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Committee advances bill to fund English learner programs and teacher stipends
Summary
In executive action the committee amended and advanced HB 361, which would revise English learner program parameters, change stipend amounts for qualified ELL teachers and reallocate appropriations; staff said stipend levels would align with National Board teacher payments.
The House Education Committee conducted executive action on House Bill 361, a measure to revise education laws for English learners and to create state funding and teacher stipend provisions supporting English-language learners (ELL).
Staff told the committee HB 361 (sponsored by Representative Keogh) adds program parameters for Title 3 ELL programs, sets stipend amounts aligned with National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) levels, and adjusts the state/local funding match. Under the amendment the first stipend level would be set at 50% of the quality educator payment and a higher stipend—85% of that payment—would apply to teachers serving in high-poverty or impacted schools. The amendment also changed appropriation levels: the ELL program appropriation was reduced from $5,000,000 to $1,000,000 while the stipend appropriation was increased from $25,000 to $75,000 to reflect higher per-teacher stipend values and a new matching ratio.
Vice Chair Romano moved the amendment and spoke in favor, stressing the need for certified and qualified ELL teachers and acknowledging she wished program funding could be higher but supported focusing on recruiting those teachers. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote (a proxy was recorded for Representative Seekins Crowe). Following amendment passage, members moved that the bill as amended 'do pass'; the committee approved the motion by voice vote and the chair announced HB 361 would pass to the floor.
The transcript records committee action advancing the amended bill but does not include a roll-call tally; votes were recorded by voice and proxy notation.
