To Amend The Mechanism By Which School Nurses Are Compensated.
Summary
HB1242 would change how public school nurses are paid in Arkansas public school districts. It creates a new statutory section requiring each district board of directors to adopt a school nurse salary schedule and to pay school nurses a minimum base salary tied to the minimum base salary for classroom teachers. The bill distinguishes among school nurses based on licensure and education: a nurse with a bachelor’s degree and zero years of experience would receive the same base salary as a similarly situated classroom teacher, while registered nurses without a bachelor’s degree would receive at least 90% of that teacher base salary and licensed practical nurses without a bachelor’s degree would receive at least 80%.
Impact
The bill amends Arkansas law governing school personnel compensation by excluding school nurses from the definition of “classified employee” and by adding a new compensation mandate in Title 6. It would require districts to align nurse pay structures with teacher salary schedules beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, and it would prohibit districts from reducing the current salary of any nurse already earning more than the new minimum schedule. The bill also directs the House and Senate Education Committees to consider the cost of funding school nurses during the biennial adequacy review process, which could affect future state education funding discussions and appropriations.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill had meaningful support but not unanimous agreement, passing third reading 59-18. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate to indicate detailed stakeholder positions. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed favorably as a school staffing and compensation measure, but the recorded floor vote shows some opposition remained.
Contention
The most likely points of contention are the cost to school districts, the state funding implications, and whether nurse compensation should be tied so closely to teacher salary schedules. Districts may object to the mandate because it could increase payroll obligations and limit local flexibility, while supporters likely view the bill as a way to improve recruitment, retention, and pay equity for school nurses. The bill’s different pay floors for bachelor’s-prepared nurses, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses also suggests possible debate over credential-based compensation levels and whether the 2027-2028 implementation timeline is sufficient.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.