachers and school employees. We want to hear from you about what you think would help end Louisiana's school staffing shortages. Have you ever considered leaving? What makes you think about quitting? What makes you stay? MORE

School Safety Survey

The second survey in LFT’s Six Weeks Six Surveys campaign asks teachers and school employees about their experience with School Safety. Unfortunately, in many schools, safety for staff and students is a serious concern. Dilapidated and moldy buildings can cause long term health problems. Teachers and support staff face regular violence. For some, body armor is a normal part of their daily uniform. Students who need increased emotional support aren't getting the help they need and teachers are spending valuable educational time dealing with student behavior issues. LFT is fighting for policies that keep students and staff safe. We need to hear from you about the solutions you want to see. MORE

BESE Finalizes MFP Proposal: Raises vs. Stipends

Today, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education finalized their MFP Proposal – the funding formula for Louisiana Public Schools. LFT president Larry Carter testified before the board, highlighting the concerns of thousands of educators across the state who often consider leaving their job because of low pay and substandard working conditions. He asked the Board to improve upon what was recommended by the MFP Task Force and the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and boost funding for teacher and school employee raises. He asked the board to pass a raise of at least $4,000 for teachers and $2,000 for school support staff. With little discussion and no debate, the Board passed the MFP proposal recommended by LDOE. This MFP proposal would give teachers a $2,000 raise as well as certain teachers a $1,000 stipend (the stipend would apply to teachers who are in a critical shortage area, rated highly effective, working in high needs schools and/or those working as part of the teacher leadership team). Despite some media reports, this is not a $3,000 pay hike. A stipend isn’t guaranteed from one year to the next and it could be taken away for any number of reasons. MORE

Compensation Survey

Last year, Louisiana passed a $1,500 raise for teachers and $750 for school support staff. It was an historic raise by Louisiana standards, but still significantly lower than increases passed in neighboring states. At the same time, LDOE passed a bill that forces teachers to pay a fee for a duplicate background check and the Office of Group Benefits increased premium costs, again. LFT is already working to pass another pay increase. One that will actually make a difference in the lives of our teachers and school employees, but we want to hear from you! Low pay is not the only thing driving teachers and school employees away from our classrooms, but it is an important factor. We want to hear about your experience. How have recent increases to insurance costs impacted your take home pay? How has inflation and increased costs of living impacted your ability to stay in this job? MORE

Livingston School Employees Overwhelmingly Support Sales Tax

The Livingston Federation of Teachers and School Employees has conducted a survey of Livingston Parish School Board Employees to assess their support of the proposed sales tax. The one cent sales tax will come before Livingston voters on March 25^th, and would result in a 10% raise for the teachers and school employees of the Livingston Parish School Board.

Over 80% of the employees surveyed said they support the proposed sales tax and 88% of employees plan to vote in the March 25^th election. The overwhelming majority of employees who support the proposal pointed towards the need for raises