MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) announced on Tuesday, April 30, that it will invest $28.4 million toward teacher salaries in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Updated salary schedules reflecting this pay increase are included in the district's latest teacher memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was approved unanimously tonight by the MSCS Board of Education, MSCS said.
The MOU was developed following a successful Collaborative Conferencing session on April 26, 2024, with representatives from District leadership, the United Education Association of Shelby County (UEA) and the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association (MSCEA).
“No matter what my title says, I will always be a proud teacher,” said Superintendent Dr. Marie N. Feagins following the vote. “Teachers make magic happen daily in our classrooms, and it is my intention to continue to find ways to show our appreciation for their work. I am thankful for the Board’s support.”
For fiscal year 2024 and 2025 combined, the district has invested an additional $67.1 million in teacher compensation, MSCS said.
“Our teachers are a precious resource. They are worth every penny, and I am so pleased that we can enter the 2024-25 school year on great footing with this competitive compensation package,” said Board Chair Althea Greene.
The following is the average increase for teachers by degree band:
- Bachelors: $4,817.84
- Master's: 4,793.30
- EDS: $6,361.92
- Doctorate: $9,918.48
In an amendment to the MOU, the District committed to an additional pay increase annually for employees who are above step 18 (the highest step for teachers) based on the state’s approved percentage increase. This will be effective each year after the implementation year, MSCS said.
The district said it also will add two additional steps to the salary schedule for its longest-serving teachers. Teachers with 25 to 34 years of experience will be moved to step 19 and receive an additional $3,000 to their base pay. Teachers with 35 years of experience and above will be moved to Step 20 and receive an additional $4,000.