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 protected from annual contract renewals or nonrenewals. 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 based on gross misconduct by a teacher upon a student, then notice of the dismissal shall not be subject to any deadline nor constrained by any calendar date.

Additionally, the bill allows teachers who attain tenure and subsequently take on administrative roles to be granted an unpaid leave of absence for up to three years, ensuring they can return to their tenured positions without interruption of service for seniority or retirement purposes. This act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
753: 16-13-3