Professional Growth Compensation
Certified Staff
For 2011-12 Contract Year
I know the State will be cutting school districts’ budgets. Will we be able to afford professional growth
compensation for 2011-2012?
We are expecting a substantial cut in our budget. We do not know what will happen with professional
growth, so please submit the paperwork. Final decisions may be delayed as we wait for a final budget
from the State.
I completed six hours in the Fall of 2008 but have not submitted the hours for payment. Can I still submit?
No. As you recall the district implemented a major restructure of the salary schedule and changed the
method for compensating professional development. As a one time event, all earned professional growth
was added to teachers’ base pay in the 2009-10 school year. Eligible teachers were required to submit their
intent forms by February 1, 2009, for budget planning and their final transcripts by October 1, 2009.
Therefore, coursework completed prior to the Fall of 2009 (August 1, 2009) is no longer eligible for
submittal/compensation.
Can I submit classes completed in the Fall of 2009?
Yes, you can. It would have been to your advantage to submit those classes by February 1, 2010 for
payment in 2010-11. However, if you did not submit a request for compensation last spring you may do so
by February 15, 2011.
I submitted a request by February 1, 2010, for 6 hours of credit. I later discovered I had 2 more hours I
forgot to submit. Can I submit those by February 15, 2011?
No. Once you request a pay increase, coursework completed prior to the increase will no longer be eligible
for submittal. This practice ensures teachers maximize their earnings. It also simplifies the tracking
process to eliminate the need to track which courses are “used” and “unused” and avoid a possible double
payment.
I will be submitting transcripts for completion of my Master’s. Will I be eligible for the $1000 additional
compensation for my MA degree?
The stipend was created to ensure teachers who are paid the new, lower rate for semester hours make
approximately the same as the old structure. If you were not paid under the old structure (higher rate)
through BA24, you will be eligible for the $1000 additional pay when you receive your MA degree.
How many hours can I submit each year?
A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 18 semester hours per calendar year.
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I completed 21 hours in the 2010 calendar year, can I carry over the additional 3 hours to the next year for
payment?
No, a teacher may only get paid 18 per year. Hours will not be carried over for payment.
I took 21 hours from January 1 through December 31, 2010, and I did not understand that the hours would
not count in future years. Will you make an exception and allow me to carryover 3 hours?
Because this was not clearly communicated, teachers who have more than 18 hours in 2010 will be paid for
the entire amount. However, in future years, semester hours that exceed 18 will be lost.
I received a transcript from Staff Development but it does not look like the coursework has been noted as
“used” for salary advancement.
The total semester hours on the in-district transcripts will no longer applicable to coursework available for
salary advancement/professional growth. When in district classes are used for salary advancement, they
are not tracked in the system as we are going to move to a date-sensitive process. (In February, teachers
will submit hours taken the previous calendar year.)
After the one time pay off of professional development coursework, I had 8 points of in-district credit left
over – not enough for a semester hour of credit? What can I do with the 8 points?
For a period of time after the restructure, Staff Development continued to offer classes with less than 15
points. This allowed teachers to take classes to reach the 15 points necessary for one semester hour of
credit. Staff Development subsequently advertised and implemented a change in the structure of in-district
courses. At this time, all courses are 15 contact hours (or one semester hour) at a minimum. There are no
more in-district courses of less than 15 points. Teachers may still use the points for certificate renewal.
When will my compensation begin?
Typically, your additional compensation for professional growth will be included in your new contract and
begin with your first pay. Due to the budget crisis, decisions regarding salary for 2011-12 may not be made
in time to include in your new year contracts.
General
How many hours can I submit each year?
A minimum of 3 combination of in district and graduate level approved coursework and a maximum of 18
semester hours per calendar year.
What if I have less than 3 hours?
If you do not have a minimum of three hours, please wait until the next year and submit your request with a
maximum of three hours.
I am at MA60. Am I eligible for professional growth?
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Teachers will not be eligible for professional growth compensation beyond EdD, PhD, or *96 semester
hours (MA required) at this time. After the first year, the committee will review the professional growth
budget and make a recommendation regarding professional growth compensation beyond MA+60.
*96 semester hours equivalent to MA (36 semester hours) plus 60
What if I get a second Master’s degree?
In the future, teachers will be compensated $1000 for the first MA and $500 for a second.
I am currently at MA60 and am working on a second Master’s degree. Will I be eligible for the $500?
Yes, however, you may not exceed the maximum salary on the schedule.
Will the compensation for an advanced degree affect my base pay?
Additional compensation for advanced degrees will be added to your base.
There is a top salary on the salary range. Can I exceed that range based upon professional development?
No, the top salary in the range is the maximum salary for certified teachers, please see salary schedules.
Can I submit more than 54 hours if I only have a BA degree?
Teachers will not be eligible for professional growth compensation beyond 54 semester hours unless they
have a MA degree.
Is there still a limit on the salary increase (raise) if I do not have a Master’s degree?
Teachers must earn a Master’s or BA+36 on or before December 31st prior to the beginning of their eighth
year of employment in order to continue to receive the flat portion of the annual salary increase.
What is the deadline for submittal?
The request form and official transcripts must be submitted no later than February 15th, 4:30 pm.
Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.
If I miss the deadline, can I submit a request the next year?
It is to your advantage to submit timely so you can begin compensation as soon as possible. However, you
may submit hours completed between August 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010, AS LONG AS YOU
HAVE NOT REQUESTED AND BEEN AWARDED A SALARY INCREASE DURING THE
SAME TIME PERIOD. After a request for professional growth is processed, coursework completed in
previous calendar years will not be eligible for credit. This eliminates the need for a complex system for
you and the district to track used and unused credits and ensures we avoid a possible double payment.
When will my compensation begin?
Typically, your additional compensation for professional growth will be included in your new contract and
begin with your first pay.
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Do I have to have official transcripts, or is a copy sufficient?
Official transcripts on university paper or with university seal are required. NAU Chandler cohort
transcripts are issued through Staff Development.
Do they have to be in a sealed envelope?
No. In fact, it is best to open transcripts and ensure all the coursework is recorded. Then attach the official
transcripts to the request form and send to your HR representative.
May I submit Escript transcripts?
Yes, you may make a copy of an Escript transcript and attach it to your request form. In some instances,
HR may request an official transcript on university paper to support your documentation.
Should I have my transcripts sent directly to HR?
No. It is easy to lose documents when sent separately. Please send transcripts to your home address,
attach to the form, and send as a packet to your HR representative.
Is there a passing grade requirement for my course work to be used for Professional Growth?
Yes, a grade of “C” or above is accepted for salary advancement.
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