Governor Asa Hutchinson signed HB 1145 into law today, which will raise the minimum salary rates for teachers over the next four years.
Under HB 1145, also named “The Teacher Salary Enhancement Act,” a new teacher compensation schedule will be created for Arkansas teachers. New minimum salary rates will be created for teachers based on their years of experience (from 0 to 15 years of experience) and their level of education (bachelor’s and master’s degree).
For example, a teacher with zero years of experience and a bachelor’s degree will now have a salary of $32,800 for the 2019-2020 school year. By the 2022-2023 school year, a teacher with the same level of experience and education will receive a $36,000 starting salary.
At the opposite end of the pay spectrum, a teacher with 15 years of experience and a master’s degree will earn a salary of $44,950 in 2019-2020. By 2022-2023, a teacher with the same qualifications will earn a salary of $48,150.
According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the bill will increase teacher’s starting salary in 168 school districts out of 235 total school districts in the state, starting in the 2019-2020 school year.
Hutchinson praised the passage of HB 1145, saying that the bill will help teachers “start their career at a salary that better reflects the importance of the job.”
“This is an important day for Arkansas teachers, who will start their career at a salary that better reflects the importance of the job and our respect for their role in the lives of our children,” Hutchinson said. “It’s also an important day for our state as we signal yet again that Arkansas is a great place to live, to work, and to teach school. This will allow us to retain our homegrown teachers and attract talented teachers from other states.”
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Images courtesy of Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s office