House passes bill to raise minimum teacher salary

The House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously passed a measure to raise Arkansas’ minimum teacher salary by $4,000 over the next four years.

Under House Bill 1145 by Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, a starting teacher with a bachelor’s degree would make a minimum of $32,800 next year and $36,000 by 2023. That same teacher now makes $31,800 a year.

The plan is backed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who made raising the lowest level of teacher pay a pillar of his re-election campaign and legislative agenda. The executive branch has identified $60 million in state funds to help 168 public school districts meet the proposed new standard. The state has 238 districts.

“I am grateful for the support by the members in passing my priority to increase teacher pay to $36,000 over the next four years,” the Republican governor said in a statement. “Additionally, I appreciate Rep. Cozart and his tremendous work in shepherding this legislation to this point. Our teachers are truly invaluable, and today’s decision brings us one step closer to supporting our educators with more equitable and competitive salaries. I am encouraged by the momentum of the bill as it continues on to the Senate.”

Arkansas’ bottom teacher salary remained stagnant from 2009-15, but lawmakers have increased the minimum teacher salary schedule each of the last four years.

The state’s minimum teacher salary schedule ranks in the middle among southern states, but under HB1145, only Alabama would have a higher minimum teacher salary range. The raises will be reflected throughout the minimum salary schedule for teachers of all experience levels.

In his floor speech, Cozart noted that 67 public school districts here already pay teachers salaries above the minimum schedule, and those districts won’t be affected by his legislation, which passed in the House 91-0.

He added that some superintendents are concerned about how to pay the higher salaries down the road. Financially depressed districts will receive money from the state on an as-needed basis to implement the raises, but those districts will remain on the hook to pay the increased amount after the state money runs out in four years.

Cozart promised to work with lawmakers over the next four years to ensure that state funding for teacher salaries is increased.

“I will not let them down,” Cozart said from the well of the House.

Hutchinson said he had no concerns about continued funding beyond the fouryear period contemplated in Cozart’s legislation.

“It will be a continued part of the Adequacy Committee’s discussions and recommendations well after the four years has passed,” Hutchinson said, referring to the panel of legislators who review Arkansas’ public school funding needs every two years.