Bill > HB551

This bill establishes significant salary improvements for public school employees in Maryland, focusing on two key provisions: setting a minimum salary and creating salary increases for certain educators. Starting July 1, 2026, all public school employees will have a minimum annual salary of $60,000. Beginning July 1, 2025, qualified educators (defined as public school employees who provide direct instruction or services to students, but excluding traditional teachers) can receive additional salary increases: $10,000 for obtaining a National Board Certification (NBC) or an alternative high-quality educator credential, and $7,000 for being assigned to a low-performing school as identified by the county board. Importantly, these salary increases are cumulative, meaning if an educator qualifies for multiple increases, they will receive all applicable amounts. The bill also ensures that educators who receive the low-performing school salary increase will continue to receive it even if the school's performance status changes. The implementation of these salary increases is contingent on approval by the Accountability and Implementation Board. The bill expands the definition of "public school employee" to include various roles across different Maryland counties, such as school nurses, JROTC instructors, and social workers, reflecting a comprehensive approach to improving compensation for educational professionals.

Budget and Finance

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0551?ys=2025RS