Bill > HB2475

This bill aims to improve compensation and staffing for special education personnel by implementing several key provisions. First, it defines a "critical vacancy" as a position that must be filled to maintain student success, safety, and meet compliance standards, and requires board staff who are certified in the subject area of a critical vacancy to temporarily teach in that classroom until a permanent hire is made. The bill also provides salary increases for special education aides and teachers, specifically matching the salaries of Aide II and Aide V special education aides with Early Childhood Classroom Assistant Teachers and then adding a 5% raise for those positions. Additionally, self-contained special education teachers will receive a 10% pay increase on top of their current salary grade. The legislation further outlines procedures for recruiting and employing prospective teachers in critical need positions, including the ability for county boards to offer financial incentives like signing bonuses or moving expenses to attract qualified candidates. These changes are intended to address staffing challenges and provide better compensation for special education professionals, ultimately supporting student education and classroom needs.