(a)

(1) Whenever any director of schools and the chair of the respective board of education certify to the commissioner of education that the school system is unable to secure a qualified teacher with a valid license for the type and kind of school in which a vacancy exists, the commissioner may grant, on behalf of the state board of education, under conditions prescribed in its rules and regulations, a permit to teach in the unfilled position to a person recommended by the director of the respective local school district and approved by the commissioner, which permit shall be valid only until June 30 following the date of issuance.

(2) The permit may be renewed by the commissioner on conditions prescribed by the state board of education in its rules and regulations, upon the recommendation of the director of schools of the local school district and when the director and the chair of the respective board of education certify that the school system is unable to secure a qualified teacher with a valid license for the type and kind of school in which a vacancy exists.

(b) A local school district board of education may contract with a teacher holding a permit, but not holding a valid license, only for such period of time for which the respective board of education is unable to secure a qualified teacher with a valid license for the type and kind of school.

(c) It is the intent of the general assembly to urge local boards of education and their respective directors of schools to make every effort to staff kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) teaching positions with personnel fully licensed and endorsed for those grades.