The proposed bill would update current statutes by mandating that school districts and charter schools revise their salary schedules to increase the base salary of all eligible teachers, contingent upon voter approval of an increase to the Permanent State School Fund's annual distribution rate. It specifies that the base salary for eligible teachers must not fall below the FY 2026 base salary reported to the Arizona Department of Education. The bill also defines "eligible teacher," includes provisions for both current and future teachers, and excludes administrators and those in the lowest performance classifications. Additionally, it establishes a Teacher Pay Fund, outlines the Arizona Department of Education's responsibilities in administering the fund, and requires annual reporting on fund expenditures. Furthermore, the bill proposes updates to section 15-132 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding the issuance of temporary certificates to exchange teachers and professors. It will replace the term promulgated with adopted and add or PROFESSOR to clarify that the certification provisions apply to both exchange teachers and professors. This change aims to ensure inclusivity in the certification process while maintaining compliance with the board's existing rules.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-132