Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary:
(1) (a) If funds are appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose, a local board of education shall provide an annual salary supplement to all speech- language pathologists or audiologists:
1. Who are employed by the local board of education to provide or coordinate speech-language pathology or audiology services for students; and
2. Who hold:
a. i. A certificate of clinical competence issued by the American
Speech-Language Hearing Association; or
ii. Board certification from the American Board of
Audiology; and
b. i. A valid Kentucky credential approved and issued by the Education Professional Standards Board under KRS Chapter 161; or
ii. A license approved and issued by the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology under KRS Chapter 334A.
(b) The salary supplement shall be in the same amount as the salary supplement provided to a public school teacher who has attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as provided in KRS
157.395. If the amount appropriated by the General Assembly is less than the amount necessary to meet the requirements of this paragraph, the salary supplement received by each qualified speech-language pathologist or audiologist shall be reduced proportionately by the Department of Education so that all eligible individuals receive the same amount as a supplement.
(c) The supplement shall remain available to a speech-language pathologist or audiologist so long as funds are appropriated for this purpose by the General Assembly, and the speech-language pathologist or audiologist continues to meet the requirements established by this subsection. The supplement shall cease if the speech-language pathologist or audiologist is employed in another capacity by the local board where the provision of speech-language pathology or audiology services is incidental to his or her other duties.
(d) The Department of Education shall:
1. Determine how many speech-language pathologists and audiologists qualify for the supplement each year;
2. Determine the amount of the supplement available each year for each qualified speech-language pathologist and audiologist based on appropriated funds available;
3. Notify each local board of education of the supplement amount available
to each qualifying speech-language pathologist and audiologist employed by the local board of education; and
4. Develop a process for payment to local boards of education of supplement amounts due;
(2) If funds are not appropriated by the General Assembly to support the salary supplement established by subsection (1) of this section, a local board of education may provide an annual salary supplement under the conditions established by subsection (1) of this section using the resources available to the local board of education; and
(3) The supplement authorized by this section shall be considered in the calculation for contribution to the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System.
Effective: July 15, 2010
History: Created 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 109, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2010.