The president or chief executive officer of any state college or university, the president or chief executive officer of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Presidents of Talladega College, Concordia College, Samford University, Birmingham-Southern College, and Selma University may appoint and employ one or more suitable persons to act as police officers to keep off intruders and prevent trespass upon and damage to the property of the college or university or of the institute. These persons shall be charged with all the duties and invested with all the powers of police officers.

This section is cumulative.

(a) The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services Department District, the Alabama School of Math and Science, and the Alabama School of Fine Arts for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the following criteria. It is the intent of the Legislature that this section does not make appropriations.

(1) KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12 (K-12). A six and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each teacher employed in all public school programs for the fiscal year 1993-94 over and above the salary received during the 1992-93 fiscal year. A six and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each public education support worker employed for the fiscal year 1993-94 over and above the total salary received during the 1992-93 fiscal year regardless of number of positions held, excepting employees covered under the state's Merit System at the Department of Youth Services.

(2) ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND. A six and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each person employed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for the fiscal year 1993-94 over and above the salary received during the 1992-93 fiscal year.

(3) POSTSECONDARY. All salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions shall be revised by the State Board of Education to reflect a salary increase of six and one-half percent. The six and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each person employed for the fiscal year in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges in Alabama, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on said salary schedules. Those employees entitled to credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges of Alabama as previously required by Acts 88-691 and 85-796 and 90-325 who have not been granted such credit on the salary schedules shall be provided backpay if such credit has not been provided.

(b) All of the salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in this Code.

(c) Salary increases mandated by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education for county and city boards of education shall be understood to apply to employees with contracts of up to 180 days. Additional pro rata salary increments shall be granted to those employees whose contracts extend beyond 180 days.

(d) The salary increases contained throughout any pay raise act as passed by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be exclusive of all local increments due.

(e) No employee shall be dismissed or have his work hours or salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise act mandated by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education.

(f) Each city and county board of education shall establish and maintain a written salary schedule for each class and type of employee.

(g) Any person employed by any city or county board of education, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Youth Services Department School District, the Alabama School of Math and Science, or the Alabama School of Fine Arts who holds an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning shall be entitled to a pay provision of $1,000 per fiscal year for the earned doctorate degree. This provision shall remain in effect from year to year for those employees who from time to time receive earned doctorate degrees from accredited institutions of higher learning.

(a) The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services Department District, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the following criteria. It is not the intent of the Legislature to make an appropriation in this section.

(1) KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12 (K-12). An eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each teacher employed in all public school programs for the fiscal year 1994-95 over and above the salary received during the 1993-94 fiscal year. An eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each public education support worker employed for the fiscal year 1994-95 over and above the total salary received during the 1993-94 fiscal year, excepting employees covered under the state Merit System at the Department of Youth Services District.

(2) ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND. An eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each person employed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for the fiscal year 1994-95 over and above the salary received during the 1993-94 fiscal year.

(3) POSTSECONDARY. All salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions shall be revised by the State Board of Education to reflect a salary increase of eight and one-half percent. The eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each person employed for the fiscal year in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges in Alabama, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Those employees entitled to credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges of Alabama as previously required by Acts 85-796, 88-691, 90-325, and 93-646 who have not been granted the credit on the salary schedules shall be provided backpay if the credit has not been provided.

(b) The following provisions are hereby established.

(1) All of the salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education, shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1.

(2) Salary increases mandated by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education for county and city boards of education shall be understood to apply to employees with contracts of up to 180 days. Additional pro rata salary increments shall be granted to those employees whose contracts extend beyond 180 days.

(3) The salary increase contained throughout any pay raise act as passed by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be exclusive of all local increments due.

(4) No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours or salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise act mandated by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education.

(5) Each city and county board of education shall establish and maintain a written salary schedule for each class and type of employee.

(6) Any person employed by any city or county board of education, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Youth Services Department District, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, or the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science who holds an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning shall be entitled to a pay provision of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per fiscal year for the earned doctorate degree. This provision shall remain in effect from year to year for those employees who from time to time receive earned doctorate degrees from accredited institutions of higher learning.

(7) All education support personnel salary schedules in the city and county school systems, the Youth Services Department District, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, shall be revised to reflect at least an eight and one-half percent raise for all steps, but in no case shall this revision be less than one thousand dollars ($1,000). At least one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be given to each full-time person employed and to all adult bus drivers.

(8) Funds contained in the annual education appropriations act for the public schools for cafeteria personnel salaries shall be used only for that purpose. Cafeteria operating funds shall not be used for salary increases thereby supplanting those funds provided by the Legislature's appropriations for cafeteria employee salaries.

(a) The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services Department District, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science, for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the following criteria. It is not the intent of the Legislature to make an appropriation in this section.

(1) CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1996, and each year thereafter, each cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by four percent (4%) in addition to the amounts contained in the 1995-96 annual budget act as required and provided by Acts 95-313 and 95-314 and as contained in Section 16-6B-8 and Section 16-13-231 as amended. If the increases in the State Minimum Salary Schedule required in this subsection do not guarantee at least an increase in pay for each teacher in the amount of four percent (4%), then the teacher shall be guaranteed a pay increase in the amount of four percent (4%) for fiscal year 1996-97 and such pay increase shall be reflected in the appropriate local salary schedule and paid to each certificated employee, excepting superintendents of education. Each certificated employee shall be properly placed on the State Minimum Salary Schedule according to degree earned and years of public education service (either in-state or out-of-state). The employee shall be paid according to degree earned and the length of public education experience. The local board of education shall transmit to the State Department of Education the appropriate notice of the earned advanced degree for each employee in a timely fashion; thereafter, the employee shall be paid for the advanced degree as soon as the degree is certified to the State Department of Education as being earned.

