This bill amends sections of the North Dakota Century Code to enhance the powers of center boards and school boards regarding the employment of teachers. Specifically, it introduces a provision allowing center boards to offer a first-year signing bonus to newly hired teachers who are licensed or approved by the education standards and practices board and who were not classroom teachers in the state during the previous school year. The bill stipulates that this bonus is in addition to any negotiated salary and cannot be included in the center board's salary schedule or counted towards continuing contract purposes.

Additionally, the bill modifies the authority of school boards to offer signing bonuses to new hires, specifying that these bonuses can be paid in a lump sum or in installments over a maximum of five years. It also clarifies that the signing bonus is not to be included in the district's salary schedule or for continuing contract purposes, and it cannot be paid until the individual is licensed for their new role. Furthermore, the bill restricts the payment of bonuses to individuals who have not been employed in the same role by another school district in the state for the previous year until they have been employed in the district for two years. The bill is declared an emergency measure, indicating its immediate importance.

Statutes affected:
Adopted by the House Education Committee: 15-20.2-07
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 15-20.2-07
Adopted by the Senate Workforce Development Committee: 15-20.2-07, 15.1-09-33.1
Enrollment: 15-20.2-07, 15.1-09-33.1