CHAPTER 89

(HB 1255)

Public school teachers reimbursed for national certification.

         ENTITLED, An Act  reimburse public school teachers who become nationally certified.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

     Section  1.  The Department of Education and Cultural Affairs shall establish a program to reimburse public school teachers for the application and processing fee for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification process. The reimbursement shall include any federal funds that may be available through a candidate subsidy program. The reimbursement shall be paid upon receipt of documentation that the teacher successfully completed all certification requirements and was awarded the credential.

     In addition to the reimbursement provided pursuant to this section, a teacher who teaches in a public school and who has obtained certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards shall receive a payment of two thousand dollars per year for five years. The stipend shall be paid as follows:

             (1)    One thousand dollars from the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs;

             (2)    One thousand dollars from the school district where the teacher is employed.

     The Board of Education shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish guidelines necessary to implement the program.

     Section  2.  There is hereby appropriated from the general fund the sum of fifty-six thousand dollars ($56,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, to the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs for the purpose of making the payments authorized by section 1 of this Act.

     Section  3.  The secretary of the Department of Education and Cultural Affairs shall approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized by this Act.

     Section  4.  Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated by June 30, 2001, shall revert in accordance with §  4-8-21.

     Signed February 28, 2000.

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