(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (K-12). A four percent (4%) salary increase shall be paid to each public education support worker and adult bus driver employed for the fiscal year 1996-97 in addition to the salary received during the 1995-96 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state's Merit System at the Department of Youth Services District. Each board of education shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a four percent (4%) pay increase which shall be given to the person employed for the 1996-97 fiscal year and each year thereafter. No state-provided fringe benefits for any lunchroom worker shall be paid from lunchroom sales or from any other aspect of the Child Nutrition Program. Salary increases provided herein and state-provided fringe benefits are funded from the annual Education Trust Fund appropriation in the Foundation Program and shall not be taken from the Child Nutrition Program.

(3) AIDB. A four percent (4%) salary increase shall be given to each person employed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for the fiscal year 1996-97 in addition to the salary received during the 1995-96 fiscal year. The board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a four percent (4%) pay increase which shall be paid to the person employed for the 1996-97 fiscal year and each year thereafter.

(4) POSTSECONDARY. All salary schedules of two-year postsecondary institutions shall be revised by the State Board of Education to reflect an increase of four percent (4%) for fiscal year 1996-97. The pay increase shall be paid to each person employed for the fiscal year in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges in Alabama, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. The State Board of Education shall insure that all eligible employees who have not reached the maximum step at each public two-year postsecondary institution shall receive a step raise on the appropriate salary schedule. The pay raises provided for in this section shall be paid in addition to the step raise for any employee who has the requisite number of years to receive the step increase based on the 1995-96 salary schedule.

(b) The following provisions are hereby established:

(1) FISCAL YEAR. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1 as amended.

(2) EXTENDED WORK. Employees on contracts which extend beyond 180 days shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each day or partial day of work extending beyond 180 days.

(3) LOCAL INCREMENT. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule provided for in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to the employee under provisions of the local salary schedule.

(4) REDUCED PAY. No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours reduced or extended or have his or her salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise mandated by the Legislature or by the State Board of Education.

(5) COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Each local board of education shall have the option to exclude from state mandated raises any community education or school sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the regular K-12 program required by the state (e.g. extended-day, pre-school and summer enrichment programs).

(6) ADULT BASIC EDUCATION. All adult basic education program employees shall be given the cost-of-living adjustment increase provided for by this section. The local board of education shall transfer to the adult basic education fund sufficient monies to pay the full cost of the salary increase provided in this section.

(a) The state Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services School District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the criteria established in this section. It is not the intent of this section to make appropriations, but the appropriations required by this section shall be made in the annual budget act for the public schools and colleges for the designated fiscal years.

(1) CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2000, and each year thereafter, each step and cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by the amounts below in addition to the amounts contained in the State Minimum Salary Schedule for the 1999-2000 annual budget act for the public schools as required and provided by Sections 16-6B-8 and 16-13-231. For fiscal year 2000-2001, the State Minimum Salary Schedule shall reflect the following percentage increases:

(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (K-12). A four percent salary increase shall be paid to each public education support worker and adult bus driver employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 1999-2000 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state Merit System at the Department of Youth Services School District. Each governing body of authority shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a four percent pay increase which shall be given to the person employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. A separate salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job. No salary increase or state-provided fringe benefits for any lunchroom worker shall be paid from lunchroom sales or from any other aspect of the Child Nutrition Program. Salary increases provided herein and state-provided fringe benefits are funded from the annual budget act for the public schools and shall not be taken from the Child Nutrition Program.

(3) AIDB. For the fiscal year 2000-2001, employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall receive pay increases which shall be in excess of their salaries received during the 1999-2000 fiscal year. The increases shall be as follows:

a. Certificated. The salary schedule for certificated employees shall be revised to reflect at least the following amount of raises:

b. Support. A four percent salary increase shall be given to each support worker employed.

c. Miscellaneous Requirements. The board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect the pay increases above which shall be given to each person employed for the 2000-2001 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. The raises contained in this subsection shall be paid to each employee. A separate salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job.

(4) TWO-YEAR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. The State Board of Education shall revise all salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions to reflect an increase of four percent for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. The pay increases shall be given to each person employed in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Placement on the revised salary schedules shall be in accordance with the employee's length of service in public education. No pay increase shall be given to any two-year postsecondary employee in excess of four percent, except as specifically provided in this section. Every employee on salary schedules C-3 shall receive at least a four percent cost-of-living adjustment.

(b) Miscellaneous provisions. The following provisions are hereby established:

(1) FISCAL YEAR. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1, as amended.

(2) EXTENDED WORK. Public school employees on contracts which extend beyond 182 days shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each day or partial day of work extending beyond 182 days.

(3) LOCAL INCREMENT. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule for teachers as provided in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to teachers under provisions of the local salary schedule. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or pay increase required by this section for public school support personnel shall be in addition to any pay increase granted or due to the employees under provisions of the local salary schedules.

(4) REDUCED PAY. No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours reduced or extended or have his or her salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise enacted by the Legislature or required by the State Board of Education.

