Caddo School Board approves employee stipend and raises superintendent pay

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Financial decisions impacting the future of education were made in Caddo Parish Tuesday. The school board approved a one-time stipend for all employees and passed a pay raise for the superintendent.

District officials said eligible employees will receive a one-time stipend of at least $1,000, with payments scheduled to be made on or before August 15. Employees on a salary grade with starting pay below $30,000 will receive an additional $500, bringing their total stipend to $1,500.

Board member Jessica Yeates introduced the motion to give Caddo school staff more money from existing 2026 funds.

“To recommend a $1,000 stipend for all employees to be paid on or before August 15, 2026. Additionally we are recommending that all employees who are on a salary grade where step zero pay is under $30,000 receive an additional $500. This stipend will be paid to all employees who were employed and eligible for benefits on August 6, 2026 and those employees who retired after fulfilling their 2025, 2026 contract days,” said Yeates, District 11.

The agenda item was supported by the local teacher’s federation, and the one-time, $1,000 stipend passed unanimously.

“That is an opportunity to make up for the lower paid employees in our district,” said Carl McDaniel, President of the Caddo Federation of Teachers.

The school board previously approved a 6% across-the-board pay raise during June’s meeting. Superintendent Keith Burton stated they waited on guidance from Governor Jeff Landry’s executive order before asking for the stipend.

“Now we have received the guidance. Our chief financial officer has reviewed it, our board attorney has reviewed it, staff has approved it. Because of that we are asking you to consider bringing that motion back and allowing staff to receive the bonus that we had proposed via Mrs. Yates agenda item last month,” Burton said.

The board also unanimously passed the raise to apply to Burton citing his role as an employee and to follow legal compliance.

“The reason why is you don’t want to have a contract that is contrary to what the board’s motion was,” stated the board’s legal counsel.

Burton’s raise did prompt discussions of pay equality for both local staff, and how his salary stacks up to superintendents across the state with less student populations.

“It was in the budget for the superintendent to have the raise. We approved that budget last month. Our superintendent’s salary is still below other districts even after the 6% raise. The superintendent is still below all the other large districts in Louisiana,” said Dottie Bell, District 12.

District officials said the employee stipend passed today is a part of $7 million plan, making it the second major investment in employee compensation this summer. Payments are expected on or before August 15. Employees who retired after their 20-25, 20-26 contract are eligible.

“This is another important investment in the people who make the work of Caddo Schools possible,” Superintendent Keith Burton said. “With the 6% pay raise approved in June and now this stipend, the Board has demonstrated a clear commitment to recognizing employees and strengthening our ability to recruit and retain outstanding people. Our employees have remained focused on students while patiently waiting for the district to receive the guidance necessary to move forward, and we are pleased these funds will reach them as soon as possible.”

The stipends will be provided to employees who are employed by Caddo Schools and eligible for benefits as of August 6. Yeates said the stipend recognizes employees for their service and contributions.

“The success of this district begins with the people who show up every day for our students,” Yeates said. “After approving a 6% pay raise in June, this stipend allows us to build on that commitment and provide another meaningful investment in our staff.”

The estimated $7 million cost will be paid from the district’s anticipated 2025-26 surplus.

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