Teacher merit pay in MS up for debate once again - WLOX.com - The News for South Mississippi

Governor Phil Bryant wants to raise teacher pay, but there's a catch. They would get the extra money only if their students do well on state tests. Now, raises are based on longevity.

For Francis Mitchell, out for a morning walk with his grandchildren, the idea of merit pay has merit, but so does years on the job. 

"I think the years of service and the longevity of time and the incentive to do a better job," Mitchell said. "I think it all plays a certain role, as far as, what you do and how well you perform like any job."

Cindy Brown is on her weekly grocery run. She doesn't like the idea of merit pay for a very special reason. 

"I have a special needs child myself, and her teacher goes beyond the call of duty so paying strictly on performance, I think I'm a little bit against. I would say just thinking about it," Brown said.

This is not the first time that merit pay for teachers has come up in Mississippi. It's been proposed several times in the past, but has never gone far in the state legislature. That may change though since the house has now been taken over by Republicans. It would still face a challenge though in the democratic controlled senate.

One person who wants to see a change in the system is Jody Fountain. He doesn't want teacher pay to drop off, but is all for the idea of paying more for better. 

"I think that it's an excellent idea." Fountain said. "Being paid for your performance is a much better idea than the time you've spent teaching. A good teacher should be rewarded for being a good teacher."

Rose Mentgen agreed with the concept of merit pay, but also feels that something even more important needs to change when it comes to educating children. 

"I think parents need to take a more parental role because the teachers cannot do everything," Mentgen said. "They can't teach the values that they need to be taught at home. They need to teach the things they need to learn at school."

As for how we pay our teachers, only one thing is certain right now, the debate is just beginning.

Officials with the two largest teachers unions in the state remain cool with the idea of merit pay.
They said raising overall teacher pay in the state is a top priority. Mississippi has the second lowest rate of pay in the country.

Meanwhile, four school districts in the state, including Gulfport, could take part in a merit pay trial program in the near future.

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