The Natchitoches Parish School Board voted to approve an increase in resident teacher stipend at its March 14 meeting. These students do two semester and the state has allocated every district to pay $3,300. Another district started paying their resident teachers $15,000 per year and overnight the number of applicants dropped 66% (20 last year to 3 this year). 

In an effort to recruit and retain more resident teachers from Northwestern State University (NSU)—and be competitive with packages offered by neighboring school districts–Natchitoches Parish Schools proposes to supplement the Residency stipend provided by LDOE, raising it to $10,000 for the year of service. 

As an additional incentive to remain with Natchitoches Schools, residents who accept full-time positions with the district after graduation will be credited a one-year step on the district Salary Schedule. 

Other agenda items included:

Approve a resolution adjusting Hammonds, Sills, Adkins, Guice, Noah & Perkins to reflect the hourly rates approved by the Attorney General for employment of special counsel

Approve the bid for NPSB Warehouse Freezer/Cooler to J & J Services