02/19/2024 03:30 PM Senate EDUCATION

         SB 215-TEACHERS: BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
3:34:46 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR TOBIN  announced the consideration  of SENATE BILL  NO. 215                                                               
"An  Act  relating to  teacher  incentive  payments for  national                                                               
board certification; and providing for an effective date."                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:35:18 PM                                                                                                                    
DEBORAH RIDDLE,  Operations Manager,  Division of  Innovation and                                                               
Education   Excellence,  Department   of   Education  and   Early                                                               
Development (DEED),  Juneau, Alaska, provided an  overview of the                                                               
DEED fiscal note OMB component  2796, dated February 7, 2024. She                                                               
said the fiscal note includes  incentives for educators obtaining                                                               
national  board certification.  She explained  that the  proposal                                                               
allocates  $5,000 per  board-certified  teacher  employed by  the                                                               
district, based on the number of  such teachers in the state. The                                                               
fiscal note also includes $6,000  for changes in regulations. She                                                               
stated  that   the  total  cost   is  estimated   at  $1,075,000,                                                               
accounting for the 215 board-certified  teachers currently in the                                                               
state and allowing for retirements and new certifications.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:37:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR TOBIN stated the fiscal note was OMB component 2796.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
3:38:19 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR TOBIN opened  public testimony on SB 215  finding none, she                                                               
closed public testimony.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:38:40 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR TOBIN held SB 215 in committee.