15-918

15-918. Career ladder programs;
definitions

A. A school district governing board may apply to the state board of education for
approval to budget for a career ladder program under the provisions established in this
article. The application may be for one or more schools in the district or for the
entire district. Applications for initial program approval or reapproval shall be
submitted annually by November 15 to the state career ladder advisory committee which is
established pursuant to section 15-918.01 and which shall review the applications and
forward recommendations to the state board. The board shall provide notice to the
applicants of approval or disapproval by February 15.

B. Based on the requirements established in this article and the recommendations of
the state career ladder advisory committee, the state board shall prescribe specific
procedures for application and requirements as needed for approval to budget for a career
ladder program.

C. If a governing board receives approval to budget for a career ladder program, it
may calculate its budget using an increase in the base level authorized by the state
board. Dependent on the district's implementation stage pursuant to section 15-918.03
and other criteria as prescribed in section 15-918.02, the state board may authorize an
increase of up to five and one-half per cent of the base level.

D. The total amount of state monies that may be expended in any fiscal year for the
state board of education for career ladder programs shall not exceed the amount
appropriated or authorized by section 35-173 for that purpose. This section shall not be
construed to impose a duty on an officer, agent or employee of this state to discharge a
responsibility or to create any right in a person or group if the discharge or right
would require an expenditure of state monies in excess of the expenditure authorized by
legislative appropriation for that specific purpose.

E. For the purposes of this article:

1. "Career ladder program" means a program which:

(a) Establishes a multilevel system of teaching positions.

(b) Provides opportunities to teachers for continued professional advancement.

(c) Requires at least improved or advanced teaching skill for advancement to a
higher level and other components such as additional higher level instructional
responsibilities and demonstration of pupil academic progress.

(d) Uses a performance based compensation system.

2. "Governing board" means any of the following:

(a) A school district governing board.

(b) The governing body of a school if it has been delegated authority over a career
ladder program by a school district governing board.