HB1477

House Bill 1477 modifies the Arkansas Teacher of the Year Act to include open-enrollment public charter schools in the nomination and selection process. The bill amends current law to allow the governing bodies of these charter schools to submit an applicant for consideration for the state's Teacher of the Year award. If a teacher from an open-enrollment public charter school is selected, the bill establishes that the school is responsible for placing that teacher on paid administrative leave during their year of service. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education must reimburse these charter schools for the selected teacher's salary, benefits, and approved incidental expenses, mirroring the support currently provided to traditional school districts. The bill also ensures the teacher has the right to return to their former employment following their leave.