Section 1. Termination of contract after probationary period.  Streamlines the dates by which a probationary teacher’s contract may be terminated by a majority roll call vote to July 1 for certain grounds specified.  Clarifies the timeline for a teacher’s hearing request in front of the board.  Clarifies the timeline for termination on the grounds of immediate discharge.  For termination on the grounds of immediate discharge, the termination is to take place immediately instead of at the close of the school year.  Inserts language from a section below that allows the board to suspend a teacher with pay pending the conclusion of a hearing or arbitration.

Section 2. Grounds of termination. Requires that the teacher being terminated be given a written plan, the specific items of complaint, and a period not to exceed six months within which to remedy the items of complaint prior to contract termination.

Section 3. Immediate discharge.  Allows a board to immediately discharge a teacher who could not be discharged at the close of the previous school year due to the six month allowable time to remedy the items of complaint.  Strikes language that is added as new language in the above sections.

Section 4. Hearing and determination by arbitrator.  

Paragraph (a) makes technical changes. 

Paragraph (b) clarifies the timeline for request for arbitration.

Paragraph (c) requires that the list of arbitrators from the Bureau of Mediation Services be randomly selected.  Strikes language requiring that the arbitrators make a decision within a timeframe to reflect adjustment to the timeline in previous subdivisions.

Paragraph (d) makes technical changes.  Requires that both parties agree if a lesser penalty than discharge is imposed by the arbitrator.

Section 5. Decision. Requires the board to issue a decision within ten calendar days after the conclusion of a hearing or receipt of an arbitrator’s decision.

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