MN HF721

Beginning in the 2016-2017 school year, school boards must place teachers on unrequested leave of absence based on subject matter licensure fields and most recent evaluation outcomes/effectiveness category, rather than seniority alone, among other locally determined criteria.

School boards are not required to reassign more senior teachers to accommodate seniority claims of similarly licensed and effective teachers with less seniority when placing teachers on unrequested leave or discontinuing/terminating positions.

Teachers placed on unrequested leave may request a hearing before a neutral hearing officer within 14 days to verify the school district met required teacher evaluation standards.

Teacher effectiveness categories and underlying evaluation data used for placement decisions are classified as private data on individuals and protected from public disclosure.

School boards and teacher unions must negotiate plans for unrequested leave of absence and discontinuing or terminating teachers for contracts effective in 2016-2017 or later; contracts without such plans cannot be executed.