The "Save Our Teachers Act" proposes significant salary enhancements for instructional personnel and school administrators in Florida by amending section 1011.62 of the Florida Statutes. The bill raises the minimum base salary for full-time classroom teachers from $47,500 to $65,000 and introduces new funding requirements to support school districts and charter schools in implementing this increase. It also addresses salary compression and mandates annual cost-of-living adjustments and longevity pay for experienced teachers. School districts will be required to develop and submit salary distribution plans to the Department of Education, which will oversee a phased implementation starting in 2024.

Additionally, the bill amends section 1012.22 to establish performance salary schedules that include step-based increases and compression relief supplements, ensuring that salary adjustments reflect instructional personnel's experience. It introduces retention incentives based on years of service, with $5,000 for 10 to 20 years and $10,000 for 20 years or more. The legislation also allows district school boards to identify additional areas of critical shortage and mandates annual audits to address salary compression issues. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, aiming to improve teacher retention and address critical shortages in Florida's education system.

Statutes affected:
S 670 Filed: 1011.62