15-919

15-919. Optional performance incentive program;
definition

A. A school district governing board may apply to the superintendent of public
instruction for approval to budget for an optional performance incentive program under
the provisions established in this article. Applications for initial program approval or
reapproval shall be submitted annually by March 15 to the superintendent of public
instruction. The superintendent of public instruction shall review the applications and
make recommendations to the state board by May 15. Applications for new programs may be
requested only if advanced appropriations have been made to cover the cost of the first
year of implementation for new districts for that year. The state board shall provide
notice to the applicants of approval or disapproval by July 1, based on the
recommendations of the superintendent of public instruction.

B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, if the superintendent of public
instruction submits recommendations to the state board after May 15, a school district,
before October 1, may calculate its budget using the increase in the base level that the
school district anticipates will be authorized by the state board. If a school district
calculates its budget pursuant to this subsection, the school district shall signify in
writing that the increase is pending approval by the state board. If state board
approval is not received by October 1, the school district shall recalculate its budget
without the increase in the base level that was anticipated pursuant to this
subsection. Not later than May 18, the budget as revised shall be submitted
electronically to the superintendent of public instruction.

C. Based on the requirements established in this article and the superintendent's
recommendations, the superintendent of public instruction shall prescribe specific
procedures for application and requirements as needed for approval to budget for an
optional performance incentive program.

D. If a governing board receives approval to budget for an optional performance
incentive program, it may calculate its budget using an increase in the base level
recommended by the superintendent of public instruction and authorized by the state
board. Dependent on the guidelines developed by the superintendent of public instruction
pursuant to section 15-919.03 and other criteria as prescribed in section 15-919.02, the
state board may authorize an increase of up to five and one-half per cent of the base
level.

E. For the purposes of this article, "optional performance incentive program" means
a program that:

1. Is an alternative to the career ladder program established in this article.

2. Is based on principles of effective organizations, teamwork, parental and pupil
involvement and support of teachers.

3. Uses measures of quality including parental satisfaction or rating of
educational quality, teacher job satisfaction or rating of support and pupil satisfaction
with the quality of education being received.

4. Uses a performance based compensation system.