HB 539 -- TEACHER SALARY INCENTIVES

SPONSOR:  Icet

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elementary
and Secondary Education by a vote of 10 to 5.

This bill gives school districts the right to include hiring
incentives and salary schedule modifications, which can include
credit for all prior years of service in another district, to
attract and retain teachers.  Teachers must be certificated in
subject areas that have a demonstrated teacher shortage and must
have qualities or credentials that are suited to a district's
academic needs.  Teachers may be required to teach in the
district offering the incentive for up to three years.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that school districts need additional
ways to attract teachers.  Other professions understand the need
for additional pay for critical skills.  Being able to retain a
good teacher is crucial, and the bill would help with retention
as well as recruiting.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Icet; Dr. Dan
Kercher; Dr. Margaret Anderson; Dr. Tom Mickes; Missouri
Association of School Administrators; Cooperating School
Districts of Greater St. Louis; Missouri School Administrators
Coalition; and Missouri School Boards Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that there is too much
latitude for districts to use incentives badly or to engage in a
bidding war.  The teaching profession requires collegiality, and
pay differentials can work against collegiality by fostering
resentment.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri National Education
Association.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm