Teacher Personal Days

Public school teachers would no longer be required to pay $50 when they take a personal day on a designated teacher workday during the school year under a measure approved Thursday by the Senate. Teachers receive two personal days a year, but must pay $50 to help the school pay for the cost of a substitute. Provisions in both the House and Senate versions of the budget would set aside $5 million so they wouldn't have to pay for one day. The bill approved Thursday also makes clear the payment isn't required when no substitute is needed on a teacher workday. The bill now returns to the House. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/26/08).