National Board certified teachers; provide $4,000.00 annual salary supplement for those employed in certain geographical areas.

HB 1216 would provide National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) working in public schools within geographic areas designated by the State Board of Education as having critical teacher shortages with a $4,000 annual salary supplement. This supplement is paid in addition to teachers' base salaries and aims to support retention in regions facing staffing challenges. The State Board of Education would determine which specific areas qualify as "geographically critical teacher shortage areas" for the program. The bill does not affect existing salary structures for NBCTs outside these designated areas.