Contains whereas clauses.

Part I.

Sets a monthly teacher salary schedule for "A" teachers for 2026-27 for licensed public school personnel classified as teachers, based on years of experience, ranging from $5,000 for teachers with 0 years of experience to $6,823 for 25 or more years of experience. Provides for a 12% salary supplement for licensed teachers who have National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification; a 10% salary supplement for licensed teachers classified as "M" teachers; a $126 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a $253 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the doctoral degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a 10% salary supplement for certified school nurses; and monthly salary supplement of $100 for school counselors licensed at the master’s degree level or higher. Requires that the first step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, must be equivalent to the sixth step of the "A" salary schedule. Provides for a salary supplement of the higher of $350 or 10%. Deems these employees eligible to receive salary supplements equivalent to those of teachers for academic preparation at the six-year degree level or the doctoral degree level. Requires that the twenty-sixth step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher must be 7.5% higher than the salary received by these same employees on the twenty-fifth step of the salary schedule. Provides that in lieu of the amounts of annual longevity payments to teachers paid on the teacher salary schedule, beginning with the 2014-15 fiscal year, the amounts of those longevity payments are included in the monthly amounts under the teacher salary schedule. Details teacher compensation for the 2026-27 school year based on either (1) the applicable salary schedule; (2) the sum of the salary the teacher received in 2013-14, longevity pay for the 2013-14 school year, and annual bonus provided in SL 2014-100; or (3) the sum of the salary and annual bonus the teacher received in the 2014-15 school year, with the compensation amount determined to be equal to the greater of those amounts. Provides that teacher includes instructional support personnel. Appropriates $1.675 billion in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI for the teacher raises.

Part II.

Repeals GS 115C-302.10 (detailing qualifications for certain education-based salary supplements). For 2026-27, applies State Board of Education policy TCP-A-006, as it was in effect on June 30, 2013, to determine (1) whether teachers and instructional support personnel are paid on  the "M" salary schedule and (2) whether they receive a salary supplement for academic preparation at the six-year or doctoral degree level. Appropriates $8 million in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to reinstate the education-based salary supplements for teachers and instructional support personnel.

Part III.

Adds GS 115C-269.33, directing the State Board of Education (SBE) to establish the Paid Student Teaching Grant Program (Program) to provide financial assistance of up to $5,000 per year to eligible student teachers during the student teaching portion of their enrollment in an educator preparation program. Provides for an application developed by DPI in coordination with approved educator prep programs. Allows for selection by lottery if the number of applicants exceed the available funds. Establishes a one-time $2,500 recruitment bonus to grant recipients who accept employment in public school units. Requires DPI to submit an annual report by April 15 each year to the specified NCGA committee on the impact of the Program on teacher recruitment, addressing the four matters described.

Appropriates $10 million in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI for Program student grants and teaching bonuses.

Part IV.

Directs the NC Collaboratory, in consultation with DPI, the Fiscal Research Division, and other relevant stakeholders to study and report on strategies to meaningfully increase educator compensation in the State over the next ten years, reporting on including the ten matters described, by March 15, 2027.

Part V.

Effective July 1, 2026.