This bill amends RCW 28A.405.415 to suspend the national board for professional standards certification bonuses for certificated instructional staff for the school years 2025-26 through 2028-29. Under the current law, certificated instructional staff who attain certification from the national board receive an annual bonus of $5,000, which is subject to inflation adjustments, with specific exceptions for certain school years. The bill maintains the existing structure of bonuses for eligible staff in high poverty schools but introduces a new provision that explicitly states that no bonuses will be paid during the specified school years.

The new legal language inserted into the bill clarifies that, despite the previous provisions for bonuses, no payments will be made for the 2025-26, 2026-27, 2027-28, or 2028-29 school years. This change reflects a significant alteration in the financial incentives for certificated instructional staff during this period, effectively suspending the bonuses that were previously guaranteed under the law.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 28A.405.415