Assumption School Board Approves Higher-Paying Salary Schedule for Teachers and Staff

The Assumption Parish School Board recently approved a new salary schedule that significantly improves the salaries of certified and noncertified employees,making their pay more competitive with neighboring school systems.

The new salary schedule was developed as a result of a district-wide compensation study completed during the 2024-2025 school year by Lean Frog, a national education consulting firm that reviews the financial and organizational structure of school systems to improve collaboration and performance and reduce costs. Lean Frog recommended improvements to make Assumption Parish Schools more competitive with its peer school systems.

“This process started nearly two years ago and has undergone much review and public input to ensure we address our most critical pay structure needs. We are very appreciative of the work that has gone into this plan and to our board members for investing in our most valuable assets – our employees,” said Superintendent Dr. John Barthelemy.

Under the new salary schedule, a beginning teacher with a bachelor’s degree will be paid $48,900, up from the current starting salary of $43,700.

At the same time starting rates for staff positions will increase to levels that are competitive to peer school districts. For example, starting salaries for bus operators will increase to $21,638, up from $19,671, and starting pay for custodians will jump to $25,130, up from $22,239.

The new salary schedule, which goes into effect July 1, 2026, reflects approximately a $1 million increased investment in teacher and staff pay across the district. The increased budgetwill be managed primarily through attrition and other district savings.

The Lean Frog analysis determined Assumption Parish Schools is operating well below the peer average for starting pay levels of more than 10 percent. The consulting team focused much of its comparison with peer school systems in Ascension Parish, Iberville Parish, Lafourche Parish, St. James Parish, St. Mary Parish and Terrebonne Parish.