Alaska teachers are one step closer to getting annual retention bonuses for the next three years.
At a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday, Sitka independent Rep. Rebecca Himschoot proposed an amendment to make the bonuses permanent, rather than just for three years.
“We already have a retirement system that doesn’t necessarily ask people to stay longer than five years,” she said. “By having this incentive for only three years, it’s sort of like, ‘Come in and do your three years and then go.’ I’m trying to find ways to support teachers longer.” Himschoot also introduced an amendment to extend the bonuses to paraprofessionals and support staff, citing and other workers. But Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, worried the cost of the amendments would put the whole bill at risk of failing.Both amendments failed in 3-4 votes. Committee members voted unanimously to move the bill out of committee, but not before some expressed concerns it could put “I talked to them about this bill, and they straight up told me, ‘This is not what we want.
Committee Chair Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, said the retention bonuses guaranteed direct support to teachers.
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