HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -
Just a few days into the 2013
legislative session and at the top of Governor Phil Bryant's legislative agenda
is merit pay for teachers.
The governor suggests the legislature change the Mississippi
law and start paying teachers for quality and not just longevity.
"We need merit pay to make sure that if you've got a
teacher who is being exceptional, reward that teacher," said Governor Phil
Bryant.
Bryant believes teachers should receive cash rewards
for their high performance and is asking the legislature for $2,000,000 to fund
a pilot program for a performance-based pay system.
Clarksdale, Gulfport, Rankin County and Lamar
County have been chosen to take part in the pilot program.
"We got a call from the
governor's office, and asked if we wanted to be one of them and we said
absolutely," said Lamar County School District Superintendent Ben Burnett.
The pilot program allows the school districts to design
their own system to reward teachers for their high performance.
"We've
identified a representative from each faculty in Lamar County, so we'll have
every school represented to come together and give us their input about how they
think it should be designed," said Burnett.
Being one of four school districts chosen, Lamar
County is excited and hopes the pilot program gets funded.
"I think it'll be a reward, and not that
money is the best thing in the world, but I think that it at least shows
teachers that we value those who go above and beyond," said Burnett.
If funded, teacher's performance will be
based on the entire 2013 – 2014 school year.
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