Primary and Secondary Education - Public School Employees - Salaries

HB 551 establishes a $60,000 minimum salary for all public school employees in Maryland, effective July 1, 2026. It also creates two new salary increases: $10,000 for educators earning National Board Certification or an approved alternative high-quality credential, and $7,000 for qualified educators assigned to low-performing schools (as defined by county boards), effective July 1, 2025. These provisions apply to public school employees across Maryland, including teachers, nurses, social workers, and JROTC instructors in specific counties as defined in the bill. The salary increases are mandatory for eligible employees and remain in place even if a school's performance rating changes.