EBR school board to address budget, consider layoffs and pay raises for teachers, staff

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — The new school year starts in over a month for East Baton Rouge Parish as school board discussions over staffing, pay and the budget continue in a special meeting Thursday evening.

The school district sent letters to employees dated Monday, June 26 saying to prepare for layoffs.

The forecasted amount of expenditures exceeds revenue, which makes it necessary to eliminate employment positions in the General Fund budget for the 2023-2024 school year.

Dr. Narcisse, Superintendent of Schools, has proposed a budget that eliminates positions and reduces the number of employees. Therefore, it is my responsibility to give notice ot all employees that there is a possibility that your position will be affected.

If so, you will be notified at a later date by a specific notice.

Nicholas Hall, EBRSS chief human resources officer

In addition to a reduction in force, district employees were previously promised pay raises that might not be an option for all employees.

Four drafts of the budget are available:

1. An 8% salary increase
2. A one-time $2,000 stipend
3. A one-time $3,000 stipend
4. A three-year salary supplement

Superintendent Sito Narcisse wants to increase employees an 8% pay raise, but school board Vice President Carla Powell wants that increase to be for some and not all. Powell and board member Cliff Lewis said there is not enough money in the budget to give raises to teachers and staff, leaving many people frustrated.

“We do not have money for the increasing rates, we have enough to cover this year, but we do not have any idea on how to sustain it,” said school board member Katie Kennison.

The school district has held town halls with employees, and many are upset that the proposals don’t benefit everyone.

“Don’t eliminate my position as an assistant principal and then tomorrow hire me back as a dean of students because you can get me at a lower pay, that’s not OK either,” said Tomara Espinozn, a Baton Rouge teacher.

The special meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, June 29. The board will look at the general fund, the special revenue fund and budget proposals, according to the agenda.