The bill SB33 amends Section 16-24C-3 of the Code of Alabama 1975, introducing the Assistant Administrator Accountability Act and revising definitions related to teacher tenure law. Key insertions include new definitions for roles such as "chief executive officer," "classified employee," and "teacher," while clarifying the employment status of assistant superintendents, assistant chief school finance officers, and assistant principals. Starting July 1, 2024, these positions, along with executive and administrative personnel at public two-year institutions of higher education, will be hired on a contract basis. The bill also replaces references to the "Department of Postsecondary Education" with the "Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System," ensuring alignment with the new definitions and governance structure.

Additionally, the bill outlines the employment and evaluation processes for contract assistant administrative officers, mandating annual performance evaluations and establishing a framework for expedited evidentiary hearings in cases of contract cancellation. It specifies that the participating employing board bears the burden of proof in these hearings, which must occur within 45 days of a request. The bill also protects the employment status of current assistant administrative officers by ensuring that existing contracts cannot be altered or canceled due to the new legislation. Furthermore, it prohibits retaliation against teachers or assistant administrative officers for opposing employment actions and deletes conflicting provisions from the Students First Act of 2011, streamlining the employment process for educational administrators in Alabama.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-24C-3, 16-24C-3, 16-24B-51, 16-24B-3, 16-24B-3, 16-24B-52, 16-24B-1, 16-24B-8
Engrossed: 16-24C-3, 16-24B-50
Enrolled: 16-24C-3, 16-24B-50