Section 388.1627m - Awards for teachers with National Board Certification(1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2023-2024 only, $4,000,000.00 to districts and intermediate districts to fund financial awards to eligible Michigan teachers who hold National Board Certification.(2) A district or intermediate district must apply in a form and manner determined by the department. Awards must be granted as $4,000.00 to all eligible teachers who hold National Board Certification, and an additional $6,000.00 for eligible teachers who hold National Board Certification and serve in Title I schools.(3) To be eligible to receive an award, eligible teachers must meet the following, as applicable:(a) Be employed in classroom teaching at least 50% of the teacher's full-time hours, as determined by the district or intermediate district.(b) To receive an award under subsection (4), hold National Board Certification by January 1, 2024.(4) Subject to subsection (6), and notwithstanding section 17b, awards under subsection (2) must be paid to the districts and intermediate districts by April 30, 2024.(5) If the amount allocated under subsection (1) is insufficient to fully make payments to all eligible participants as required under subsection (1), the department shall prorate the amount paid to districts and intermediate districts to distribute to all eligible participants on an equal basis.(6) If funding remains after the awards under subsection (4) are granted, the department shall grant additional awards under subsection (2) on a first-come, first-served basis. An eligible teacher may receive more than 1 award under subsection (2), but shall not receive more than 1 award in a single fiscal year.(7) In addition to the funds allocated in subsection (1), an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.00 for 2023-2024 only from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11 must be used for eligible teachers to cover National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification fees for first-time candidates in Title I schools.(8) A district or intermediate district shall apply for funding under subsection (7) in a form and manner determined by the department. The department shall approve applications under subsection (7) on a first-come, first-served basis. Notwithstanding section 17b, awards under subsection (7) must be paid on a schedule determined by the department.(9) The funds allocated under this section for 2023-2024 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2023-2024 are carried forward into 2024-2025. The purpose of the work project is to enable and encourage teachers to get National Board Certification. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2026.(10) As used in this section, "eligible teacher" includes individuals who hold a valid or expired Michigan teaching certificate and are employed by the district or intermediate district as teachers, including those in teacher leadership roles as a peer assistance and review coach, mentor, or other teacher support provider if the position does not require a school administrator certificate.Added by 2023, Act 103,s 56, eff. 10/1/2023.