Mississippi News
Most Mississippi state employees eligible for January pay raise
Most Mississippi employees eligible for January pay raise under new salary classification system
About 19,000 of the 24,000 Mississippi state employees who fall under the state Personnel Board guidelines will be eligible for a pay raise of up to 3% in January.
About $7 million for the pay raise was appropriated earlier this year during the 2021 legislative session. Agency heads were given discretion on whether to actually award the raises, though legislative leaders made it clear at the time that the money was appropriated to provide state employee salary increases. The pay raise will be the first enacted under the Personnel Board's new salary classification system called “Project SEC2.”
“What we are trying to do is give agencies more flexibility to manage the dollars they receive (in legislative appropriations) for state employees,” Kelly Hardwick, executive director of the state Personnel Board, said Monday during a news conference with journalists.
Project SEC2 replaces the state's old compensation classification system that was put in place in the 1980s. Hardwick said it was a good system when enacted, but through the years has become too burdensome to be effective.
The new system will provide “more accountability and… be more functional and transparent for the Legislature, agencies and state employees,” Hardwick said.
In developing the system, Hardwick said the Personnel Board received input from most of the state employees who fall Personnel Board guidelines.
“We asked them what they did,” he said. Then taking that information and working with experts, the Personnel Board classified the state employees and developed “a market” minimum and maximum salary range for each classification. The market value is determined by looking at similar job classifications outside of state government.
Under the old system, there were 114 classifications in law enforcement. Under the new system, there are 10 classifications.
The research found that information technology workers, nurses and accountants are in the state employee classifications that are generally the most underpaid.
Hardwick said employees who are below the minimum market values (19,293 of the 24,816 employees) will be eligible for a pay raise of up to 3%, based on the legislative appropriation. Those who are not eligible already are paid at least at minimum market value.
READ MORE: Personnel Board determining how to award pay raises after 2021 session
The legislation enacting the pay raise did not mandate that the agencies provide the 3% raise, but the general belief is that because that was legislative intent, most agency directors will award the raise.
Employees who fall under Personnel Board guidelines are generally those who are non-political appointees, meaning their jobs are not tied to election outcomes. Teachers and university and community college faculty also are not under the Personnel Board.
The average salary of state employees in Mississippi is $41,260 compared to $52,351 in the four contiguous states.
Getting all state employees up to the market minimum under Project SEC2 would take $53 million — and about $23 million would come from the general fund. The rest of the funds would come from agencies funded by specific fees or taxes.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Lafayette softball shuts out New Hope in game one of 5A quarterfinals
SUMMARY: Lafayette softball defeated New Hope 3-0 in game one of the 5A quarterfinals, with Mabry Claire Eason pitching a complete game shutout. Tashika Carothers hit a shallow fly ball to center field, scoring Eason and Mary Madison Kelley to get the Commodores' bats rolling early. The two teams will meet again in the next game, where Lafayette can clinch a spot in the semifinals with a win while New Hope is in a win or go home situation. The game is set for Saturday at 6 PM at Lafayette.
The post Lafayette softball shuts out New Hope in game one of 5A quarterfinals appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Medicaid expansion efforts collapse in Mississippi
SUMMARY: Efforts to expand Medicaid to 200,000 Mississippians died during the 2024 Legislative Session due to breakdown in negotiations between House and Senate leaders. A new proposal for a ballot referendum was introduced, causing a compromise measure to fall apart. The compromise would have provided healthcare coverage to those making up to 138% of the federal poverty level, with a work requirement. House Democrats opposed the measure, and there were doubts about the Senate's approval. Mississippi remains one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid. Both House and Senate leaders have indicated that Medicaid expansion may be considered in the future.
The post Medicaid expansion efforts collapse in Mississippi appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
CMSD announces plans to “repurpose” Franklin, Fairview schools
SUMMARY: The Columbus Municipal School District is implementing changes to historic schools, including repurposing Franklin Academy and Fairview Elementary. The specific plans for repurposing are unclear, but it will involve closing the campuses as schools. Elementary grades will be consolidated into three schools, while Hunt School is being rebuilt and will house sixth graders and partner with educational programs. Superintendent Dr. Ellis anticipates completion of construction at Hunt by January and does not foresee staff reductions. The district is also considering partnerships with The W and EMCC for additional educational programs at Hunt.
The post CMSD announces plans to “repurpose” Franklin, Fairview schools appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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