Voters in Concordia Parish have a chance to put their money where their mouth is when they go to the polls on Nov. 7.Two constitutional amendments on that ballot would allow Louisiana residents to essentially swap some of Louisiana’s sales taxes for income taxes, generating an additional $200 million for education funding.

Of that extra funding, 80 percent would go to teacher and school support worker raises.

And, if those amendments pass, proponents say Louisiana could take a serious step forward in its efforts to recruit — and keep — top quality educators in the classroom.

We agree.

Teachers in Concordia Parish — and throughout Louisiana — are passionate about their efforts to increase salaries, and the Stelly Plan, as it is dubbed, is an easy, equitable way to make some increases.

And, these increases would benefit the front-line educators — teachers and support staff — not just administrators. The increases are valuable not just because they mean more money in the pockets of educators; they show an important vote of confidence and support for the educators, and the benefits of that vote are immeasurable.

It is not a panacea, by any means. School districts will still face challenges in recruiting top-quality teachers — particularly to rural areas — in the already tight teachers’ market.

But, the Stelly Plan is a thoughtful attempt at making improvements. And it deserves our support.

We join with the teachers’ associations and educators statewide in urging voters in Concordia Parish and Louisiana to vote &uot;yes&uot; to Amendments No. 2 and 3 on Nov. 7.

You will reap the rewards in classrooms and schools across the state.