SB314 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Education, High Performance Principals Program, salary supplement incentives for public K-12 principals based on student achievement, State Board of Education to implement

Summary

SB314 creates the High Performance Principals Program to provide salary supplements to elementary principals who improve student achievement, funded by annual legislative appropriations and overseen by the State Board of Education.

What This Bill Does

The bill establishes a voluntary program where elementary principals can receive an annual salary supplement for improving school-wide student achievement. The supplement can be up to $12,000 per year and is in addition to their regular pay, with the exact amount determined by a formula based on year-over-year test-score improvements and state-earned teacher units. Participation is limited to up to three consecutive years (maximum of five years total); participating principals must focus on academics and delegate administrative duties to others. The program is funded by an annual appropriation with a cap of $5 million per fiscal year, and the State Superintendent distributes supplements in a lump sum after confirming achievement criteria; training, reporting, and oversight are provided by the State Board and local districts.

Who It Affects

• Elementary school principals who choose to participate, as they become eligible for annual salary supplements up to $12,000 based on measured improvements in student achievement.
• Local school districts and the State Department of Education, which implement and oversee the program, require monthly reporting, provide evaluations and feedback, train participants, and manage funding and rulemaking.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the High Performance Principals Program as a voluntary incentive program for elementary principals to receive salary supplements tied to student achievement improvements.
• Supplies annual salary supplements up to $12,000 per participating principal; supplement amounts and qualifying metrics are set and adjusted by rules of the State Board of Education; funding capped at $5,000,000 per fiscal year.
• Participation limited to up to three consecutive years, with a total participation limit of five years; principals must certify their focus on academics and delegate operational duties to others.
• SBEd and State Superintendent responsibilities include implementing the program, certifying and disbursing supplements (via lump-sum payments), providing training, and requiring monthly progress reports and presentations to local boards.
• Supplements are not considered regular compensation and local boards may provide additional supplements; annual appropriation is required to fund the program.

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