(5) COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Each county and city board of education shall have the option to exclude from the provisions of this section any community education or school-sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the state-required educational program.

(6) LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to superintendents of education of any school system. Any pay increase given to the superintendent shall be by recorded vote of the governing board of authority.

(7) CAREER TECHNICAL PROGRAMS. There shall be no cutbacks or decreases in the Career Technical Programs of any board as a result of this or any preceding pay raise act of the Legislature. Neither the salaries nor the number of career technical employee positions are to be reduced or diminished in any manner or method as a result of the passage of this section or any prior act after the 1995 fiscal year granting pay increase to any employee of the board. It shall be strictly prohibited for any board or chief executive officer to take monies from the Career Technical Program to finance, in whole or in part, the programs or the salaries of the employees in the Career Technical Program of the board, and the State Board of Education shall take care to protect the viability of the Career Technical Programs of each board.

(a) Pay increases, FY 2002-2003. The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services School District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the criteria established in this section. It is not the intent of this section to make appropriations, but the appropriations required by this section shall be made in the annual budget act for the public schools and colleges.

(1) CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2002, and each year thereafter, each certificated employee at all city and county school systems and the teachers at the Department of Youth Services School District shall receive a three percent salary increase. Each step and cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by the amounts below for the fiscal year 2002-2003, the State Minimum Salary Schedule shall reflect the following percentage increases:

All certificated employees, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion employees, shall be guaranteed pay increases in the amounts indicated above for their years of experience and degrees earned, and the corresponding pay increases shall be reflected in the appropriate local salary schedule and paid to each certificated employee. The provisions and requirements of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of Section 16-13-231.1, relating to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. Each certificated employee shall be properly placed on the local salary schedule according to degree earned and years of public education service, either in-state or out-of-state, which shall be not less than the amounts appropriated for the State Minimum Salary Schedule. The employee shall be paid according to degree earned and length of public education experience. The pay increase shall be given to each person employed for the 2002-2003 fiscal year in addition to any state or local step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The local board of education shall transmit to the State Department of Education the appropriate notice of the earned advanced degree for each employee in a timely fashion; thereafter, the employee shall be paid for the advanced degree as soon as the degree is certified to the State Department of Education as being earned. The annual budget act for public education shall contain an appropriation of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each teacher who successfully completes the certification process offered by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). This provision reflects a continuation of the appropriation provided in Act 98-510 and Act 2000-734. Payment for passing the NBPTS test shall be appropriated from the Education Trust Fund and shall be given to the qualified teacher in a lump sum payment during the month of October each year thereafter. The NBPTS payment shall be subject to the Teachers' Retirement System's formula for retirement purposes.

(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (K-12). A three percent salary increase shall be paid to each public education support worker and adult bus driver, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion personnel, employed for the 2002-2003 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 2001-2002 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state Merit System at the Department of Youth Services School District. Each governing body of authority shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a three percent pay increase which shall be given to the person employed for the 2002-2003 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. A separate salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job. No salary increase or state-provided fringe benefits for any lunchroom worker shall be paid from lunchroom sales or from any other aspect of the Child Nutrition Program. Salary increases provided herein and state-provided fringe benefits are funded from the annual budget act for the public schools and shall not be taken from the Child Nutrition Program.

(3) AIDB. For the fiscal year 2002-2003, employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall receive pay increases which shall be in excess of their salaries received during the 2001-2002 fiscal year. The increases shall be as follows:

a. Certificated. The salary schedule for certificated employees shall be revised to reflect at least the following amount of raises:

c. Miscellaneous requirements. The board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect the pay increases above which shall be given to each person employed for the 2002-2003 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. The raises contained in this subsection shall be paid to each employee. A separate salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job and position.

(4) TWO-YEAR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. The State Board of Education shall revise all salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions to reflect an increase of three percent for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. The pay increases shall be given to each person employed in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Placement on the revised salary schedules shall be in accordance with the employee's length of service in public education. No pay increase shall be given to any two-year postsecondary employee in excess of three percent, except as specifically provided in this section. Every employee on salary schedules C-3 shall receive at least a three percent cost-of-living adjustment.

(b) Miscellaneous provisions. The following provisions are hereby established:

(1) FISCAL YEAR. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1, as amended.

(2) EXTENDED WORK. Public school employees on contracts which extend beyond 182 days shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each day or partial day of work extending beyond 182 days.

(3) LOCAL INCREMENT. Any cost-of-living adjustment or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule for teachers as provided in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to teachers under provisions of the local salary schedule. Any cost-of-living adjustment or pay increase required by this section for public school support personnel shall be in addition to any pay increase granted or due to the employees under provisions of the local salary schedules. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to the federal portion of the salary paid to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor employed by a local school board.

(4) REDUCED PAY. No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours reduced or extended or have his or her salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise required by the Legislature or by the State Board of Education.

(5) COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Each county and city board of education shall have the option to exclude from the provisions of this section any community education or school-sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the state-required educational program.

(6) LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to superintendents of education of any school system. Any pay increase given to the superintendent shall be by recorded vote of the governing board of authority.

(7) CAREER TECHNICAL PROGRAMS. There shall be no cutbacks or decreases in the Career Technical Programs of any board as a result of this or any preceding pay raise act of the Legislature. Neither the salaries nor the number of career technical employee positions are to be reduced or diminished in any manner or method as a result of the passage of this section or any prior act after the 1995 fiscal year granting pay increase to any employee of the board. It shall be strictly prohibited for any board or chief executive officer to take monies from the Career Technical Program to finance, in whole or in part, the programs or the salaries of the employees in the Career Technical Program of the board, and the State Board of Education shall take care to protect the viability of the Career Technical Program of each board.

