Governor Perdue Signs HB 455 Into Law

ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that he has signed House Bill 455 into law.

The law gives school systems an extra month to offer teacher contracts for next school year. Many systems are facing tight financial constraints because of the economic downturn, and the extra month will provide additional time to determine the number of teachers needed for the upcoming year. School districts now have until May 15, rather than April 15, to extend contracts and teachers have until June 1, rather than May 1, to accept their contracts.

The law also extends the sunset on the Master Teacher program, and ends the additional supplement to teachers who have leadership degrees that are not in leadership positions. Current teachers with these degrees will continue receiving the supplement. Teachers currently enrolled in a leadership degree program must receive the degree by July 1, 2010, to receive the supplement until they begin a leadership position.

For more information on this legislation, please visit www.legis.state.ga.us.

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