Resolve, TO'Establish the Study Commission Regarding Teachers Salaries
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0522
Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
Sponsors: SUTHERLAND, CAIN, MARTIN, ROTUNDO, SCHATZ

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124thMAIN LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No. 522 
H.P.367 
House of Representatives, February 12,2009 
Resolve, TO'Establish the Study Commission Regarding Teachers' 
Salaries 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs suggested and ordered 
printed. 
Presented by Representative SUTHERLAND of Chapman. 
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1?1.11l!I.C~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Cosponsored by Representatives: CAIN of Orono, MARTIN of Eagle Lake, ROTUNDO of 
Lewiston, SCHATZ of Blue Hill,W AGNER of Lewiston. 
Prilltt:tlllll f'ccyckd paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, this resolve establishes the Study Commission Regarding Teachers' 
Salaries to study the issues confronting citizens of this State who depend on the retention 
of a stable, experienced corps of professional teachers in this State's public schools to 
ensure that the State's public school. students will acquire the knowledge and skills 
essential for college, career and citizenship in the 21 st century; and 
'Whereas, the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that 
the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next 
legislative session; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
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therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. Commission established. Resolved: 
That the Study Commis~ion 
Regarding Teachers' Salaries, referred to in this: resolve as "the commission," is 
established; and be it furthcr 
Sec. 2. Commission membership. Resolved: That the commission consists of 
members appointed as follows: 
1. Two Senators, appointed by the President of the Senate; 
2. Five members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the 
House; 
3. Three teachers recommended by the President of the Maine Education Association 
and appointed by the Governor; . 
4. One superintendent of a regional school unit, recommended by the President of 
Maine School Superintendents Association and appointed by the Governor; 
5. The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, as an ex officio 
nonvoting member; and 
6. The Commissioner of Labor, or the commissioner's designee, as an ex officio 
nonvoting member; and be it further 
Sec. 3. 
Chairs. Resolved: That the first-named Senate member is the Senate 
chair and the first-named House of Representatives member is the House chair of the 
commission; and be it further 
Sec. 4. 
Appointments; convening of commission. Resolved:. That all 
appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this 
resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative 
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Council once all appointments have been completed. Within 15 days after appointment 
of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the commission, 
which must be no later than July 1, 2009; and be it further 
Sec. 5. 
Duties. 
Resolved: 
That the cormmSSlOn shall study all issues 
surrounding teachers' salaries. In conducting its review, the commission shall undertake 
to examine: 
1. The effects on teachers' salaries of the essential programs and servIces funding 
system for public education, including the elements of labor market adjustments, student-
teacher ratios and a teachers' salary matrix; 
2. The effects on teachers' salaries of the minimum teachers' salary law and the 
existing system of state subsidies for substandard salaries; 
3. The relationship between and among teachers' salaries in school administrative 
units, the amount and distribution of general purpose aid for local schools and amounts 
raised locally for the support of public schools; 
4. The relationship between teachers' salaries in this State and in other states; 
5. The relationship between teachers' salaries and salaries paid to practitioners in 
other comparable professions; 
6. The effects of inflation on the real value of teachers' salaries and the minimum 
salary amount required by law; 
7. Practices in other states that mandate payment of minimum salaries based on 
experience and education to all teachers and their costs and consequences; and 
8. Factors relating to the age, experience, recruitment, retention and mobility of the 
State's corps of professional teachers; and be it further 
Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide 
necessary staffmg services to the commission; and be it further 
Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 1,2009, the commission 
shall submit a report that includes its fmdings and recommendations, including suggested 
legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The Joint 
Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs is authorized to introduce a bill 
related to the subject matter of the report to the Second Regular Session of the 124th 
Legislature upon receipt of the report. 
Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
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This resolve establishes the Study Commission Regarding Teachers' Salaries to 
investigate conditions affecting teachers' salaries in this State, which despite the 
enactment of a minimum teachers' salary law and substantial increases in general purpose 
aid for local schools in recent years have not kept pace with inflation and have declined in 
rank relative to other states in the nation. The resolve authorizes the commission to make 
. findings and recommendations and to submit suggested legislation to ensure that all 
teachers are paid at rates that are commensurate with their experience, education, 
professional responsibilities and essential role in the development of the State's economy 
and human capital. 
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