(8) ANNIVERSARY DATE OF EMPLOYMENT. The employee shall be placed on the appropriate salary schedule according to length of service and degree earned as contained in this section. The length of employment shall include both in-state and out-of-state years of public education experience. Placement on the salary schedule shall be calculated according to the anniversary date of employment.

(a) The state Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the boards of trustees of the public universities, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services School District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the criteria established in this section. It is not the intent of this section to make appropriations, but the appropriations required by this section shall be made in the annual budget act for the public schools and colleges.

(1) CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1998, and each year thereafter, each cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by eight and one-half percent (8.5%) in addition to the amounts contained in the State Minimum Salary Schedule for the 1997-98 annual budget act for the public schools as required and provided by Sections 16-6B-8 and 16-13-231. Each certificated employee, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion employees, shall be guaranteed a pay increase in the amount of eight and one-half percent (8.5%) and such pay increase shall be reflected in the appropriate local salary schedule and paid to each certificated employee. The provisions and requirements of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of Section 16-13-231.1, relating to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. Each certificated employee shall be properly placed on the state salary matrix according to degree earned and years of public education service (either in-state or out-of-state). The employee shall be paid according to degree earned and length of public education experience. The pay increases shall be given to each person employed for the 1998-99 fiscal year in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The local board of education shall transmit to the State Department of Education the appropriate notice of the earned advanced degree for each employee in a timely fashion; thereafter, the employee shall be paid for the advanced degree as soon as the degree is certified to the State Department of Education as being earned. Each teacher who successfully passes or has passed the test offered by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) shall be entitled to an additional $1,500 per year and given to the teacher for each year thereafter. Payment for passing the NBPTS test shall be appropriated from the Education Trust Fund and shall be given to the qualified teacher in a lump sum payment during the month of October each year after the teacher passes the test. Those teachers who passed the NBPTS exam in previous years shall also be entitled to the annual $1,500 pay per year beginning October 1, 1998.

(2) EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL (K-12). An eight and one-half percent (8.5%) salary increase shall be paid to each public education support worker and adult bus driver employed for the 1998-99 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 1997-98 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state's Merit System at the Department of Youth Services District. Each governing board of authority shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect an eight and one-half percent (8.5%) pay increase which shall be given to the person employed for the 1998-99 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. No state-provided fringe benefits for any lunchroom worker shall be paid from lunchroom sales or from any other aspect of the Child Nutrition Program. Salary increases provided herein and state-provided fringe benefits are funded from the annual budget act for the public schools and shall not be taken from the Child Nutrition Program.

(3) AIDB. An eight and one-half percent (8.5%) salary increase shall be given to each person employed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for the 1998-99 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 1997-98 fiscal year. The board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect an eight and one-half percent (8.5%) pay increase which shall be given to each person employed for the 1998-99 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter.

(4) TWO-YEAR POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. The State Board of Education shall revise all salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions to reflect an increase of eight and one-half percent (8.5%) for 1998-99 fiscal year. The pay increases shall be given to each person employed in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The State Board of Education shall add a new step to all salary schedules. The new step shall be "Step 20." The number of increments between Steps 15 and 20 shall be the same as existed in fiscal year 1997-98 which separated Steps 10 and 15. In addition, employees who have reached the maximum salary on the C-3 salary schedule and who have 20 or more years of service shall be given a 6.5% increase in salary. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Placement on the revised salary schedules shall be in accordance with the employee's length of service in public education. No pay increase shall be given to any two-year postsecondary employee in excess of eight and one-half percent (8.5%), except as specifically provided in this section.

(5) PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES. It is the intent of the Legislature that the colleges and universities listed below shall utilize a. the savings realized from the reduction in the Teachers' Retirement System employer rate and b. the respective increases in the state appropriations, for cost-of-living increases/pay raises for their personnel. This subdivision shall apply to the following colleges and universities: 1. Alabama A and M University; 2. Alabama State University; 3. University of Alabama System; 4. Auburn University System; 5. Jacksonville State University; 6. University of Montevallo; 7. University of North Alabama; 8. University of South Alabama; 9. Troy State University System; and 10. University of West Alabama.

(b) The following provisions are hereby established:

(1) FISCAL YEAR. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1.

(2) EXTENDED WORK. Public school employees on contracts which extend beyond 180 days shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each day or partial day of work extending beyond 180 days.

(3) LOCAL INCREMENT. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule for teachers as provided in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to teachers under provisions of the local salary schedule. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or pay increase required by this section for public school support personnel shall be in addition to any local pay increase granted or due to the employees under provisions of the local salary schedules.

(4) REDUCED PAY. No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours reduced or extended or have his or her salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise enacted by the Legislature or required by the State Board of Education.

(5) COMMUNITY EDUCATION. Each county and city board of education shall have the option to exclude from the provisions of this section any community education or school-sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the state-required educational program.

(6) LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to superintendents of education or the chief executive officers of any school system. Any pay increase given to the superintendent shall be by recorded vote of the governing board of authority.

(a) Definitions. When used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) EMPLOYEE. Any person employed by a school board.

