Speech Pathologists & Audiologists in Louisiana Schools, Inc.
P.O. Box 12177
Lake Charles, LA 70612

2001 Legislative Session Update

What are our chances for a Pay Raise?

   In 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000, the  Louisiana Legislature considered pay raises for teachers. The pay raises passed in 1996 and 1998, was tabled in 1999, and was abandoned in 2000 for lack of funds. In all these years, the original bill DID NOT INCLUDE SLPs and audiologists. Extensive lobbying in May and June resulted in our inclusion in '96 and '98, and the efforts were nerve-wracking and frustrating.
   Next year, teacher pay raises will again be considered during the legislative session (March - June, 2001). The time to work for our inclusion is NOW!

Why are we excluded?

   Simply, we have been excluded because we are classified with Psychologists, Social Workers, and Educational Diagnosticians in the personnel manual that assigns categories and accounting codes (Bulletin 1929 - LA Accounting and Uniform Governmental Handbook). There are Object Codes, which pertain to salaries, and Function Codes, which pertain to job descriptions. The Object Code for teachers is 112, but the code for therapists, counselors, and psychologists is 113. Under Function Codes, speech pathologists and audiologists are listed together (code #2150), but as a separate group from teachers.
   In our day-to-day work, that classification does not affect what we do, but when the legislature considers pay raises, they look first to the category of Teachers, including librarians, band teachers, etc. Reportedly, there are some in the legislature who do not think that we are properly certified as "teachers" because some of us hold Ancillary certificates.
   Another factor which works against us is numbers. There are probably 75,000 to 80,000 teachers in Louisiana and there are under 1,000 communication professionals. As such, we do not get much attention from the unions or the legislature, particularly if you spend your time doing your job.
   The good news is there is no vendetta against us; we are not excluded because someone hates us. The bad news is we have to work harder to get people to notice us and to respond to our needs.

What Can I Do?

   We need to start NOW and to be proactive instead of reactive, so that all members of the state legislature will be aware of us when they arrive in Baton Rouge in March.

What Do I Say?

   Sample letters are available through this link. The main thing is to explain that we work directly with children and that our work is geared toward fostering academic success.

What Else Can I Do?

   Any positive publicity or public exposure will be helpful. You may want to invite the representatives to visit your school (clear with your principal and supervisor); write a Letter to the Editor; contact your local newspaper or TV station for a feature about how wonderful your services are.

How Do I Network?

What About that Other Pay Raise?

   A special raise for teachers with National Teacher Certification was passed in 1999. We need to work with  LSHA  and  ASHA  to amend that bill to include SLP’s & A’s who hold CCCs, as was done in Mississippi. (This affects about half the SLPs in Louisiana schools).

Who Can Help Us?

   SPALS will be in regular communication with its members about this issue throughout the school year, and LSHA will also be working on this. These two organizations will cooperate for the benefit of school-based communication professionals. If you are a member of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers (LFT), please contact them also about this issue. The main emphasis of this effort, though, has to come from grass-roots SLPs and audiologists who work in schools - that means YOU!!