On page 11, after line 37, insert the following:
"PART V
TEACHER MENTORING
NEW SECTION. Sec. 501. (1) The sum of five million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, from the education legacy trust account to the superintendent of public instruction for a beginning educator support program.
(2) The appropriation in this section is provided solely for a beginning educator support program. The program shall prioritize first year teachers in the mentoring program. Either school districts, or regional consortia, or both may apply for grant funding.
(3) The program provided by either a district, or a regional consortia, or both shall include: A paid orientation; assignment of a qualified mentor; development of a professional growth plan for each beginning teacher aligned with professional certification; release time for mentors and new teachers to work together; and teacher observation time with accomplished peers. Funding may be used to provide statewide professional development opportunities for mentors and beginning educators."