(2) EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The superintendent of any public county or city school system; the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the president of any two-year school or college under the auspices of the State Board of Education; the Superintendent of the Department of Youth Services School District; the Executive Director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; and the Executive Director of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

(3) LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY PERSONNEL SYSTEM (LEAPS). The data base established and maintained by the Alabama Department of Education for record keeping of all data related to certificated and non-certificated personnel at each board of education.

(4) PERSONNEL AND ENROLLMENT REPORTING SYSTEM (PERS). The data base established and maintained by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education for record keeping of all data related to personnel and enrollment at postsecondary institutions.

(5) PERSONNEL RECORD. All records, information, data, or materials pertaining to an employee kept by the executive officer of the school board or other employees of the school board in any form or retrieval system whatsoever.

(6) SCHOOL BOARD or BOARD OF EDUCATION or BOARD. As applied to employees in the public schools, grade kindergarten through grade 12, any county or city board of education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Alabama Youth Services Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services School District; the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Board of Directors of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science; and, as applied to two-year postsecondary education institutions only, the State Board of Education.

(b) Establishment and maintenance of records. Each board shall establish and maintain a personnel file on each employee. It shall be the responsibility of the executive officer of each school board to supervise the maintenance of personnel files and to maintain updated, complete, and accurate records.

(c) Employee access and response. The employee, or any person designated in writing by the employee, may, upon request, review all of the contents in his or her personnel file and receive copies of any documents contained in the file. No document shall be withheld from the employee or his or her representative. A representative of the employee may accompany him or her during the personnel file review. The employee may answer or object in writing to any material in his or her file and the answer or objection shall be attached to the appropriate material.

(d) Public access. This section is supplemental to the statutes which apply to the public's access to government records. Public access to school personnel files is affirmed subject to the privacy rights rulings of the various federal and state courts.

(e) Work performance records. Any materials pertaining directly to work performance may be placed in the record of the employee and a copy of the materials shall be provided to the employee. Statements, reports, and comments relating to work performance, disciplinary action against the employee, suspension of the employee, or dismissal of the employee shall be reduced to writing and signed by a person reasonably competent to know the facts or make a judgment as to the accuracy of the subject information. Additional information related to the written materials previously placed in the personnel file may be attached to the material to clarify or amplify them as needed. A copy of all materials to be placed in an employee's record which may tend to diminish the employee's professional or work status or reflect adversely on the employee's record of performance or character shall be provided to the employee.

(f) Anonymous materials. Any anonymous complaint or material received by a school official shall be immediately transmitted to the executive officer. If the material is deemed worthy of an investigation by the executive officer, it may be investigated. The results of the investigation shall be reduced to writing, signed by the executive officer, principal, or other designated official in charge of the complaint, dated, attached to the material in question, and placed in the personnel file of the employee. Any anonymous complaint which is not investigated within 30 calendar days of its receipt by the executive officer shall not be retained, but shall be destroyed.

(g) Transfer of information. Notwithstanding any other provision in this section to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply:

(1) The transfer of the personnel file or any parts, summation, or copies of the personnel file of the employee shall be effectuated upon the written request of the employee.

(2) The employer may transfer an employee's personnel file or copies or parts thereof to another employer or prospective employer.

(3) The provisions contained in Section 16-22-6 shall remain in effect. Payroll deductions which the employee has authorized shall continue effective.

(4) Any documents which may be lawfully contained in the personnel file of an employee shall be made available to a lawfully authorized hearing officer or panel conducting an investigation into the competency or performance of the employee, and to all appropriate law enforcement officials. Statistical information on employees and former employees may be transmitted to the Department of Archives and History and to the State Department of Education for historical research and information.

(h) Policies. Written policies established by a school board pertaining to personnel files which are not inconsistent with this section may remain in effect, consistent with Section 16-1-30.

(i) This section shall be implemented by each school board no later than September 1, 1998.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) BOARD OF EDUCATION or BOARD. All public county and city boards of education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Alabama Youth Services Department School Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services School District; the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science; and the State Board of Education as applied to two-year postsecondary education institutions.

(2) EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The superintendent of any public county or city school system; the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the president of any two-year school or college under the auspices of the State Board of Education; the Executive Director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Superintendent of the Department of Youth Services School District; and the Executive Director of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

(3) EMPLOYEES. Employees or personnel of the board except for the following:

a. Those employees covered under the Alabama state Merit System.

b. Those employees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind who work for the Alabama Industries for the Blind and those satellite employees at its regional centers.

(b) Each board of education, through its executive officer, shall post a notice of vacancy for each vacant personnel position. The notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place at each school campus and worksite at least 14 calendar days before the position is to be filled. The notice shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Job description and title.

(2) Required qualifications.

(3) Salary schedule and amount.

(4) Information on where to submit an application.

(5) Information on any deadlines for applying.

(6) Any other relevant information.

(c) If a personnel vacancy occurs during the time when the schools are in session, the vacancy notice shall be posted not less than seven calendar days before the position is to be filled. All vacancies involving jobs which are supervisory, managerial, or otherwise newly created positions shall nevertheless require posting notices of at least 14 calendar days.

(d) The board may adopt or continue policies which are not inconsistent with this section. The board may adopt policies to ensure the safety and welfare of its students during dire emergency situations, but the posting of a vacancy notice as required in this section shall not be abridged or delayed except in dire emergency circumstances and then delayed only temporarily in order to reasonably meet the conditions of the emergency. The adoption of additional policies shall comply with the requirements and procedures of Section 16-1-30 by all boards defined in this section.

