15-539. Dismissal of certificated teacher; due
process; written charges; notice; hearing on request
A. On a written statement of charges presented by the superintendent, charging that
there exists cause for the suspension without pay for a period of time greater than ten
school days or dismissal of a certificated teacher of the district, the governing board,
except as otherwise provided in this article, shall give notice to the teacher of its
intention to suspend without pay or dismiss the teacher at the expiration of ten days
from the date of the service of the notice.
B. Whenever the superintendent presents a statement of charges wherein the alleged
cause for dismissal constitutes immoral or unprofessional conduct, the governing board
may adopt a resolution that a complaint be filed with the department of
education. Pending disciplinary action by the state board of education, the certificated
teacher may be reassigned by the superintendent or placed on administrative leave by the
board pursuant to section 15-540.
C. The governing board shall give a certificated teacher who has been employed by
the school district for more than the major portion of three consecutive school years
notice of intention to dismiss if its intention to dismiss is based on charges of
inadequacy of classroom performance as defined by the governing board pursuant to
subsection D of this section. The governing board or its authorized representative shall
give the teacher a written preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance at
least ten instructional days before the start of the period of time within which to
correct the inadequacy and overcome the grounds for the charge. The governing board may
delegate to employees of the governing board the general authority to issue preliminary
notices of inadequacy of classroom performance to teachers pursuant to this section
without the need for prior approval of each notice by the governing board. In all cases
in which an employee of the governing board issues a preliminary notice of inadequacy of
classroom performance without prior approval by the governing board, the employee shall
report its issuance to the governing board within five school days. The written
preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance shall specify the nature of the
inadequacy of classroom performance with such particularity as to furnish the teacher an
opportunity to correct the teacher's inadequacies and overcome the grounds for the
charge. The written preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance shall be
based on a valid evaluation according to school district procedure, shall include a copy
of any evaluation pertinent to the charges made and shall state the date by which the
teacher has to correct the inadequacy and overcome the grounds for the charge. That
evaluation shall not be conducted within two instructional days of any school break of
one week or more. The written preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance
shall allow the teacher not less than sixty instructional days within which to correct
the inadequacy and overcome the grounds for the charge. If within the time specified in
the written preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance the teacher does
not demonstrate adequate classroom performance, the governing board shall dismiss the
teacher either within ten days of the service of a subsequent notice of intention to
dismiss or by the end of the contract year in which the subsequent notice of intention to
dismiss is served unless the teacher has requested a hearing as provided in subsection G
of this section. If the teacher demonstrates adequate classroom performance during the
period allowed to correct such deficiencies as specified in the written preliminary
notice of inadequacy of classroom performance, the governing board may not dismiss the
teacher for the reasons specified in the written preliminary notice of inadequacy of
classroom performance. If the governing board of a school district has received approval
to budget for a career ladder program, the governing board may define inadequacy of
classroom performance by establishing a single level of performance that is required of
all teachers or by establishing more than one required level of performance. If more
than one level is established, the same level of performance for minimum adequacy shall
be required of all teachers who have completed the same number of years of teaching in
the district.
D. The governing board shall develop a definition of inadequacy of classroom
performance that applies to notices issued pursuant to section 15-536, section 15-538 and
this section. The governing board shall develop its definition of inadequacy of classroom
performance in consultation with its certificated teachers. The consultation may be
accomplished by holding a public hearing, forming an advisory committee, providing
teachers the opportunity to respond to a proposed definition or obtaining teacher
approval of a career ladder program that defines inadequacy of classroom performance.
E. Any written statement of charges alleging unprofessional conduct, conduct in
violation of the rules or policies of the governing board or inadequacy of classroom
performance shall specify instances of behavior and the acts or omissions constituting
the charge so that the certificated teacher will be able to prepare a defense. If
applicable, it shall state the statutes, rules or written objectives of the governing
board that the certificated teacher is alleged to have violated and set forth the facts
relevant to each occasion of alleged unprofessional conduct, conduct in violation of the
rules or policies of the governing board or inadequacy of classroom performance.
F. The notice shall be in writing and shall be served on the certificated teacher
personally or by United States registered or certified mail addressed to the teacher's
last known address. A copy of the charges, together with a copy of this section and
sections 15-501, 15-538.01, 15-540, 15-541, 15-542 and 15-544 through 15-547, shall be
attached to the notice.
G. The certificated teacher who receives notice that there exists cause for
dismissal or suspension without pay shall have the right to a hearing if the teacher
files a written request with the governing board within ten days of service of
notice. The filing of a timely request shall suspend the imposition of a suspension
without pay or a dismissal pending completion of the hearing.
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