The Jefferson Parish School Board approved a pay raise and changes to backpack and dress code policies Wednesday night, following a heated exchange between Superintendent James Gray and the board.

The school board approved the 2025-26 school year budget, which included a roughly 2% increase to the teacher pay scale and $500 salary increase for other staff. The district has seen mounting pressure from educators after an attempt to permanently raise teacher salaries with a new millage failed last December.

Under the two other policy changes, which will go into effect in August, students starting in 4th grade will no longer be allowed to use mesh bags because of security concerns, and only clear bags will be allowed. And students will be required to wear skirts no shorter than 2 inches

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