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First Substitute S.B. 64

Senator Aaron Osmond proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT REFORM

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Aaron Osmond

             5     
House Sponsor: Francis D. Gibson

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions related to the employment of public education personnel.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    reorganizes provisions regarding:
             13              .    the status and termination of school district employees; and
             14              .    educator evaluations;
             15          .    requires a charter school to comply with Title 52, Chapter 3, Prohibiting
             16      Employment of Relatives;
             17          .    creates the Public Education Human Resource Management Act;
             18          .    directs the State Board of Education to make rules requiring the performance of
             19      school district employees to be evaluated annually, with exceptions;
             20          .    prescribes procedures for the nonrenewal or termination of a career employee's
             21      contract for unsatisfactory performance;
             22          .    restricts the transfer of a public education employee with unsatisfactory
             23      performance;
             24          .    directs the State Board of Education to make rules requiring a school district's
             25      employee compensation system to be aligned with the district's annual evaluation


             26      system;
             27          .    requires the salary of certain school or district administrators to be contingent on an
             28      evaluation; and
             29          .    makes technical amendments.
             30      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             31          None
             32      Other Special Clauses:
             33          None
             34      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             35      AMENDS:
             36          53A-1a-512, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapters 266 and 353
             37          53A-3-425, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 402
             38          53A-11-605, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 111
             39      ENACTS:
             40          53A-8a-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41          53A-8a-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42          53A-8a-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43          53A-8a-409, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44          53A-8a-503, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45          53A-8a-506, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46          53A-8a-601, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47          53A-8a-602, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48          53A-8a-701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49          53A-8a-702, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50          53A-8a-703, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51      RENUMBERS AND AMENDS:
             52          53A-8a-102, (Renumbered from 53A-8-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             53      Chapter 420)
             54          53A-8a-201, (Renumbered from 53A-8-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010,
             55      Chapter 183)
             56          53A-8a-401, (Renumbered from 53A-10-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,


             57      Chapter 434)
             58          53A-8a-402, (Renumbered from 53A-10-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             59      Chapter 434)
             60          53A-8a-403, (Renumbered from 53A-10-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             61      Chapter 434)
             62          53A-8a-404, (Renumbered from 53A-10-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 1988,
             63      Chapter 2)
             64          53A-8a-405, (Renumbered from 53A-10-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             65      Chapter 434)
             66          53A-8a-406, (Renumbered from 53A-10-106.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             67      Chapter 434)
             68          53A-8a-407, (Renumbered from 53A-10-107, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             69      Chapter 434)
             70          53A-8a-408, (Renumbered from 53A-10-108, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009,
             71      Chapter 287)
             72          53A-8a-501, (Renumbered from 53A-8-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1994,
             73      Chapter 51)
             74          53A-8a-502, (Renumbered from 53A-8-104, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             75      Chapter 286)
             76          53A-8a-504, (Renumbered from 53A-8-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007,
             77      Chapter 306)
             78          53A-8a-505, (Renumbered from 53A-8-107, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011,
             79      Chapter 420)
             80     
             81      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             82          Section 1. Section 53A-1a-512 is amended to read:
             83           53A-1a-512. Employees of charter schools.
             84          (1) A charter school shall select its own employees.
             85          (2) The school's governing body shall determine the level of compensation and all
             86      terms and conditions of employment, except as otherwise provided in Subsections (7) and (8)
             87      and under this part.


             88          (3) [The following statutes governing public employees and officers do] Chapter 8a,
             89      Public Education Human Resource Management Act, does not apply to a charter [schools:]
             90      school.
             91          [(a) Chapter 8, Utah Orderly School Termination Procedures Act;]
             92          [(b) Chapter 10, Educator Evaluation; and]
             93          [(c) Title 52, Chapter 3, Prohibiting Employment of Relatives.]
             94          (4) (a) To accommodate differentiated staffing and better meet student needs, a charter
             95      school, under rules adopted by the State Board of Education, shall employ teachers who:
             96          (i) are licensed; or
             97          (ii) on the basis of demonstrated competency, would qualify to teach under alternative
             98      certification or authorization programs.
             99          (b) The school's governing body shall disclose the qualifications of its teachers to the
             100      parents of its students.
             101          (5) State Board of Education rules governing the licensing or certification of
             102      administrative and supervisory personnel do not apply to charter schools.
             103          (6) (a) An employee of a school district may request a leave of absence in order to
             104      work in a charter school upon approval of the local school board.
             105          (b) While on leave, the employee may retain seniority accrued in the school district and
             106      may continue to be covered by the benefit program of the district if the charter school and the
             107      locally elected school board mutually agree.
             108          (7) Except as provided under Subsection (8), an employee of a charter school shall be a
             109      member of a retirement system or plan under Title 49, Utah State Retirement and Insurance
             110      Benefit Act.
             111          (8) (a) At the time of application for a charter school, whether the chartering entity is
             112      the State Charter School Board, a local school board, or a board of trustees of a higher
             113      education institution, a proposed charter school may make an election of nonparticipation as an
             114      employer for retirement programs under:
             115          (i) Title 49, Chapter 12, Public Employees' Contributory Retirement Act;
             116          (ii) Title 49, Chapter 13, Public Employees' Noncontributory Retirement Act; and
             117          (iii) Title 49, Chapter 22, New Public Employees' Tier II Contributory Retirement Act.
             118          (b) A charter school that was approved prior to July 1, 2004, may make an election of


