The "Save Our Teachers Act" aims to significantly enhance the salaries of instructional personnel and school administrators in Florida by amending section 1011.62 of the Florida Statutes. The bill proposes to raise the minimum base salary for full-time classroom teachers from $47,500 to $65,000 and requires school districts and charter schools to create plans addressing salary compression and providing annual cost-of-living adjustments. Additionally, it mandates that school districts report their salary expenditures and submit salary distribution plans to the Department of Education by specified deadlines. The legislation also introduces performance salary schedules that include step-based salary increases and compression relief supplements, with specific salary increase requirements based on years of experience.

Moreover, House Bill 727 establishes a performance salary schedule that mandates annual salary adjustments for employees rated as effective or highly effective, along with salary supplements for assignments in Title I schools and high-demand teaching areas. The bill includes provisions for compression relief supplements for experienced personnel and retention incentives for those with significant tenure, offering $5,000 for 10 to 20 years of service and $10,000 for 20 or more years. It also ensures that any budget constraints do not disproportionately affect the performance salary schedule compared to other salary schedules. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 727 Filed: 1011.62