This bill amends the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to prohibit academic tenure at postsecondary educational institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges, and community college boards. It specifies that these boards cannot establish or authorize tenure for any employee who is not already tenured as of the act's effective date. Additionally, the bill requires the boards to implement written policies regarding employee agreements, acceptable grounds for dismissal, annual performance evaluations, and standards for faculty review and discipline. It also outlines the powers and duties of the governing boards, including the authority to appoint and remove faculty, set compensation, and ensure preventive maintenance for facilities.

Moreover, the bill addresses the treatment of permanent employees during staff reductions, stating that a permanent employee cannot be laid off while a probationary employee is retained for a position the permanent employee is qualified to perform. It mandates that if employee evaluations are considered in reduction decisions, specific criteria regarding the evaluation process must be clearly defined. The bill also repeals original sections 85-106, 85-304, 85-1511, and 85-1530, updating the legal framework for employment practices in educational institutions to protect the rights of qualified permanent employees during staffing reductions and to establish clear evaluation guidelines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 85-106, 85-304, 85-1511, 85-1530