             119      nonparticipation prior to December 31, 2004.
             120          (c) An election provided under this Subsection (8):
             121          (i) shall be made at the time specified under Subsection (8)(a) or (b);
             122          (ii) shall be documented by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter
             123      school;
             124          (iii) is in effect unless the charter school makes an irrevocable retraction of the election
             125      of nonparticipation in accordance with Subsection (9); and
             126          (iv) applies to the charter school as the employer and to all employees of the charter
             127      school.
             128          (d) The governing body of a charter school may offer employee benefit plans for its
             129      employees:
             130          (i) under Title 49, Chapter 20, Public Employees' Benefit and Insurance Program Act;
             131      or
             132          (ii) under any other program.
             133          (9) (a) A charter school that made an election of nonparticipation as an employer for
             134      the following retirement programs may subsequently make an irrevocable retraction of the
             135      election of nonparticipation:
             136          (i) Title 49, Chapter 12, Public Employees' Contributory Retirement Act;
             137          (ii) Title 49, Chapter 13, Public Employees' Noncontributory Retirement Act; or
             138          (iii) Title 49, Chapter 22, New Public Employees' Tier II Contributory Retirement Act.
             139          (b) A retraction provided under this Subsection (9):
             140          (i) shall be documented by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the charter
             141      school;
             142          (ii) is a one-time election;
             143          (iii) is irrevocable; and
             144          (iv) applies to the charter school as the employer and to all employees of the charter
             145      school.
             146          (10) The governing body of a charter school shall ensure that, prior to the beginning of
             147      each school year, each of its employees signs a document acknowledging that the employee:
             148          (a) has received:
             149          (i) the disclosure required under Section 63A-4-204.5 if the charter school participates


             150      in the Risk Management Fund; or
             151          (ii) written disclosure similar to the disclosure required under Section 63A-4-204.5 if
             152      the charter school does not participate in the Risk Management Fund; and
             153          (b) understands the legal liability protection provided to the employee and what is not
             154      covered, as explained in the disclosure.
             155          Section 2. Section 53A-3-425 is amended to read:
             156           53A-3-425. Association leave -- District policy.
             157          (1) As used in this section:
             158          (a) "Association leave" means leave from a school district employee's regular school
             159      responsibilities granted for that employee to spend time for association, employee association,
             160      or union duties.
             161          (b) "Employee association" means an association that:
             162          (i) negotiates employee salaries, benefits, contracts, or other conditions of employment;
             163      or
             164          (ii) performs union duties.
             165          (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a local school board may not allow paid
             166      association leave for a school district employee to perform an employee association or union
             167      duty.
             168          (3) (a) A local school board may allow paid association leave for a school district
             169      employee to perform an employee association duty if:
             170          (i) the duty performed by the employee on paid association leave will directly benefit
             171      the school district, including representing the school district's licensed educators:
             172          (A) on a board or committee, such as the school district's foundation, a curriculum
             173      development board, insurance committee, or catastrophic leave committee;
             174          (B) at a school district leadership meeting; or
             175          (C) at a workshop or meeting conducted by the school district's local school board;
             176          (ii) the duty performed by the employee on paid association leave does not include
             177      political activity, including:
             178          (A) advocating for or against a candidate for public office in a partisan or nonpartisan
             179      election;
             180          (B) soliciting a contribution for a political action committee, a political issues


