HB 668 -- Minimum Teacher Salary Supplements

Co-Sponsors:  Shields, Naeger, Moore, Froelker

This bill revises the minimum teacher's salary program,
beginning with the 2002-2003 school year.  The current minimum
salaries of $18,000 for a beginning teacher and $24,000 for a
teacher with a master's degree and 10 years of experience are
left in place, and a new voluntary program is created with 5
tiers:  (1)  $23,000 for those with less than 5 years of
experience; (2)  $26,000 for those with at least 5 years of
experience; (3)  $29,000 for those with at least 19 years of
experience or a master's degree and at least 10 years of
experience; (4)  $35,000 for those with a master's and at least
19 years of experience; and (5)  $41,000 for those with a
master's and at least 29 years of experience.

Districts electing to participate must meet certain
qualifications, among which are the following:  (1)  an
operating levy no less than the 2000-2001 operating levy after
all reductions and rollbacks (except for those required by the
Constitution); (2)  no increase to any voluntary rollback; (3)
no fund transfers in excess of statutory limits; and (4)
certain restrictions on salary schedules and placement on salary
schedules.  The district may receive reduced minimum salary aid
under certain circumstances.  Expenditures relating to minimum
salaries must not be used to show compliance with any statute,
specifically including the certificated salary compliance
requirement.

The bill directs the General Assembly to make an annual
appropriation to the Excellence in Education Fund for paying
minimum salary supplements.  Future $1,000 increases in salary
levels are contingent upon a decrease in total state payments to
85% or less of the full-funding cost for the first school year
of full funding and will occur in the second fiscal year
following the decrease.  The bill adds a history of the cost to
the state for the minimum salary program to the existing
elements of the annual report of the Commissioner of Education
on teacher salaries.  The salary supplements are to be funded
from increases, compared to appropriations in Fiscal Year 2001,
in state revenue attributable to gaming, including boarding fees
and lottery proceeds.

The bill also defines relevant terms and requires the State
Board of Education to promulgate rules necessary to implement
the program.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated September 13, 2001 at 2:03 pm