SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2016 SESSION

  • | print version

SB 660 Teacher dismissal; appointment of hearing officer.

Introduced by: Barbara A. Favola | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Teacher dismissal; hearing officer. Prohibits school boards from appointing as a hearing officer an employee of the appointing school board or the spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling of (i) any member of the appointing school board or (ii) the school superintendent. The bill provides that in the event that the hearing officer or his relative is involved in the recommendation of dismissal as either a witness or representative, the school board shall conduct the requested hearing.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Teacher dismissal; hearing officer. Requires a school board that elects to appoint a hearing officer to conduct teacher dismissal hearings to appoint such hearing officer for a one-year term at its first meeting of the school year. Under current law, hearing officers are appointed on a per-hearing basis. The bill also requires the school board, prior to appointing the hearing officer, to obtain public comment through a public hearing at least 10 days after reasonable notice to the public in a newspaper of general circulation in the school division. The bill prohibits school boards from appointing as a hearing officer an employee of the appointing school board or the spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling of (i) any member of the appointing school board or (ii) the school superintendent. Finally, the bill provides that in the event that the hearing officer or his relative is involved in the recommendation of dismissal as either a witness or representative, the school board shall conduct the requested hearing.