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 allows 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 grants school boards the authority to offer signing bonuses to individuals who meet similar criteria, including being licensed and having signed a contract with the school district. The bonuses can be paid in a lump sum or in installments over a maximum of five years. The legislation also clarifies that these bonuses cannot be included in the district's salary schedule or counted for continuing contract purposes, and it restricts bonuses for individuals who were employed in the same role by another school district in the previous year until they have been employed in the new 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