             181      committee, a political party, or a candidate, as defined in Section 20A-11-101 ; or
             182          (C) initiating, drafting, soliciting signatures for, or advocating for or against a ballot
             183      proposition, as defined in Section 20A-1-102 ; and
             184          (iii) the local school board ensures compliance with the requirements of Subsections
             185      (4)(a) through (g).
             186          (b) Prior to a school district employee's participation in paid or unpaid association
             187      leave, a local school board shall adopt a written policy that governs association leave.
             188          (c) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(d), a local school board policy that governs
             189      association leave shall require reimbursement to the school district of the costs for an
             190      employee, including benefits, for the time that the employee is:
             191          (i) on unpaid association leave; or
             192          (ii) participating in a paid association leave activity that does not provide a direct
             193      benefit to the school district.
             194          (d) For a school district that allowed association leave described in Subsections
             195      (3)(c)(i) and (ii) prior to January 1, 2011, the local school board policy that governs association
             196      leave may allow up to 10 days of association leave before requiring a reimbursement described
             197      in Subsection (3)(c).
             198          (e) A reimbursement required under Subsection (3)(c), (d), or (4)(g) may be provided
             199      by an employee, association, or union.
             200          (4) If a local school board adopts a policy to allow paid association leave, the policy
             201      shall include procedures and controls to:
             202          (a) ensure that the duties performed by employees on paid association leave directly
             203      benefit the school district;
             204          (b) require the school district to document the use and approval of paid association
             205      leave;
             206          (c) require school district supervision of employees on paid association leave;
             207          (d) require the school district to account for the costs and expenses of paid association
             208      leave;
             209          (e) ensure that during the hours of paid association leave a school district employee
             210      may not engage in political activity, including:
             211          (i) advocating for or against a candidate for public office in a partisan or nonpartisan


             212      election;
             213          (ii) soliciting a contribution for a political action committee, a political issues
             214      committee, a political party, or a candidate, as defined in Section 20A-11-101 ; and
             215          (iii) initiating, drafting, soliciting signatures for, or advocating for or against a ballot
             216      proposition, as defined in Section 20A-1-102 ;
             217          (f) ensure that association leave is only paid out of school district funds when the paid
             218      association leave directly benefits the district; and
             219          (g) require the reimbursement to the school district of the cost of paid association leave
             220      activities that do not provide a direct benefit to education within the school district.
             221          (5) If a local school board adopts a policy to allow paid association leave, that policy
             222      shall indicate that a willful violation of this section or of a policy adopted in accordance with
             223      Subsection (3) or (4) may be used for disciplinary action under Section [ 53A-8-104 ]
             224      53A-8a-503 .
             225          Section 3. Section 53A-8a-101 is enacted to read:
             226     
CHAPTER 8a. PUBLIC EDUCATION HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT

             227     
Part 1. General Provisions

             228          53A-8a-101. Title.
             229          This chapter is known as the "Public Education Human Resource Management Act."
             230          Section 4. Section 53A-8a-102 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-8-102 is
             231      renumbered and amended to read:
             232           [53A-8-102].     53A-8a-102. Definitions.
             233          As used in this chapter:
             234          (1) "Career employee" means an employee of a school district who has obtained a
             235      reasonable expectation of continued employment based upon Section [ 53A-8-106 ] 53A-8a-201
             236      and an agreement with the employee or the employee's association, district practice, or policy.
             237          (2) "Contract term" or "term of employment" means the period of time during which an
             238      employee is engaged by the school district under a contract of employment, whether oral or
             239      written.
             240          (3) "Dismissal" or "termination" means:
             241          (a) termination of the status of employment of an employee;
             242          (b) failure to renew or continue the employment contract of a career employee beyond


             243      the then-current school year;
             244          (c) reduction in salary of an employee not generally applied to all employees of the
             245      same category employed by the school district during the employee's contract term; or
             246          (d) change of assignment of an employee with an accompanying reduction in pay,
             247      unless the assignment change and salary reduction are agreed to in writing.
             248          (4) (a) "Employee" means a career or provisional employee of a school district, [but]
             249      except as provided in Subsection (4)(b).
             250          (b) For purposes of Part 2, Status of Employment, Part 4, Educator Evaluations, and
             251      Part 5, Orderly School Termination Procedures, "employee" does not include:
             252          [(a)] (i) the district superintendent, or the equivalent at the Schools for the Deaf and the
             253      Blind;
             254          [(b)] (ii) the district business administrator or the equivalent at the Schools for the Deaf
             255      and the Blind; or
             256          [(c)] (iii) a temporary employee.
             257          (5) "Last-hired, first-fired layoff policy" means a staff reduction policy that mandates
             258      the termination of an employee who started to work for the district most recently before
             259      terminating a more senior employee.
             260          (6) "Provisional employee" means an individual, other than a career employee or a
             261      temporary employee, who is employed by a school district.
             262          (7) "School board" or "board" means a district school board or its equivalent at the
             263      Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
             264          (8) "School district" or "district" means:
             265          (a) a public school district; or
             266          (b) the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
             267          (9) "Temporary employee" means an individual who is employed on a temporary basis
             268      as defined by policies adopted by the local board of education. If the class of employees in
             269      question is represented by an employee organization recognized by the local board, the board
             270      shall adopt its policies based upon an agreement with that organization. Temporary employees
             271      serve at will and have no expectation of continued employment.
             272          (10) (a) "Unsatisfactory performance" means a deficiency in performing work tasks
             273      which may be:


             274          (i) due to insufficient or undeveloped skills, lack of knowledge or aptitude, poor
             275      attitude, or insufficient effort; and
             276          (ii) remediated through training, study, mentoring, practice, or greater effort.
             277          (b) "Unsatisfactory performance" does not include the following conduct that is
             278      designated as a cause for termination under Section 53A-8a-501 or a reason for license
             279      discipline by the State Board of Education or Utah Professional Practices Advisory
             280      Commission:
             281          (i) a violation of work rules;
             282          (ii) a violation of local school board policies, State Board of Education rules, or law;
             283          (iii) a violation of standards of ethical, moral, or professional conduct; or
             284          (iv) insubordination.
             285          Section 5. Section 53A-8a-201 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-8-106 is
             286      renumbered and amended to read:
             287     
Part 2. Status of Employment

             288           [53A-8-106].     53A-8a-201. Career employee status for provisional
             289      employees -- Career status in the event of change of position -- Continuation of
             290      probationary status when position changes -- Temporary status for extra duty
             291      assignments -- Employees not eligible for career status.
             292          (1) (a) A provisional employee must work for a school district on at least a half-time
             293      basis for three consecutive years to obtain career employee status.
             294          (b) A school district may extend the provisional status of an employee up to an
             295      additional two consecutive years in accordance with a written policy adopted by the district's
             296      school board that specifies the circumstances under which an employee's provisional status
             297      may be extended.
             298          (2) Policies of an employing school district shall determine the status of a career
             299      employee in the event of the following:
             300          (a) the employee accepts a position which is substantially different from the position in
             301      which career status was achieved; or
             302          (b) the employee accepts employment in another school district.
             303          (3) If an employee who is under an order of probation or remediation in one
             304      assignment in a school district is transferred or given a new assignment in the district, the order


             305      shall stand until its provisions are satisfied.
             306          (4) An employee who is given extra duty assignments in addition to a primary
             307      assignment, such as a teacher who also serves as a coach or activity advisor, is a temporary
             308      employee in those extra duty assignments and may not acquire career status beyond the primary
             309      assignment.
             310          (5) A person is an at-will employee and is not eligible for career employee status if the
             311      person:
             312          (a) is a teacher who holds a competency-based license pursuant to Section 53A-6-104.5
             313      and does not hold a level 1, 2, or 3 license as defined in Section 53A-6-103 ; or
             314          (b) holds an administrative/supervisory letter of authorization pursuant to Section
             315      53A-6-110 .
             316          Section 6. Section 53A-8a-301 is enacted to read:
             317     
Part 3. Employee Evaluations

             318          53A-8a-301. Evaluation of employee performance.
             319          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a local school board shall require that the
             320      performance of each school district employee be evaluated annually in accordance with rules of
             321      the State Board of Education adopted in accordance with this chapter and Title 63G, Chapter 3,
             322      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
             323          (2) (a) Rules adopted by the State Board of Education under Subsection (1) may
             324      include an exemption from annual performance evaluations for temporary or part-time
             325      employees.
             326          (b) As provided by Section 53A-8a-405 , a provisional or probationary educator shall be
             327      evaluated at least twice each school year.
             328          Section 7. Section 53A-8a-302 is enacted to read:
             329          53A-8a-302. State Board of Education rules -- Reporting to Legislature.
             330          (1) Subject to Part 4, Educator Evaluations, and Part 7, Evaluation and Compensation
             331      of Administrators, rules adopted by the State Board of Education under Section 53A-8a-301
             332      shall:
             333          (a) provide general guidelines, requirements, and procedures for the development and
             334      implementation of employee evaluations;
             335          (b) establish required components and allow for optional components of employee


             336      evaluations;
             337          (c) allow school districts to chose valid and reliable methods and tools to implement
             338      the evaluations; and
             339          (d) establish a timeline for school districts to implement employee evaluations.
             340          (2) The State Board of Education shall report to the Education Interim Committee, as
             341      requested, on progress in implementing employee evaluations in accordance with this part, Part
             342      4, Educator Evaluations, and Part 7, Evaluation and Compensation of Administrators.
             343          Section 8. Section 53A-8a-401 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-101 is
             344      renumbered and amended to read:
             345     
Part 4. Educator Evaluations