The State Board of Education shall require the employment of registered nurses in each local school system, contingent on funding in the Education Trust Fund annual budget act, for each of the following fiscal years and ratios and major fractions thereof:

(1) 1999-2000 - A minimum of one nurse for every school system.

(2) 2000-2001 - A minimum of one nurse for every 7,000 pupils.

(3) 2001-2002 - A minimum of one nurse for every 6,500 pupils.

(4) 2002-2003 - A minimum of one nurse for every 6,000 pupils.

(5) 2003-2004 - A minimum of one nurse for every 5,500 pupils.

(6) 2004-2005 - A minimum of one nurse for every 5,000 pupils.

(7) 2005-2006 - A minimum of one nurse for every 4,500 pupils.

(8) 2006-2007 - A minimum of one nurse for every 4,000 pupils.

(9) 2007-2008 - A minimum of one nurse for every 3,500 pupils.

(10) 2008-2009 - A minimum of one nurse for every 3,000 pupils.

(11) 2009-2010 - A minimum of one nurse for every 2,500 pupils.

(12) 2010-2011 - A minimum of one nurse for every 2,000 pupils.

Thereafter, a minimum of one registered nurse shall be employed for each 2,000 pupils and major fraction thereof.

(b) Determining the number of pupils for the purpose of allotting school nurses shall be based on pupils in average daily membership during the first two scholastic months of the preceding scholastic year.

(c) Nurses employed exclusively from federal funds shall not be considered in the ratios as required by this section. Nurses employed with local funds are to be included in the ratios as required by this section.

(d) The State Board of Education shall employ a School Nurse Consultant, who shall be a registered nurse, to provide supervision of programs statewide and implement school nursing programs as established by the State Board of Education.

(e) There shall be a minimum statewide salary schedule for school nurses which shall be included in the annual budget act for the public schools.

(f) The amounts necessary to meet the requirements of this section shall be appropriated in the annual budget act for the public schools.

(g) This section is cumulative and shall be construed in pari materia with other laws, but to the effect that this section specifically conflicts with other laws in direct conflict with this section, then those laws or parts of laws are hereby repealed.

(a) When used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings, respectively:

(1) EMPLOYEE. Any person employed full-time as provided by law by those employers enumerated in this section and adult bus drivers.

(2) EMPLOYER. All public city and county boards of education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Alabama Youth Services Department District Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services Department District; the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science; the State Board of Education as applied to the payroll office of two-year postsecondary education institutions; and the Board of Trustees of Alabama A and M University.

(3) PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION or ORGANIZATION. The employees' local professional organization representing the majority of employees of an identified class of employees in matters involving employee/employer relations.

(4) RETIREE. Any person who is receiving a benefit check each month from the Teachers' Retirement System.

(b) Each employer and the Teachers' Retirement System for each retiree shall prepare a separate slot on their regular monthly, weekly, or biweekly personnel payrolls to provide for all eligible employees to have the opportunity to purchase, at group rates or group discounts through their professional organization, different plans for annuities, deferred compensation, disability, casualty, automobile, personal liability, long-term health care and health insurance, and other programs offered on a statewide basis by the organization for which the employees or retirees qualify and which they chose to purchase. Each employee and retiree who qualifies may choose to participate in the various statewide programs offered and may authorize deductions from his or her regular payroll check or annuity in the amount of such premiums and costs necessary to cover the programs chosen. The employer and the Teachers' Retirement System shall aggregate the sum of the total deductions authorized by all their employees or retirees and shall submit payment in one check with a list of deductions and coverages for each employee for each pay period on a timely basis to the professional organization or its designated agent. Payment to the professional organization for dues deductions and voluntary contributions shall be by separate check from the deductions made pursuant to this subsection. Following the correct and proper deduction and timely transmittal of funds, the employer shall bear no further responsibility. The professional organization or its designated agent shall receive funds from the employer and disburse such funds as may be necessary to each provider offering plans and coverages. All employees and retirees may participate in group plans or programs offered statewide through the professional organization by authorizing and submitting to the employer or the Teachers' Retirement System a form indicating the amount to be deducted for purchases of group plans, programs, or coverages. The custodian of funds and/or the financial officer is hereby authorized and directed to initiate payroll deductions for plans and coverages as directed by each employee and retiree and to submit payment to the professional organization. One check shall aggregate the total amount authorized by all employees and shall accompany a list of participating employees and the amount of deductions and the plans or programs of coverages for each. It is expressly provided that any benefits inuring to the employee under the provisions of this subsection shall not supplant any benefits which the employee may be receiving from the employer on August 1, 1999. The provisions of this section are intended as a benefit to the employees to provide the lowest possible cost for purchase of coverages. No employer shall apply any administrative charges for performance of the requirements of this section.

(a) Any police officer appointed pursuant to the provisions of Section 16-47-10 or 16-22-1, is a peace officer whose authority extends to any place in the state; provided, that the primary duty of any such police or peace officer shall be the enforcement of the law on property owned or leased by the institution of higher education employing said peace officers; provided further, that he shall not otherwise act as a peace officer in enforcing the law except:

(1) When in pursuit of any offender or suspected offender who is charged with the commission of a crime while on the premises of said institution; or

(2) To make arrests otherwise lawfully for crimes committed, or for which there is probable cause to believe have been committed, within his presence or within the boundaries of said property owned or leased.

