SB257 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Public education employees, salary increase, including K-12 and certain other designated education institutions, liability insurance program to be established by Finance Department in consultation with Education Department

Summary

SB257 would grant a five percent pay raise in 2016-2017 to most public education employees in K-12, certain institutes, and two-year colleges, with updated salary schedules and implementation rules.

What This Bill Does

It sets a 5% pay increase for certificated K-12 staff, Education Support Personnel, and employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and two-year postsecondary institutions for fiscal year 2016-2017, and adjusts their salary schedules accordingly. It requires local boards to reflect these increases on local schedules, allows credit for advanced degrees earned, and includes rules about part-time staff, extended workdays, and exclusions for certain local supplements. Funding comes from the Education Trust Fund, and the act specifies that the 5% increase remains in effect in subsequent years but does not authorize any additional increases beyond that amount.

Who It Affects

• K-12 certificated personnel (teachers) and K-12 education staff including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion employees in city/county school systems and the Department of Youth Services School District, who would receive a 5% pay increase and have their salary steps adjusted.
• Employees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) and employees of two-year postsecondary institutions (community/technical colleges), including certificated and education support staff, who would receive a 5% pay increase and have salary schedules adjusted.

Key Provisions

• Certificated K-12 personnel receive a five percent salary increase beginning FY2016-2017, with all steps in the State Minimum Salary Schedule increased by 5%.
• Education Support Personnel (K-12) and adult bus drivers receive a five percent pay increase starting FY2016-2017; base rates for part-time staff also increase by five percent; separate local salary schedules must be maintained for each job class.
• AIDB: certificated and education support personnel receive a five percent increase; salary schedules must be revised to reflect the increase; part-time rates increased; AIDB must maintain appropriate salary schedules and pay the increases.
• Two-Year Postsecondary Institutions: all salary schedules are revised to reflect a five percent increase for FY2016-2017; placement on schedules must consider prior public education experience; no increase beyond five percent is allowed unless provided in the act.
• Miscellaneous provisions: funding to be provided through the Education Trust Fund; extensions beyond 187 days require pro rata increases; local or state cost-of-living adjustments and local increases are treated in relation to these increases; some part-time community education employees may be excluded by local boards; superintendents are exempt from the increases unless a governing body votes otherwise; the act takes effect immediately upon governor approval and the 5% increases are intended to continue in subsequent years without authorizing additional raises.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education