Lee proposes $340M for schools and a $50,000 starting teacher salary; urges expansion of education scholarships

Governor Bill Lee asked the General Assembly to add $340 million to the state's public-school budget and said starting teacher pay would increase from $35,000 in 2019 to $50,000 in 2027.

He emphasized literacy priorities in kindergarten through third grade and credited prior investments—described in the address as a $2.5 billion historic investment—for recent gains. Lee also highlighted the Education Freedom Scholarship program, saying the state received 54,000 applications this year for 20,000 available scholarships and estimating about 34,000 students remain on a waiting list. He urged lawmakers to at least double scholarship allocations to expand parental choice.

The address included an invitation for Dr. Milton Nettles of Lighthouse Christian School and students to appear in the chamber as examples of the administration’s education priorities. No specific statutory language or bill text was introduced in the address; funding and program changes will require appropriation language and statutory action in the legislative session.