SB 832 – This act establishes procedures by which school districts, boards of education, or consortiums of school districts can create teacher resource centers to provide professional support services to teachers. The Commissioner of Education shall provide funds for the establishment of teacher resource centers within available appropriations and as described below. This act describes procedures for applications to create a teacher resource center, review by DESE for approval/disapproval, and procedures for operation. Currently, in order to be eligible for state aid, a school district must allocate one percent of the moneys it receives from the state for a professional development committee in the district. Currently, $18 million is distributed by the commissioner of education to address statewide areas of critical need for learning and development. This act provides that such money can be distributed to teacher resource centers. Beginning in fiscal year 2009, no less than $2 million shall be distributed by the state board of education and the Commissioner of Education to the various teacher resource centers. Currently, such money is distributed to the "Success Leads to Success" grant program.
This act creates the Teacher Resource Center Fund. Money in the act shall be used only for teacher resource centers.
MICHAEL RUFF