NC S551

Establishes a 2021-2022 monthly teacher salary schedule for North Carolina public schools, with base salaries ranging from $3,500 (0 years experience) to $5,460 (25+ years experience), and increases salaries for teachers with 15-24 years of experience to $5,250 and 25+ years to $5,460 per month.

Provides salary supplements for teachers with National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certification (12%), "M" classified teachers (10%), and certified school nurses (10%), plus additional supplements of $126 per month for six-year degree holders and $253 per month for doctoral degree holders.

Sets minimum salary protections for teachers eligible for longevity in 2013-2014 by guaranteeing they receive the greater of the new salary schedule or their 2013-2014 salary plus longevity payments and annual bonuses.

Applies comparable salary adjustments to school psychologists, speech pathologists, and audiologists with master's degrees or higher, beginning at the sixth step of the salary schedule.

Appropriates $179,000,000 in recurring General Fund dollars to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to fund these salary increases and becomes effective July 1, 2021.