THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2632
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to teacher compensation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that teachers are one of the State's most important resources. Teachers provide to children the power of education. Knowledge and education are the basis for all things that can be accomplished in life, and provide the tools for creating a better and brighter future. The legislature recognizes that the future of Hawaii is in the hands of its children and their futures are, in no small part, in the hands of their teachers.

The legislature further finds that, despite their critical function, Hawaii's teacher salaries are among the lowest in the nation when adjusted for the State's high cost of living. In addition, teachers are not paid commensurately with their years of experience. This compression in salary schedules also leads to an exodus from the profession. This is a matter of statewide concern.

The legislature acknowledges that the contract between the Hawaii state teachers association and the board of education that is effective from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023, (contract), provides pay raises to certain teachers. While this is a step in the right direction, it is not enough to resolve the statewide issue of a shortage of qualified teachers, to which low pay substantially contributes.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to fund pay raises, commensurate with the raises afforded under the negotiated contract, for those teachers who do not receive pay raises under the contract.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to address compensation equity issues and make salary adjustments for teachers not receiving a pay increase under the contract between the Hawaii state teachers association and the board of education that is effective from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023; provided that the moneys shall not be released until a memorandum of understanding is executed between the superintendent of education and the exclusive representative of collective bargaining unit (5) regarding the salary adjustments.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Education; Charter Schools; Teacher Compensation; Salary Compression; Appropriation

Description:

Makes an appropriation to fund pay raises for certain teachers.

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