AR HB1025

Creates the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act of 2025 establishing procedural protections for Arkansas public school teachers facing termination, nonrenewal, or suspension

Defines "probationary teacher" as one who has not completed 3 successive years in their current district, with districts allowed to extend probation by one additional year through majority board vote

Raises the standard for dismissing non-probationary teachers from "not arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory" to "just and reasonable cause," while lowering the compliance standard from strict to substantial compliance

Requires written notice of recommended termination or nonrenewal by May 1, with specific reasons stated in numbered paragraphs, and grants teachers 30 days to request a hearing before the school board

Provides non-probationary teachers the right to appeal school board decisions to circuit court within 75 days, and prohibits waiver of these protections even for districts in fiscal or facilities distress