DFL bill outlines $60K minimum teacher salary, statewide insurance pools

Last year, Minnesota schools paid nearly $1.4 billion for health insurance, dental insurance and tax-advantaged health arrangements.

These rising health care costs for educators often function as pay cuts to already-lagging teacher income, which was estimated to be 31.1% lower than similarly educated professionals in the 2022-2023 school year, according to a 2025 study from the Department of Education.

Sponsored by Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Mpls), HF3119 seeks to fix both of those issues.

The House Education Finance Committee laid it over Thursday for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

“Minnesota teachers, education support staff, social workers and other educators are not paid what they deserve. This bill addresses both sides of the compensation equation: what educators take home in their paychecks and what they pay to keep themselves and their families healthy,” Sencer-Mura said.

The bill, as amended, would establish three teacher minimum salary thresholds:

• $60,000 for full-time teachers without a master’s degree;
• $80,000 for full-time teachers with a master’s degree; and
• $100,000 for full-time teachers with a master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience.

These thresholds would be adjusted for inflation every four years starting in 2030.

Additionally, the bill would create mandatory health insurance pools for educators across the state to bring down health care costs.

“Right now, Minnesota school employees negotiate health care coverage district by district in hundreds of small pools, each facing the same giant, profitable insurance company themselves,” Sencer-Mura said.

“I work three jobs just to pay for our medical expenses,” said Lori Goth, a special education paraprofessional at the St. Michael-Albertville school district.

Others like Brianna Lawrence, a grade 7-12 school counselor at the Waseca school district, spoke to rising health care premiums and massive deductibles — especially within family plans — that force teachers out of the profession.

“This is how it happens. Not all at once, but in moments like this when two committed educators who love their jobs sit down and realize that starting a family could push them into financial ruin.”

Not all educators support the bill, however.

In a letter, the Minnesota School Boards Association, Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Minnesota Association of School Business Officials and Minnesota Community Education Association express support for increased teacher pay, but said the bill would strip local control from school districts.

“This proposal shifts decision-making authority away from our local communities and toward the state without providing the sustainable funding necessary to support those requirements.”

Rep. Peggy Bennett (R-Albert Lea) agrees. “I don’t believe more mandates are the answer here.”

Countered Rep. Liz Lee (DFL-St. Paul), “The villain here is not mandates. It is the health care industry.”