BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees and the Louisiana Association of Educators announced their support for Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16, 2026 ballot.
The organizations said CA 3 creates a path to permanent salary increases for educators and school employees while protecting the retirement benefits they have earned. Under the amendment and companion legislation, savings from a one-time payment on the state’s debt to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana would be used to support permanent salary increases of $2,250 for certificated personnel and $1,125 for noncertificated personnel, plus related benefits. The groups said the amendment would also help prevent a future pay cut if temporary stipends are not renewed in later budget cycles.
“Constitutional Amendment 3 is an important step toward the permanent pay increases educators and school employees have long deserved,” said Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees. “It creates a path away from temporary stipends and toward lasting salary growth, while protecting the retirement benefits educators and retirees have earned or will earn in the future. LFT will continue fighting for educators’ salaries to reach the Southern regional average and then the national average, and for school employees to receive the compensation they deserve.”
“CA 3 is an important step toward greater stability for the people who work in Louisiana’s public schools,” said D’Shay Oaks, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators. “This amendment helps create permanent salary increases for educators and school employees while protecting earned retirement benefits. LAE and LFT will continue advocating for permanent pay increases and for educators’ salaries to reach the Southern regional average and then the national average.”
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About the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees:
With over 18,000 members, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees is the largest professional organization for educators in the state of Louisiana.
About the Louisiana Association of Educators:
The mission of the Louisiana Association of Educators is to organize and empower local associations to promote quality public schools, strengthen the education profession, and improve the well-being of members.
