MN SF1690

Allow school districts to base unrequested leave of absence decisions on teacher evaluation outcomes (from least to most effective) and seniority within each evaluation category, rather than seniority alone.

Permit school boards to negotiate plans or unilaterally decide to implement evaluation-based leave of absence procedures if negotiations fail, effective immediately upon passage.

Beginning in the 2015-2016 school year, require school boards to base unrequested leave of absence decisions on licensure fields and teacher evaluation outcomes combined with seniority, unless doing so violates the district's affirmative action program.

Extend evaluation-based decision-making to discharge and demotion proceedings for positions discontinued due to lack of pupils or position discontinuance, with mandatory implementation beginning in the 2015-2016 school year.

Limit seniority rights by prohibiting school boards from reassigning senior teachers to different subject matter categories or substantially different grade levels to accommodate junior teachers' seniority claims during leave of absence or recall procedures.