Education; teacher compensation; increase for classroom teachers; effective date; emergency.

HB 2251 requires Oklahoma public school districts to provide a 20% salary increase for classroom teachers starting in the 2025-2026 school year, based on their 2024-2025 base pay. This applies to teachers who remain with the same district or are new hires for the same position. The increase must be added to existing compensation and benefits, unless teaching hours or duties are reduced proportionally. The law defines "classroom teacher" as per Oklahoma Statutes, excluding superintendents, and takes effect July 1, 2025.