Grants for hiring teachers

§ 3037. Grants for hiring teachers. 1. For purposes of this section, the following term shall have the following meaning: "Eligible teacher" shall mean an individual that: (a) is certified to teach in New York state pursuant to section three thousand four of this article; or holds a Master's degree or Ph.D. in Mathematics, Science, Technology or Education; or holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Science, Technology or Education and is currently enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program in Mathematics, Science, Technology or Education within five years from the later of the effective date of this section or the employment start date with the nonpublic school, (b) teaches Mathematics, Science or Technology in any grades from three through twelve, and (c) is employed by a nonpublic school.

2. (a) Within amounts appropriated therefor, nonpublic schools shall, upon application, be reimbursed by the department for the salaries of eligible teachers. Each school which seeks a reimbursement pursuant to this section shall submit to the office of religious and independent schools an application therefor, together with such additional documents as the commissioner may reasonably require, at such times, in such form and containing such information as the commissioner may prescribe by regulation. Applications for reimbursement pursuant to this section must be received by August first of each year for schools to be reimbursed for the salaries of eligible teachers in the prior year.

(b) Pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subdivision, reimbursement for eligible teachers shall be the average comparable teacher salary and personal service, per subject area, of public school teachers in the school district in which such nonpublic schools are located, multiplied by the percentage of full time equivalent secular instructional hours completed in the school day per subject area. Reimbursements shall not be provided for eligible teachers who provide instruction in mathematics, science or technology if such teachers also provide non-secular instruction in any capacity.

(c) In the event that the applications for reimbursement under this section exceed the appropriation available for this program, then each applicant shall only be reimbursed an amount equal to the percentage that each such applicant represents to the total of all applications submitted.

3. The commissioner may promulgate any rules or regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.