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House committee backs pay-supplement pilot to keep master teachers in classrooms
Summary
The House Education Committee on March 4 recommended HB146, which expands a master teacher mentoring pilot to pay effective classroom teachers a supplement so they can remain in teaching roles while mentoring peers. USBE testified the pilot showed strong teacher satisfaction and participation across LEAs.
Representative Pucci (sponsor) told the committee that House Bill 146 would expand the Master Teacher mentoring program to provide classroom pay supplements intended to retain effective teachers and create school-based leadership opportunities for mentoring other teachers. "This really, in a nutshell, gives great teachers the opportunity to stay in the classroom," the sponsor said during opening remarks.
Superintendent Molly Hart of the Utah State Board of Education told committee members the program is a grant available to both districts and charters that can be customized for local needs. "I can't say enough good things about exactly what this program does," Hart said, describing the effort as "invigorating" for staff and highlighting flexibility for districts to structure leadership roles.
Committee members pressed on participation and fiscal impacts. Representative Jason E. Thompson asked whether other programs could be consolidated into this effort; Hart said the board would compile options and return on investment data for the committee. In response to Representative Tracy Miller, USBE listed participating LEAs and said 39 LEAs (districts and charters) have been involved in the pilot. USBE also shared survey results from participating teachers: about 85% said the pilot helped them improve, 98% said it improved how rewarding their day-to-day work felt, and roughly 96% reported greater satisfaction with remaining in teaching roles.
Piper Riddle, executive director of Northeastern Utah Educational Services and a current grantee, spoke in support during public comment, saying the stipend "provides some lift" and that the program empowers educators to lead while staying in classrooms.
Vice Chair Ariel DeFe moved to recommend HB146 favorably; the committee voted by unanimous voice vote to recommend the bill to the House with a favorable recommendation. The committee did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.
