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Committee extends return‑to‑work option for retired teachers to 2030 and gives districts local control
Summary
The House Retirement Committee voted to advance House Bill 372, which moves the sunset for a program allowing retired teachers with 30 years’ service to return to classroom work in high‑needs subjects; the bill extends the program to 2030 and lets each school system set its own high‑needs areas.
The House Retirement Committee recommended passage of House Bill 372, which would extend the sunset date for an existing ‘return‑to‑work’ program that lets teachers with 30 years of creditable service return to the classroom in high‑needs subject areas after a one‑year retirement hiatus.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Bethany Ballard, said the measure moves the sunset to 2030 and adds local control so each public school system can identify its high‑needs subject areas. “We wanna keep our good teachers,” Ballard said, adding that the change is intended to preserve experienced educators for districts that use the program.
Testimony from the Professional Association of Georgia Educators and the Georgia School Boards Association backed the extension. Robert Aycock of PAGE said the program is “vital” to filling hard‑to‑staff positions. Stephanie Tanner of GSBA described return‑to‑work as a top issue for districts and endorsed local flexibility. State Superintendent Richard Woods told the committee roughly 450 teachers currently take part statewide, and that some districts depend on the program for recruitment and retention.
A committee member asked that TRS or the Department of Audits and Accounts review potential fiscal impacts should the program expand beyond present levels; sponsor and witnesses said there was no immediate cost in the bill as drafted but that districts need time to plan for hires.
Chairman Erwin moved and Representative Horner seconded a do‑pass recommendation; the committee approved the bill by voice vote.
