Texas House Bill HB1413

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 11/19/24

Caption

Relating to the salary and wages paid to public school employees.

Impact

The implications of HB1413 are significant in terms of public school funding and employee retention. By guaranteeing a minimum salary for essential educational roles, the bill is designed to improve staff morale and potentially reduce turnover among educators, librarians, and counselors. Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision for additional state aid for school districts, which can utilize this funding to increase salaries for these key professionals. This could be particularly beneficial in districts that struggle with budget constraints, enabling them to attract and retain qualified staff.

Summary

House Bill 1413 addresses the salaries and wages of public school employees, specifically targeting classroom teachers, librarians, counselors, and nurses. The bill mandates that, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, eligible employees are entitled to a monthly salary that meets or exceeds the salary they would have received under their district's salary schedule for the previous year, plus an additional stipend of $400. This provision aims to ensure that public school employees are compensated fairly relative to their previous earnings, promoting salary continuity as they transition into the new fiscal period.

Contention

While the bill is largely aimed at improving compensation for public school employees, there may be points of contention regarding funding. Critics may voice concerns over the sustainability of the additional state aid and whether it adequately addresses the needs of all school employees in the state. Some may argue that the bill could inadvertently create financial challenges for districts that already face budgetary restrictions or result in an inequitable distribution of funding, depending on local economic conditions. Ultimately, the success of HB1413 will depend on the continued support for education funding at the state level and the balanced allocation of resources across districts.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 21. Educators
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 48. Foundation School Program
  • Section: New Section