§421.9.  Supplements to salaries of school psychologists having certain credentials issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board

A.  A full-time school psychologist who holds both a valid Louisiana ancillary certificate approved and issued by the state Department of Education and a National Certified School Psychologist credential issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board and who is employed by a school board to provide services to students shall receive from the school board, in addition to annual salary, an annual amount not to exceed five thousand dollars with such amount to be distributed in the same manner as the annual salary.

B.(1)  Any school psychologist verified to have been awarded the certificate issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board by June thirtieth shall be paid the initial supplement beginning in the school year immediately following such date provided he submits appropriate documentation to his employing school board.

(2)  The school board shall submit the appropriate documentation as required by the Department of Education no later than a date to be determined no later than September 15, 2004, by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for verification of the documentation and in order to receive reimbursement as provided in Subsection C of this Section.

C.  Subject to the appropriation of funds for this purpose, the amount of the salary supplement provided by a school board to a school psychologist pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be reimbursed to the school board annually by the state Department of Education out of funds appropriated for such purpose.  However, no such reimbursement shall exceed five thousand dollars per year per school psychologist.

D.  The salary supplement of any school psychologist authorized by this Section shall continue for a period not to exceed the term of the national professional certificate as determined by the National School Psychology Certification Board, which is a period not to exceed three years.  However, such supplement shall continue in effect without interruption as long as the school psychologist provides to the school board documentation of renewal by the national board.

E.  For the purposes of this Section, "school board" means the governing authority of any public elementary or secondary school.

F.(1)  The supplements provided for in this Section shall be phased-in as follows:

(a)  Those who are entitled to a supplement under this Section in the 2003-2004 school year shall receive one thousand dollars.

(b)  Those who are entitled to a supplement under this Section in the 2004-2005 school year shall receive two thousand five hundred dollars.

(c)  Those who are entitled to a supplement under this Section in the 2005-2006 school year and thereafter shall receive the supplement otherwise provided for in this Section.

(2)  The provisions for phasing-in payments pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not extend the period of eligibility to receive payments.

(3)  No school board shall be required to pay the supplement to any school psychologist as provided in Subsection A of this Section until funds are appropriated by the legislature specifically for this purpose.

G.  In addition to any other requirements of this Section, to receive the salary adjustment provided by this Section, an otherwise eligible person shall be awarded the initial credential issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board prior to July 1, 2013.  However, the employing school board may, but shall not be required to, pay the additional amount to an otherwise eligible person who was awarded the initial credential issued by the  National School Psychology Certification Board on or after July 1, 2013.  This Subsection is enacted to determine if the salary adjustment will attract and retain full-time school psychologists who hold a valid ancillary certificate approved and issued by the state Department of Education.

Acts 2003, No. 511, §1; Acts 2004, No. 243, §1, eff. June 15, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 73, §1, eff. May 25, 2006; Acts 2013, No. 319, §1.