R277-318-3. Program Administration

  (1) The Superintendent shall allocate funds for salary supplements to eligible teachers in accordance with Subsection 53F-2-504(3).

  (2) The Superintendent shall maintain an online application system for the TSSP and make it available to educators no later than October 1 of each school year.

  (3) In order to receive an award under this program, an applicant for the TSSP shall apply to the Superintendent by the following deadlines for each school year in which the applicant is an eligible teacher:

  (a) for trimester payments to the educator, prior to November 15;

  (b) for semester payments to the educator, prior to January 31; and

  (c) for an annual payment to the educator, prior to April 30.

  (4)(a) If an applicant is denied funds under this rule, the applicant may submit a written appeal to the Superintendent prior to June 1 of each school year.

  (b) An appeal under Subsection (4)(a) is limited to the following issues:

  (i) whether the applicant has a degree or degree major with course requirements that are substantially equivalent to the course requirements for a degree listed in Section 53F-2-504;

  (ii) whether the applicant has met the qualifying teaching background requirements described in Section 53F-2-504;

  (iii) whether the Superintendent's initial denial was inconsistent with Section 53F-2-504 or this Rule R277-318; or

  (iv) whether the Superintendent's initial denial was based on inaccurate or incomplete information.

  (c) The Superintendent may designate a panel of at least two Board staff members to review an appeal made under Subsection (4)(a) and make a recommendation to the Superintendent.

  (i) A panel designated in accordance with Subsection (4)(c) shall make a recommendation in accordance with the provisions of Section 53F-2-504 or this Rule R277-318.

  (ii) The panel shall make a recommendation on an appeal within 30 days of receipt of the written appeal.

  (5) The Superintendent shall issue a ruling on an appeal within 15 days of receipt of the panel's recommendation.

  (6) The decision of the Superintendent on an appeal is the final Board administrative action.

  (7) If the appropriation for TSSP is insufficient to cover all eligible teachers entitled to awards, the Superintendent shall reduce all awards by the same ratio and proportion.