National Board certified teachers; provide $4,000.00 annual salary supplement for those employed in certain geographical areas.

HB 1137 would provide National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) working in Mississippi public schools with a $4,000 annual salary supplement if they are employed in areas designated by the State Board of Education as having critical teacher shortages. This new supplement would be in addition to teachers' regular salaries and any other existing benefits. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 37-19-7 to establish this provision for NBCTs in designated shortage areas. The State Board of Education would determine which geographic areas qualify as "geographically critical teacher shortage areas" for the purpose of this funding.