S-0785.2  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5407

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senators Benton, Zarelli, Stevens, Rossi, Oke, Swecker, Morton and West

Read first time 01/21/1999.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Providing a bonus for certain first year teachers.

    AN ACT Relating to first year teachers' salaries; and amending RCW 28A.400.200.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 28A.400.200 and 1997 c 141 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Every school district board of directors shall fix, alter, allow, and order paid salaries and compensation for all district employees in conformance with this section.

    (2)(a)(i) Salaries for certificated instructional staff shall not be less than the salary provided in the appropriations act in the state-wide salary allocation schedule for an employee with a baccalaureate degree and zero years of service((; and)).

(ii) For certificated instructional staff hired with zero years of service specifically assigned to teaching duties that include the subjects of math or science or both and at least a 3.5 grade point average at the time of their graduation from a college or university, there shall be a five thousand dollar bonus paid as follows:  Two thousand dollars upon completion of the first year of teaching; one thousand dollars upon completion of the second year of teaching; one thousand dollars upon completion of the third year of teaching; and one thousand dollars upon completion of the fourth year of teaching.

    (b) Salaries for certificated instructional staff with a master's degree shall not be less than the salary provided in the appropriations act in the state-wide salary allocation schedule for an employee with a master's degree and zero years of service((;)).

    (3)(a) The actual average salary paid to basic education and special education certificated instructional staff shall not exceed the district's average basic education and special education program certificated instructional staff salary used for the state basic education allocations for that school year as determined pursuant to RCW 28A.150.410.

    (b) Fringe benefit contributions for basic education and special education certificated instructional staff shall be included as salary under (a) of this subsection only to the extent that the district's actual average benefit contribution exceeds the amount of the insurance benefits allocation provided per certificated instructional staff unit in the state operating appropriations act in effect at the time the compensation is payable.  For purposes of this section, fringe benefits shall not include payment for unused leave for illness or injury under RCW 28A.400.210; employer contributions for old age survivors insurance, workers' compensation, unemployment compensation, and retirement benefits under the Washington state retirement system; or employer contributions for health benefits in excess of the insurance benefits allocation provided per certificated instructional staff unit in the state operating appropriations act in effect at the time the compensation is payable.  A school district may not use state funds to provide employer contributions for such excess health benefits.

    (c) Salary and benefits for certificated instructional staff in programs other than basic education and special education shall be consistent with the salary and benefits paid to certificated instructional staff in the basic education and special education programs.

    (4) Salaries and benefits for certificated instructional staff may exceed the limitations in subsection (3) of this section only by separate contract for additional time, additional responsibilities, or incentives.  Supplemental contracts shall not cause the state to incur any present or future funding obligation.  Supplemental contracts shall be subject to the collective bargaining provisions of chapter 41.59 RCW and the provisions of RCW 28A.405.240, shall not exceed one year, and if not renewed shall not constitute adverse change in accordance with RCW 28A.405.300 through 28A.405.380.  No district may enter into a supplemental contract under this subsection for the provision of services which are a part of the basic education program required by Article IX, section 3 of the state Constitution.

    (5) Employee benefit plans offered by any district shall comply with RCW 28A.400.350 and 28A.400.275 and 28A.400.280.

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