Senate sends teacher paycheck measure to governor
The Mississippi Senate voted 48-0 Friday for a bill meant to ensure teachers get a full August paycheck, though local school board representatives question its legality.
The measure now goes to Gov. Phil Bryant for his consideration. Spokeswoman Nicole Webb wouldn’t say whether he would sign it, but she said Bryant “certainly wants to be sure that teachers and school employees are paid fairly.”
The bill directs school districts to pay all employees in equal monthly installments. It’s meant to end problems created by an attorney general’s opinion saying it violates the state constitution to pay employees for work not yet performed.
The Mississippi School Boards Association has said it believes a new state law can’t overcome the constitutional hurdle, but Senate Education Committee Chairman Gray Tollison, R-Oxford, said during debate he believes the law would be constitutional and solve the problem.
A 2012 law that takes effect this fall says schools can’t start before the third Monday of August. In 2014, that means classes can’t start before Aug. 18.
Meridian Star
1/31/14
Magnolia Tribune
