ADE Director's Communication Memo Form


Memo Number : IA-05-109

Date Created : 05/13/2005

Attention:

Superintendents
Co-op Directors

Type of Memo: Informational
Response Required: No
   
Section:   Internal Administration - Dr. Bobbie Davis
Subject:
Revisions to Teacher Retentions and Recruitment Bonuses

Regulatory Authority:
Act 2151 of 2005. A.C.A. 6-17-811

Contact Person:
Dr. Bobbie Davis

Phone Number:
501-682-1297

E-mail:
bdavis@arkedu.k12.ar.us

Act 2151 of 2005 amended Act 101 of 2003 codified as A.C.A. 6-17-811. This bill amended the law dealing with teacher recruitment and retention bonuses for High Priority Districts. The amendments clarified the definition for "teachers" to mean teachers working directly with students 70% of their time in a classroom setting. Teachers also was clarified to include guidance counselors and librarians.

Another major revision in the act was to establish that if a teacher voluntarily leaves the High Priority District before the end of the three-year bonus pay period, then the teacher is required to pay back the bonus received. If a teacher is reassigned involuntarily to a position that is not eligible for bonus pay or is dismissed involuntarily by the district, then the teacher is not required to repay the applicable bonus received. If a teacher leaves the district due to serious medical emergency, then the teacher will not be required to repay the bonus received provided a statement from a licensed physician verifies that the teacher is unable to work and must terminate employment.

Another revision allows pro-rata bonus payments for teachers not employed for the entire year.

The Department of Education will be amending and revising the rules governing the distribution of teacher recruitment and retention bonuses for High Priority Districts.

Attachments:
    None

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