SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5861

                              AS OF MARCH 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Changing provisional periods for certificated employees.

SPONSORS:Senators Anderson, Talmadge and L. Smith.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff:  Leslie Goldstein (786‑7424)

Hearing Dates:March 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, a certificated employee is a provisional employee for the first year of employment with a school district.  The certificated employee's employment can be terminated by written notice on or before May 15.  The employee must be given an opportunity for an informal meeting with the superintendent and have the opportunity to refute any facts upon which the superintendent's determination was based.  After the provisional period, a certificated employee may only be discharged upon: 1) a finding of probable cause for nonrenewal of the contract; or 2) a reduction in force due to an enrollment decline.  If the termination is based upon a finding of probable cause, the employee must be given the opportunity for a hearing and the grounds for discharge proven by a preponderance of the evidence.  The decision may be appealed to superior court.

SUMMARY:

The provisional employment period for certificated employees in a school district is extended from one to three years, unless the employee has completed at least three years of certificated employment in another school district in Washington.  If the employee has completed at least three years of certificated employment in another district, the provisional employment period with the new district is one year.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested