This bill establishes a new minimum salary schedule for certified personnel in Oklahoma public schools, effective from the 2026-2027 school year. The schedule outlines specific salary amounts based on years of experience and educational qualifications, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Additionally, the bill introduces layered compensation for hard-to-fill positions, offering a 5% salary increase for teachers in districts with high vacancy rates or in critical subject areas. It also provides stipends for teachers who obtain certifications in high-demand subjects and recognizes teaching experience from out-of-state and out-of-country schools, with certain conditions.

Furthermore, the bill repeals a previous section of law related to the minimum salary schedule and includes provisions for notifying teachers about retirement benefits that may affect their salaries. It specifies that the State Board of Education must accept certain teaching experiences and outlines the recognition of experience for various educational roles, including those in correctional facilities and vocational rehabilitation. The bill emphasizes that the minimum salary schedule does not apply to retired teachers who have returned to work and mandates that salary increases be provided to specific instructional employees in technology centers and correctional facilities. An emergency clause is included, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon passage.