An act relating to an education spending exclusion for salary and wage increases

This bill would reduce a school district's reported education spending by 75% of salary and wage increases for licensed teachers and other school employees, but only if the district meets specific eligibility requirements. To qualify, a school district must be located in a rural area or have at least 40% of students from low-income families, and it must pay all salaried staff at least $50,000 annually or hourly workers at least $20 per hour during fiscal years 2025 through 2027. The calculation determines the amount of increase above these minimum thresholds that would be excluded from the district's spending totals. Districts currently bound by collective bargaining agreements that prevent them from meeting the minimum pay requirements would need to negotiate changes to those agreements to become eligible for the spending exclusion.