SHREVEPORT, La. - More than 100 Caddo Parish school employees are celebrating a long-awaited step forward in their years-long fight over pay disparities tied to a 2013 compensation policy change, after the Caddo Parish School Board voted Tuesday to hear their grievances.
The employees argue that a shift from a salary-based system to a step-based pay structure left many veteran educators earning less than newer hires with comparable experience.
“It has come to our attention that we are not being paid at the same level as someone who might have been hired with the same experience,” said Chris Long, a 22-year Caddo Parish employee, addressing the board.
Under the current system, some longtime teachers say they were placed on lower pay steps than their years of service would suggest, resulting in pay that can fall below that of less experienced colleagues.
Maureen Barclay, a Caddo Parish librarian, told board members her placement on the pay scale does not reflect her tenure. “Dr. Vinson, I’m on step 16,” she said. When asked by Caddo School Board member Dr. Terence Vinson what step she believes she should be on, Barclay responded, “Step 20.”
Laney Guidry, a 23-year district employee, said the issue extends beyond individual cases and reflects a broader concern among staff. “The people behind me are some of your most tenured, most successful, most qualified teachers that are not being treated fairly,” she said.
Fred Howard, a Huntington High School teacher with 23 years in the district, questioned whether the system accurately reflects years of service. “You got people up here with, what, 30 years getting paid as a 24-year teacher? Come on, guys. Is that right?” he said. “We need to see what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”
Employees also told the board the district has been aware of the pay discrepancies for years and urged members to take corrective action.
The school board is expected to take up the grievances in September.
Originally published on ktbs.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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