Improve Public Education by Improving Teacher Salaries

 

The purpose of this bill is to strengthen Minnesota’s public education system by reallocating state education funds to

provide higher salaries for public school teachers. Increasing teacher pay will attract and retain skilled educators,

improve classroom performance, and create a more positive and effective learning environment for students across the

state.

 

Public school teachers play a vital role in shaping Minnesota’s future, yet many are underpaid compared to other

professions that require similar education and experience. Low pay contributes to teacher shortages, burnout, and

turnover, which directly impacts students’ quality of learning.

By reallocating funds to prioritize teacher compensation, Minnesota will:

- Make teaching a more competitive and respected career.

- Retain experienced, passionate educators.

- Reduce class sizes and turnover by maintaining a stable teaching staff.

- Improve student achievement and overall school performance.

If teachers have higher salaries, it will encourage more good teachers to enter or stay in the profession. Having more

encouraging, engaging, and motivated teachers will lead to the same attributes being mirrored by the students in and out

of school.

 

 

Public School – Any K–12 institution operated under the jurisdiction of a Minnesota public school district.

Licensed Educator – A teacher who holds a valid Minnesota teaching license and is employed by a public school district.

Teacher Pay Enhancement Fund (TPEF) – A state-managed fund used exclusively to increase salaries for licensed educators

working in public schools.

Reallocation of Funds – The movement of existing money from non-instructional or administrative education programs to

direct teacher compensation.

 

Five percent (5%) of the Minnesota Department of Education’s administrative and standardized testing budgets shall be

reallocated annually to create and maintain the Teacher Pay Enhancement Fund (TPEF). These funds shall be distributed

directly to Minnesota public school districts and must be used solely to increase base teacher pay, not administrative

bonuses or new programs. The Minnesota Department of Education will oversee and audit all fund use to ensure compliance

and transparency.

 

Any district that misuses or redirects TPEF funds for non-salary purposes shall repay the misused amount in full and may

face a reduction in future state funding. The Minnesota Department of Education will conduct annual audits to verify

that all reallocated funds are properly used for teacher pay increases. Each district must submit a public report

annually detailing the teacher pay changes resulting from this funding.

 

 

This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to all Minnesota public schools beginning with the 2026–2027

school year.