House approves Educator Assistance Act changes to contracts, planning days and retired certificates

The South Carolina House unanimously gave second reading to House Bill 3196, the Educator Assistance Act, approving a committee amendment and recording a roll-call tally of 111-0.

Chairwoman Erickson explained the amendment and the bill, saying the changes respond to teacher priorities and address contract and certification practices. Among the provisions retained or clarified in the adopted amendment: districts must maintain a sick-leave bank; teachers must be provided the district salary schedule when signing their annual contract; notice and assignment information must be provided in time for teachers to make informed decisions; and the retired educator certificate was changed from renewable to a lifetime certificate.

The amendment also revised the recertification schedule to tie maintenance of certification to ongoing professional development rather than a fixed five-year recertification test, lengthened the state-board complaint window from 30 to 60 days, and limited suspension for certain certificate matters to six months rather than a year. The bill specifies non-instructional days' allocation: four days for professional development, two for staff work days free from required meetings, and four for teacher planning and parent conferences.

Erickson framed the changes as respect and practical support for teachers: "Our teachers have been signing contracts without the dollar amount, without their teacher assignment of classes or schools. That would end that practice. This bill would do that for them." The House adopted the committee amendment and advanced the bill on second reading; the bill will return for additional legislative steps.

Votes and procedure: committee amendment adopted; second reading passed 111-0.

Notes: the bill drew supportive remarks from members and was presented as a collaborative product of educators, districts and the Department of Education.