(b) The provisions of this section granting authority to police officers at institutions of higher learning in the State of Alabama are not intended to limit or abridge any powers heretofore granted to said officers by law, and the provisions of this section are, therefore, to be considered cumulative.

(c) Nothing in this section shall grant authority to any persons appointed under the provisions of this section to enter a classroom for the purpose of enforcing traffic or parking citations.

It shall be unlawful for school authorities to employ teachers, janitors, food handlers or bus drivers who have tuberculosis in an infectious stage. Every board of education shall require a physical examination for tuberculosis, including adequate laboratory tests and X rays, of all such employees of the board at least once in three years. Such examinations, tests and X rays shall be made by the several county health departments; or an employee may be examined at his own expense by any other duly licensed doctor of medicine who is a specialist in the treatment of the disease of tuberculosis of his own choosing. If the result of such examination indicates the presence of tuberculosis in an infectious stage, the employee shall be ineligible for further service until satisfactory proof of recovery is furnished. It shall be unlawful for any school official to employ this section as a means of discharging any teacher or other employee for any reason other than failure to comply with the provisions of this section; and, upon proof thereof, the same shall constitute malfeasance in office and shall be grounds for his removal therefrom.

All bonds of officials and employees required under the provisions of this title shall be executed by a surety company authorized to do business in Alabama and, unless otherwise provided, approved by the State Superintendent of Education. The said bonds shall, unless otherwise provided, be filed in the office of the Department of Education in Montgomery, unless otherwise instructed by the State Board of Education. In all cases where bonds are not filed in the office of the Department of Education, certified copies thereof shall be filed in such department.

Each local board of education may form its employees into a group or groups or recognize existing groups for the purpose of obtaining the advantages of group life, disability, medical and dental insurance or any group insurance plans to aid its employees, as long as the employees continue to be employed by the board of education. Any local board of education may pay all or part of the premium on the policies and/or may deduct from the salaries of the employees that part of the premium which is to be paid by them and may contract with the insurer to provide the above benefits.

(a) Each local board of education and certain postsecondary institutions shall adopt policies or regulations which will provide for deductions from salaries of its employees or groups of employees whenever a request is presented to the board or postsecondary institution by the employees or groups. The deductions shall be made from salaries earned in at least nine different pay periods and shall be remitted to the appropriate company, association, or organization as specified by the employees within 10 days following each deduction. The deductions may be made for, but not limited to, savings plans, tax sheltered annuities, the Public Employees' Individual Retirement Account Fund, membership dues, voluntary contributions, and group insurance premiums. Deductions for membership dues and voluntary contributions shall be made based upon membership lists and forms provided by the employees' organization. Such lists are to be corrected, updated, and returned to the employees' designated organization(s) not later than November 10 of each school year. The 1982-83 membership dues and voluntary contribution authorized, with appropriate yearly adjustments, shall be deducted for each succeeding year unless the employee revokes the deductions in writing on or before September 15 of that year. Voluntary contributions may be revoked by giving a 30 day notice in writing. New authorizations for deduction of dues, voluntary contributions, or employee savings plans, must be submitted to the payroll office and deductions shall begin with the pay period next following the receipt of authorization. Upon termination of employment, amounts owed under the authorization of the employee shall be deducted from employee's final pay due. With the exception of membership dues and voluntary contributions, the board or postsecondary institution shall not be required to make more than one remittance of amounts deducted during a pay period for a separate type of deduction. Health insurance, life insurance, and tax sheltered annuities shall be interpreted as separate types of deductions. When amounts have been correctly deducted and remitted by the board or postsecondary institution, the board or postsecondary institution shall bear no further responsibility or liability for subsequent transactions. No board or postsecondary institution shall be liable for any error when acting in good faith pursuant to this section.

(b) This section shall not apply to any four year postsecondary institution.

Payments and deductions made by the board of education under the authority of Sections 16-22-5 and 16-22-6 are presumed to be for services rendered and for the benefit of the public school; and the payments and deductions do not affect the eligibility of any school system to participate in the Foundation Program as established in Sections 16-13-50 through 16-13-59.

(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the annual allotments for hospital medical insurance made to educational personnel may be used to purchase dental insurance.

(b) Local boards of education shall approve the plan and carrier for dental coverage. Employee review and evaluation of available policies shall be considered by the board before final approval of a plan.

(a) The following terms shall have the following meanings, respectively:

(1) CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS. Any illness, injury, or pregnancy or medical condition related to childbirth, certified by a licensed physician which causes the employee to be absent from work for an extended period of time.

(2) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The superintendent of any public county or city school system; the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the president of any two-year school or college under the auspices of the State Board of Education; the President of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University; the Superintendent of the Department of Youth Services School District; the Executive Director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; and the Executive Director of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

(3) EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITY or AUTHORITY or BOARD. Each city and county board of education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Alabama Youth Services Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Department of Youth Services School District; the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Board of Directors of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science; the State Board of Education as applied to two-year postsecondary institutions; and the Board of Trustees of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

(4) EMPLOYEE. Any person employed by the educational authority on a full-time or part-time basis.

(5) SICK LEAVE BANK COMMITTEE. A committee of five employees, one representing the authority and four representing the participating members of the sick leave bank.

(b) An educational authority, upon the request of 10 percent of its full-time certificated and full-time support personnel, shall establish a sick leave bank plan for each of the two groups either jointly or separately. The decision whether to have a joint or separate sick leave bank shall be the exclusive decision of the employees, utilizing a secret balloting process.

