KRS 157.397: Salary supplement for speech -language pathologists or audiologists --

Supplement to be considered in calculation for retirement.

Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary:

(1) (a) If funds are appropriated by the General Assembly for this purpose, a local

board of education shall provide an annual salary supplement to all speech -

language pathologists or audiologists:

1. Who are employed by the local board of education to provide or

coordinate speech -language pathology or audiology services for

students; and

2. Who hold:

a. i. A certificate of clinical competence issued by the American

Speech-Language Hearing Association; or

ii. Board certification from the American Board of

Audiology; and

b. i. A valid Kentucky credential approved and is sued by the

Education Professional Standards Board under KRS

Chapter 161; or

ii. A license approved and issued by the Kentucky Board of

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology under KRS

Chapter 334A.

(b) The salary supplement shall be in the same amount as the salary supplement

provided to a public school teacher who has attained certification from the

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as provided in KRS

157.395. If the amount appropriated by the General Assembly is less than the

amount necessary to meet the requirements of this paragraph, the salary

supplement received by each qualified speech -language pathologist or

audiologist shall be reduced proportionately by the Department of Educati on

so that all eligible individuals receive the same amount as a supplement.

(c) The supplement shall remain available to a speech -language pathologist or

audiologist so long as funds are appropriated for this purpose by the General

Assembly, and the speec h-language pathologist or audiologist continues to

meet the requirements established by this subsection. The supplement shall

cease if the speech-language pathologist or audiologist is employed in another

capacity by the local board where the provision of speech-language pathology

or audiology services is incidental to his or her other duties.

(d) The Department of Education shall:

1. Determine how many speech -language pathologists and audiologists

qualify for the supplement each year;

2. Determine the amou nt of the supplement available each year for each

qualified speech -language pathologist and audiologist based on

appropriated funds available;

3. Notify each local board of education of the supplement amount available

to each qualifying speech -language pat hologist and audiologist

employed by the local board of education; and

4. Develop a process for payment to local boards of education of

supplement amounts due;

(2) If funds are not appropriated by the General Assembly to support the salary

supplement established by subsection (1) of this section, a local board of education

may provide an annual salary supplement under the conditions established by

subsection (1) of this section using the resources available to the local board of

education; and

(3) The supplement authorized by this section shall be considered in the calculation for

contribution to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.