Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to ensure fair compensation for teachers and unlicensed school staff in Minnesota. It sets minimum salary and wage thresholds and establishes aid programs to support these financial changes, ensuring that educational staff are paid fairly and consistently across the state.

Main Provisions

• Teacher Salary Thresholds: The bill sets minimum annual salaries for full-time licensed teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Teachers with a master's degree will earn at least $80,000; those with a master's and ten years of experience will earn $100,000; and all other full-time teachers will earn a minimum of $60,000.

• Unlicensed Staff Wages: A minimum hourly wage of $25 is established for unlicensed school staff who work at least 14 hours a week and have frequent student interactions. This applies starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

• Inflation Adjustment: Both teachers' salaries and unlicensed staff wages will be adjusted periodically for inflation starting in January 2030 and every four years thereafter, based on the Consumer Price Index.

• Financial Aid for Districts: The bill provides aid to school districts to cover increased compensation costs. Each district's aid is calculated based on the difference between the new compensation thresholds and what staff were paid in 2025.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill introduces a new compensation model that requires minimum pay levels for teachers and certain unlicensed staff members, which have not previously been mandated by law.

• Establishes a systematic approach to adjust compensation for inflation, ensuring that salaries and wages remain competitive over time.

Relevant Terms

• Teacher compensation
• Unlicensed school staff
• Minimum salary and wage thresholds
• Inflationary adjustment
• Educational finance aid
• Consumer Price Index adjustments