R277-920-6. Teacher Recruitment and Retention

  (1) As used in this section, "matching funds" means funds that are not allocated to a school under Section R277-920-5.

  (2) In accordance with Section 53E-5-308, a local education board of a low performing school may seek and receive matching funds from the state to implement strategies for teacher recruitment and retention identified in a plan described in Subsection (3).

  (3) To qualify for matching funds under this section, on or before January 15, a local education board of a low performing school shall submit a plan to the Superintendent that:

  (a) includes a strategy for teacher recruitment and retention for the school in critical needs status;

  (b)(i) except as provided in Subsection (3)(b)(ii), is responsive to the needs assessment conducted in accordance with Section 53E-5-302; or

  (ii) if the school was identified as a low performing school based on 2014-2015 school accountability results, includes a root cause analysis of the school's teacher recruitment and retention challenges, including:

  (A) a clear definition of the problem to be solved;

  (B) hypotheses for the causes of the problem;

  (C) strategies to address the root causes of the problem;

  (D) current data on teacher retention rates; and

  (E) current recruitment and retention strategies;

  (c) includes the amount of matching funds the local education board is requesting from the state;

  (d) includes assurances that the local education board will allocate matching funds; and

  (e) may include a stipend for educators who work non-contract hours to develop or implement strategies identified in a school improvement plan.

  (4) The Superintendent shall:

  (a) approve a plan that meets the criteria described in Subsection (3); and

  (b) on or before March 1, distribute matching funds to a local education agency that has submitted an approved plan in an amount not to exceed:

  (i) $1000 per teacher for schools identified based on 2014-2015 school accountability results; or

  (ii) $1500 per teacher for schools identified based on 2016-17 school accountability results and each year thereafter.