Texas Senate Bill SB95

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the salary paid to classroom teachers employed by public schools.

Impact

The implementation of SB95 would yield significant implications for state funding policies directed towards education. Specifically, the bill ensures that school districts are entitled to state aid calculated based on the number of classroom teachers employed. This aid mechanism consists of financial support for both full-time teachers and part-time employees, fostering a more equitable funding structure for schools across various districts. The effectiveness of this funding model may be contingent upon continued legislative support for state education budgets.

Summary

Senate Bill 95 (SB95) seeks to amend the Education Code concerning the salaries paid to classroom teachers employed by public schools in Texas. The primary aim of the bill is to establish a guaranteed monthly salary for teachers for the 2017-2018 school year, ensuring that their pay is not less than the amount they would have received under the previous salary schedule, alongside an additional supplement. This move is part of broader efforts to enhance teacher compensation in response to ongoing discussions about educational quality and teacher retention in public schools.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB95 reflect competing priorities in educational funding and teacher compensation adequacy. Proponents of the bill argue that by guaranteeing teachers a minimum salary, the state acknowledges the critical role educators play in shaping student success and addresses the challenges of teacher shortages. Conversely, opponents point to potential budgetary constraints and argue that such mandates could impose undue financial burdens on local school districts, inadvertently complicating their financial planning and resource allocation decisions.