Georgia Senate Bill SB530

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/24
• Refer: 2/21/24

Caption

"Quality Basic Education Act"; the placement of certificated professional personnel on the state minimum salary schedule; provide

Impact

The legislation will impact state education funding by requiring the General Assembly to annually allocate funds to support the minimum salary schedule. This could lead to more equitable salary distributions among teachers across Georgia, aligning their compensation with that of recent graduates entering similarly qualified positions in other sectors. It promotes the idea that well-qualified teachers should be compensated in accordance with their educational background and experience, which might attract more professionals into the teaching field.

Summary

Senate Bill 530 seeks to amend the Quality Basic Education Act by establishing a state minimum salary schedule for certificated professional personnel in Georgia. The bill mandates that local units of administration must compensate certified teachers at least the minimum salaries determined by the State Board of Education. The intent is to create a more standardized compensation framework that accounts for teacher qualifications and experience levels, thereby promoting fairness and consistency across the state education system.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding SB530 may arise from how the minimum salary schedule is implemented, particularly regarding teacher evaluations. The bill stipulates that educators cannot receive credit for their experience if they receive ineffective performance evaluations, which could lead to disputes over evaluation standards. Additionally, there's a provision stating that as of July 1, 2025, placement on the salary schedule will not factor in leadership degrees unless they are coupled with state-approved leadership preparation programs. This could generate pushback from educators who believe their qualifications should be recognized in salary determinations, regardless of the date of their degree.