SRC-JJJ S.B. 856 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 856
76R7516 ESH-DBy: Shapleigh
Education
4/6/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas ranks 38th in the nation among teacher salaries.
Increasing the salaries of classroom teachers would make those positions
more attractive and improve the state's ability to attract and retain good
teachers.  S.B. 856 would establish additional funding to school districts
for teacher salaries. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 856 establishes additional funding to school districts
for teacher salaries. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION
1 (Section 21.4031(e), Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 21I, Education Code, by adding Section 21.4031,
as follows: 

Sec. 21.4031.  SALARY SUPPLEMENT.  Entitles each school district, from
funds appropriated for the purpose, to an annual allotment equal to $6,000
for each full-time equivalent classroom teacher.  Entitles each full-time
classroom teacher to a salary supplement from the allotment in the amount
of $5,500.  Entitles a part-time classroom teacher a salary supplement
proportionate to the percentage of full-time worked by the teacher.
Authorizes the balance of the district's annual allotment to be used by the
district to pay certain additional salary allotments.  Provides that a
salary supplement is not considered in determining whether the district is
paying a teacher the minimum monthly salary.  Authorizes the commissioner
of education to adopt rules as necessary. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999-2000
school year. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.