The bill amends Section 16-13-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-13, titled "Teachers’ Tenure," to clarify the conditions under which a tenured teacher may be dismissed. It establishes that a probationary period consists of three annual contracts within five successive school years, after which teachers are considered in continuous service and are not subject to annual contract renewals. The bill specifies that tenured teachers can only be dismissed for good cause, with written notice required by March 1 for most dismissals. However, if the dismissal is due to gross misconduct by a teacher towards a student, the bill allows for the notice to be given without any deadline or calendar constraints.

Additionally, the bill provides provisions for teachers who attain tenure and later take on administrative roles within the Rhode Island public school system. These teachers are entitled to an unpaid leave of absence for up to three years to serve in administrative positions, after which they can return to their tenured teaching status without interruption of service for seniority or retirement purposes. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
753: 16-13-3