Proposal would fund school leadership candidates and intern stipends

The state would put $5 million a year into the Principal Fellows Trust Fund. The money would support Principal Fellows candidates, including candidates in the 2028–2034 award cycle. The recurring funds would begin in the 2026–27 fiscal year.

The Commission could award developmental grants to eligible organizations or colleges. The Commission could select up to two eligible entities that did not receive Principal Fellows grants. The grants would be available only if money remains after Principal Fellows grants are awarded. Recipients could use the money for program activities, but not to cover participants' attendance and completion costs. The Commission could renew a developmental grant up to five times, based on the recipient's compliance with grant terms and performance.

The Department of Public Instruction would provide administrative interns a 10-month stipend. Eligible interns are full-time participants in an approved administrator preparation program who complete a full-time internship. The stipend would be the higher of an assistant principal's starting salary or, for a teacher serving as an intern, the salary that teacher would earn on the teacher salary schedule. Stipends depend on funds being made available. If those funds are insufficient, the Department may use money appropriated to the State Public School Fund. The Principal Fellows Program or the intern's preparation program must certify eligibility. The stipend would cover the internship's 10 months. The act would take effect July 1, 2026.