A measure that would set a minimum salary of $18,500 for all New Jersey public-school teachers passed in the state Assembly Aug. 28, along with a bill that would establish a statewide teacher-recognition program. The Senate is expected to consider both measures after it reconvenes Sept. 9.
The minimum-salary plan, which would cost the state $37.7 million in the 1985-86 fiscal year, provides for three years of state funding to school districts for implementation. The measure was developed by Gov. Thomas H. Kean as part of his conditional veto of a minimum-salary bill the legislature passed in June. That bill set no limit on the number of years the state would provide funds to districts.
The teacher-recognition program would award $1,000 to one teacher selected from each school in participating districts, to be used by that teacher for instructional purposes in his or her school.
