HB 717 -- Teacher Incentives

Sponsor:  Tilley

This bill establishes several incentive programs for attracting
and retaining teachers.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Redirects $40 million annually of the additional gaming
moneys generated by the passage of Proposition A in 2008 to
support an increase of the minimum starting teacher salary to
$27,000 and the creation of other teacher stipends.  The
remaining additional funds will go toward the state school
foundation formula;

(2)  Establishes a voluntary pay-for-performance plan consisting
of a teacher-controlled element with a portfolio and personal
attendance rate and three building-wide elements that include
improved performance on the statewide assessments, graduation or
attendance rates, and accreditation performance indicators.  The
stipends under this provision are based on percentages of the
teacher's base salary;

(3)  Establishes the following teacher incentives:  a $2,500
one-time, five-year retention stipend for teachers who are paid
$50,000 or less annually in districts with full accreditation and
low local wealth as specified in the bill; a $5,000 recruitment
stipend for math and science teachers and a $2,500 recruitment
stipend for other teachers in districts that have less than full
accreditation or low local wealth; and a $2,500 stipend for
teachers in districts that regain full accreditation.  The bill
contains provisions that require a good faith effort on the part
of recruiting school districts, specify the stipend's
relationship to retirement pay, prohibit multiple recruitment
stipends, and prorate payback of a stipend if a teacher leaves
the district within three years;

(4)  Revises the duties and powers of the superintendent of
schools in the St. Louis Public School District regarding
personnel matters; and

(5)  Allows salary schedules to include other factors besides
length of service and degree attainment if the other factors are
equitably applied and clarifies that decisions regarding
reductions in the work force need not be based primarily on
seniority.

The provisions establishing teacher incentive amounts will expire
six years from the effective date.

The bill contains an emergency clause for the provisions
regarding the minimum salary and the redirection of additional
gaming moneys.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am