AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- FOUNDATION LEVEL SCHOOL SUPPORT

SB 746 amends the state law concerning minimum salary schedules for certified school personnel. Currently, all municipalities and regional school districts in Rhode Island must establish salary schedules with a maximum of 12 annual steps, based on years of service, experience, and training. This bill creates an exception for the Providence public school district only. It allows Providence to negotiate alternative salary schedules that do not have to follow the standard 12-step structure and may include other compensation methods, such as bonuses for teachers taking on greater responsibilities.