HB 1845 -- Teacher Termination Hearings

Co-Sponsors:  Copenhaver, George, Franklin, Hickey, O'Connor,
Foley, Bray

Current law authorizes local school boards to dismiss tenured
teachers for certain causes and after following certain
administrative procedures.  This bill allows teachers to request
an administrative hearing at which a hearing officer will decide
whether or not the teacher will be dismissed.

The bill requires school boards or superintendents to notify
teachers at least 120 days before formal notice is served,
instead of 30 days' notice under current law.  If a school board
suspends a teacher until a decision is rendered, the teacher is
entitled to receive salary and benefits during the suspension.
Currently, teachers are only guaranteed salary.

Currently, either the teacher or the local school board may
request a hearing; the bill permits only the teacher to request a
hearing.  When a teacher requests a hearing, the superintendent
must notify the State Board of Education, which will provide a
list of five accredited, impartial hearing officers within five
days.  The individual who remains after the teacher and local
board alternately strike off names will serve as the hearing
officer and be compensated by the school district.

The hearing must be held between 30 and 45 days after the hearing
officer is selected unless another schedule is mutually agreed
upon.  The state board must promulgate procedural rules for
hearings including, at a minimum, discovery of witnesses, written
interrogatories, and production of relevant documents.  The bill
specifies that a hearing will be open to the public unless the
teacher requests that it be closed.

Within 30 days after the hearing, the hearing officer must decide
if the teacher should be dismissed, disciplined, or, in certain
cases, continue conferring with the superintendent to resolve the
matter.  The hearing officer's decision is final unless appealed.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:02 am