(c) At the beginning of each scholastic year, an election shall be held among the sick leave bank members to determine by secret ballot the four members who are to serve on the sick leave bank committee. The term of office shall be one year. The chief executive officer of the authority shall be responsible for conducting the election in a fair and equitable manner, ensuring the confidentiality of the secret balloting process. The chief executive officer of the authority shall also appoint the authority's representative on the committee, subject to board approval.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, it shall be the exclusive responsibility of the sick leave bank committee to write the guidelines and administrative procedures of the sick leave bank, including the catastrophic leave provisions of this section. It shall also be the committee's duty to develop all necessary forms for the orderly operation and administration of the sick leave bank and catastrophic leave provisions of this section. To ensure the orderly transfer and acceptance of catastrophic sick leave days from one sick leave bank to another, the State Board of Education shall provide a uniform state form.

(e) Each plan shall allow the employees to deposit an equal number of days (not to exceed five) of his or her earned sick leave into the bank. The days deposited shall be available to be loaned to any participating member whose sick leave has been exhausted.

(f) Upon the establishment of a sick leave bank, the sick leave bank committee shall establish procedures providing for the uniform administration of the sick leave bank. Guidelines shall be developed by the sick leave bank committee for the operation of the sick leave bank. The guidelines shall be approved by a secret ballot vote of the participating members of the sick leave bank. The accounting of the sick leave bank shall be the responsibility of the authority. Vacancies occurring on the committee shall be filled by the respective parties. No representative on the committee shall serve for a term longer than five years.

(g) Each sick leave bank's guidelines shall include the regulations of this section. Additional guidelines shall be adopted by the sick leave bank committee as may be deemed appropriate and beneficial. No board or sick leave bank committee shall adopt any regulation which conflicts with the following general regulations:

(1) No employee shall be allowed to owe more than 15 days to the sick leave bank, unless over 50 percent of the members of the bank vote to extend the limit.

(2) Appropriate administrative forms for administering the sick leave bank shall be developed by the sick leave bank committee.

(3) Sick leave days shall be repaid to the sick leave bank monthly as re-earned by the member. Upon the resignation or other termination of an employee who has an outstanding loan of sick leave days, the value of the loan shall be deducted from the final paycheck at the employee's prevailing rate of pay.

(4) A member of the sick leave bank shall not be allowed to accumulate more days than allowed in Section 16-1-18.1, including days in the sick leave bank.

(5) Employee membership in the sick leave bank shall be voluntary.

(6) Any alleged abuse of the use of the sick leave bank shall be investigated by the sick leave bank committee. On the finding of wrongdoing, the member shall repay all of the sick leave credits drawn from the sick leave bank and be subject to other appropriate disciplinary action as determined by the local authority.

(7) Upon retirement or transfer of the sick leave bank member, days on deposit with the sick leave bank shall be withdrawn and transferred with the employee or made accessible for retirement credit, as applicable.

(8) Before being eligible to use catastrophic sick leave days, the member of the sick leave bank shall first borrow and utilize days from the sick leave bank, up to a maximum of 15 days. However, if the member later qualifies for catastrophic sick leave, donated catastrophic sick leave days may be used to repay days owed to the sick leave bank to the credit of the affected member.

(9) At the beginning of the scholastic year, or upon employment of a new employee, as the case may be, the appropriate number of sick leave days shall, upon application of the employee, be credited to the employee's account to enable the employee to join the sick leave bank if the employee does not have the minimum number of sick leave days to enable him or her to join the bank. The sick leave bank committee shall develop in its guidelines a provision whether or not to allow other employees who have previously failed or refused to join the sick leave bank the option to join upon deposit of the prerequisite number of sick leave days. Any policy developed by the sick leave bank committee shall be uniformly applied to all employees.

(h) Catastrophic sick leave. Employees, at their discretion, may donate a specific number of days to the sick leave bank to be designated for a specific employee for use against a catastrophic illness as defined by this section. A donating employee shall not be required to donate a minimum number of catastrophic days to the sick leave bank. The recipient employee may use catastrophic sick leave days for himself or herself or for other covered persons as provided in Section 16-1-18.1. Before sick leave days for a catastrophic illness may be used by a recipient employee, the recipient employee shall have first exhausted all sick and personal leave. Donated days shall become available for use by the particular employee who shall not be required to repay the days. Any employee who donates sick leave days to the sick leave bank for a particular employee suffering from a catastrophic illness shall be clearly informed that the donated days are not to be recovered or returned to the donor. If a particular employee does not require all of the days donated to the credit of the employee, the days shall revert to the credit of those employees who donated the days in accordance with the guidelines adopted by the sick leave bank committee. No employee may donate more than 30 sick leave days, exclusive of the provisions of subsection (e), to the sick leave bank for the catastrophic sick leave of any one employee. A sick leave bank is authorized to donate sick leave days to another sick leave bank for use by a particular employee who is suffering a catastrophic illness. An employee must be a member of the sick leave bank to donate or receive catastrophic sick leave days.

(i) Compliance required. If an authority fails to comply with this section within 30 calendar days after receiving the petition to establish a sick leave bank, the State Superintendent of Education (for the public schools), the Chancellor of Postsecondary Education (for the two-year postsecondary schools), or the president of the governing board of trustees (for four-year colleges and universities) shall investigate the situation and shall immediately take due and appropriate steps to ensure compliance with this section.