HB 1694 -- Minimum Teacher Salaries

Sponsor:  Froelker

Beginning in school year 2001-2002, this bill raises the minimum
beginning teacher's salary from $18,000 to $22,000 and
eliminates the minimum salary for teachers with a master's
degree and 10 years' experience.  Minimum salaries are to be
increased by the lesser of 3% or the consumer price index each
year until they reach the national average for beginning
teachers.  Subsequent increases in the minimum must keep pace
with the national average.  The bill creates a minimum teacher
salary fund, which will supply any portion of the minimum salary
not met by the grant that qualifying districts receive and will
fulfill minimum salary requirements for districts that do not
qualify for the grant.  The appropriation to this fund must be
sufficient to ensure compliance.  The Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education will supply the difference between the
previous minimum salary and the minimum salary provided by the
bill; districts must continue to pay the minimum salary level
established for the year before they first receive money from
this fund.