1. (a) In addition to the other provisions of this article, participating teachers shall be eligible for the hard-to-staff supplement. The hard-to-staff supplement shall be five thousand dollars ($5,000) per year.

2. (b)

   1. (1) To qualify for the hard-to-staff supplement, a participating teacher shall teach in a school designated as hard-to-staff by the department.

   2. (2) The department shall annually determine which schools are hard-to-staff based on any of the following factors:

      1. a. Out-of-field teaching assignments.
      2. b. Poverty level.
      3. c. Geographic location.
      4. d. Population density.
      5. e. Any other factors identified by the department.

(Act 2021-340, §6.)