Texas House Bill HB47

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/10/14

Caption

Relating to the salary paid to certain professional employees of public schools.

Impact

The amendments introduced by HB47 are set to affect the pay scale of public school employees by stipulating a minimum salary based on experience levels, from 0 to 20 years. This initiative seeks to enhance the compensation framework for educators and support staff, which could influence recruitment and retention efforts within Texas public schools. Furthermore, the amendments signal a commitment to providing competitive salaries in relation to national benchmarks, thereby potentially improving the overall quality of education in the state.

Summary

House Bill 47 addresses the salary structure for certain professional employees in public schools in Texas, specifically focusing on classroom teachers, full-time librarians, full-time school counselors, and full-time school nurses. The legislation proposes amendments to Section 21.402 of the Education Code, outlining the minimum monthly salary that must be paid to these professionals. This bill aims to establish a more systematic approach to salary determination, influenced by years of experience and in alignment with national averages for educational professionals.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to standardize salaries across school districts, there are possible points of contention regarding its implementation. Critics may highlight concerns related to funding capabilities of various school districts, as some may struggle to meet the mandated salary increases. Additionally, the bill's reliance on a commissioner to set salary schedules annually could raise issues about centralizing authority versus allowing local control. The dialogue surrounding HB47 may reflect broader debates about educational funding adequacy and fairness in compensating public school professionals.