Proposed bill would set a statewide minimum salary for teachers

Public school districts would pay each full-time certified teacher at least $50,000 a year. This would cover certified teachers employed full time to teach by Nebraska public school districts, regardless of experience or education. Districts could pay more and use pay schedules that reward experience, advanced education, or performance. Starting in the 2029–30 school year, the minimum would be adjusted every two years based on changes in state General Fund receipts. It could not fall below the prior year's minimum, and the adjusted amount would be rounded to the nearest $100.

The Legislature states its intent to establish quarterly block grants for public school districts. The stated plan covers grants to public school districts and changes to the state school funding system. The bill says the grants would support basic school funding and teacher salaries. Their amounts would depend on a formula set by the Legislature, using factors including student enrollment and the teacher salary minimum. The grants are described as beginning July 1, 2027. The bill states that changes to the school funding law should begin with the 2027–28 school year.

The State Board of Education would adopt rules to carry out the bill's salary and funding provisions. The rules would include ways to check district compliance and report teacher salaries and student counts.