79R963 SLO-D

By:  Staples                                                      S.B. No. 64 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the minimum salary for public school teachers, 
librarians, counselors, and nurses.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 21.402, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
	(i)  From funds appropriated for the purpose, the 
commissioner shall distribute to each school district for each 
school year sufficient funds to pay each classroom teacher, 
full-time librarian, full-time counselor certified under 
Subchapter B, or full-time school nurse $200 for each month of the 
person's contract.  Funds a teacher, librarian, counselor, or nurse 
receives under this subsection are not considered in determining 
whether the district is paying the minimum monthly salary under 
this section.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, 
as long as a classroom teacher, full-time librarian, full-time 
counselor certified under Subchapter B, or full-time school nurse 
is employed by the same district, the teacher, librarian, 
counselor, or nurse is entitled to a monthly salary in an amount at 
least equal to the per month distributions under this subsection, 
the gross monthly salary the teacher, librarian, counselor, or 
nurse received for the 2004-2005 school year, and any increases in 
that salary the district is to pay under the district's salary 
schedule.  Funds distributed to a school district under this 
subsection are in addition to any funding the district receives 
under Chapter 42 or from any other source.  If state funds are 
appropriated but are insufficient to fully fund this subsection, 
the commissioner shall reduce the amount distributed to each 
district under this subsection and the district shall reduce the 
amount the district pays to each teacher, librarian, counselor, or 
nurse from funds distributed under this subsection proportionately 
so that each teacher, librarian, counselor, or nurse receives the 
same amount from funds distributed under this subsection.  A 
decision of the commissioner concerning the amount of money to 
which a school district is entitled under this subsection is final 
and may not be appealed.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2005-2006 
school year.       
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.