Section 21-N:8-e - Rural and Underserved Area Educator Incentive ProgramI. In this section:(a) "Department" means the department of education.(b) "Division" means the division of educator support and higher education.(c) "Commission" means the New Hampshire higher education commission.(d) "Rural and underserved area educator" means a full-time, credentialed individual employed as an instructional employee in an eligible public school district or at an eligible chartered public school.(e) "Rural school district" means: (1) There are fewer than 20 enrolled students per square mile within the area encompassed by the school district's boundaries; or(2) The regional public health network in which a plurality of the school district's market value for assessment purposes is located is deemed rural as defined by the department of health and human services, division of public health.II. The department shall identify specific schools that are affected by critical educator shortages using the following criteria: (a) Rural isolation of the school; or(b) Economic disadvantage of the school based on eligibility for funds pursuant to title I, part A of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended.III. Rural and underserved area educators who are employed at schools identified in paragraph II shall be eligible for payment of retention grants as outlined in this section.IV. Grant payments may be provided on behalf of a rural and underserved area educator who:(a) Is employed in a school identified in paragraph II; and(b) Has a signed contract with such school.V. To qualify for grant payments under this section, a rural and underserved area educator shall submit an application to the commission. For grant payment applications, the application shall include any documentation required by the department for verification of the applicant's eligibility.VI. A rural and underserved area educator shall be eligible for grant payments for up to 4 years, provided that the educator remains employed at the same school or by the same school district. The department may remit payment of the grant on behalf of the rural and underserved area educator in accordance with the requirements of this section and rules adopted by the commission.VII. The total incentive award shall be: (a) In the amount of $1,500 upon completion of the first year;(b) In the amount of $2,500 upon completion of the second year;(c) In the amount of $3,500 upon completion of the third year; and(d) In the amount of $4,500 upon completion of the fourth year.VIII. The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A to establish protocols for determining the number of incentive awards that will be made annually based on available appropriations for the program.IX. Incentive awards under this section shall be offered to the extent of available funding.Added by 2024, 326:3, eff. 10/1/2024.