4.01 The Educator Compensation Reform Program (“Program”) was established to provide additional funding to school districts currently below the minimum teacher salary schedule set forth in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-2403, and assist school districts in ensuring that all educators in public school districts receive a minimum annual salary of $36,000 over a four-year period.

4.02 School districts that adhered to a teacher compensation schedule at or above $36,000 for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and zero (0) years of experience in the 2018-2019 school year shall not be eligible for funds under the Program.

4.03 School districts that implement a teacher compensation schedule at or above $36,000 for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and zero (0) years of experience prior to the 2022-2023 school year shall not be eligible to receive funding under the Program the year after the $36,000 minimum salary schedule becomes effective and thereafter.

4.04 Any public school district or open-enrollment public charter school that has or receives a waiver of the teacher minimum salary schedule during implementation of the Program shall not be eligible to receive Program funds and shall be responsible for repayment of any Program funds received prior to receiving the waiver.

4.05 School districts requesting Program funds shall provide information documenting eligibility for Program funds to the Division, including without limitation, the school district's plan for implementation of required salary increases and any anticipated or projected adjustments to staff, by completing and submitting the editable application form available on the Division's website at: http://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/divisions/fiscal-and-administrative-services/educator-compensation-reform-program.