             346           [53A-10-101].     53A-8a-401. Legislative findings.
             347          (1) The Legislature recognizes that the quality of public education can be improved and
             348      enhanced by systematic, fair, and competent annual evaluation of public educators and
             349      remediation of those whose performance is inadequate.
             350          (2) In accordance with Subsections 53A-1a-104 (7) and 53A-6-102 (2)(a) and (b), the
             351      desired purposes of evaluation are to:
             352          (a) allow the educator and the school district to promote the professional growth of the
             353      educator; and
             354          (b) identify and encourage quality instruction in order to improve student achievement.
             355          Section 9. Section 53A-8a-402 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-102 is
             356      renumbered and amended to read:
             357           [53A-10-102].     53A-8a-402. Definitions.
             358          As used in this chapter:
             359          (1) "Career educator" means a licensed employee who has a reasonable expectation of
             360      continued employment under the policies of a local school board.
             361          (2) "Educator" means an individual employed by a school district who is required to
             362      hold a professional license issued by the State Board of Education, except:
             363          (a) a superintendent; or
             364          (b) an individual who:
             365          (i) works fewer than three hours per day; or
             366          (ii) is hired for less than half of a school year.


             367          (3) "Probationary educator" means an educator employed by a school district who,
             368      under local school board policy, has been advised by the district that the educator's
             369      performance is inadequate.
             370          (4) "Provisional educator" means an educator employed by a school district who has
             371      not achieved status as a career educator within the school district.
             372          Section 10. Section 53A-8a-403 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-103 is
             373      renumbered and amended to read:
             374           [53A-10-103].     53A-8a-403. Establishment of educator evaluation program
             375      -- Joint committee.
             376          (1) A local school board shall develop an educator evaluation program in consultation
             377      with its joint committee.
             378          (2) The joint committee described in Subsection (1) shall consist of an equal number of
             379      classroom teachers, parents, and administrators appointed by the local school board.
             380          (3) A local school board may appoint members of the joint committee from a list of
             381      nominees:
             382          (a) voted on by classroom teachers in a nomination election;
             383          (b) voted on by the administrators in a nomination election; and
             384          (c) of parents submitted by school community councils within the district.
             385          (4) The evaluation program developed by the joint committee must comply with the
             386      requirements of this chapter.
             387          Section 11. Section 53A-8a-404 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-105 is
             388      renumbered and amended to read:
             389           [53A-10-105].     53A-8a-404. Evaluation orientation.
             390          (1) The principal of each school shall orient all educators assigned to the school
             391      concerning the school board's educator evaluation program, including the purpose of the
             392      evaluations and the method used to evaluate.
             393          (2) Evaluations may not occur prior to the orientation by the principal.
             394          Section 12. Section 53A-8a-405 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-106 is
             395      renumbered and amended to read:
             396           [53A-10-106].     53A-8a-405. Components of educator evaluation program.
             397          An educator evaluation program adopted by a local school board in consultation with a


             398      joint committee established in Section [ 53A-10-103 ] 53A-8a-403 shall include the following
             399      components:
             400          (1) a reliable and valid evaluation program consistent with generally accepted
             401      professional standards for personnel evaluation systems;
             402          (2) (a) the evaluation of provisional and probationary educators at least twice each
             403      school year; and
             404          (b) the annual evaluation of all career educators;
             405          (3) systematic evaluation procedures for both provisional and career educators;
             406          (4) the use of multiple lines of evidence, such as:
             407          (a) self-evaluation;
             408          (b) student and parent input;
             409          (c) peer observation;
             410          (d) supervisor observations;
             411          (e) evidence of professional growth;
             412          (f) student achievement data; and
             413          (g) other indicators of instructional improvement;
             414          (5) a reasonable number of observation periods for an evaluation to insure adequate
             415      reliability;
             416          (6) administration of an educator's evaluation by:
             417          (a) the principal;
             418          (b) the principal's designee;
             419          (c) the educator's immediate supervisor; or
             420          (d) another person specified in the evaluation program; [and]
             421          (7) an orientation for educators on the educator evaluation program[.]; and
             422          (8) a summative evaluation that differentiates among four levels of performance.
             423          Section 13. Section 53A-8a-406 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-106.5 is
             424      renumbered and amended to read:
             425           [53A-10-106.5].     53A-8a-406. Summative evaluation timelines -- Review of
             426      summative evaluations.
             427          (1) The person responsible for administering an educator's summative evaluation shall:
             428          (a) at least 15 days before an educator's first evaluation:


             429          (i) notify the educator of the evaluation process; and
             430          (ii) give the educator a copy of the evaluation instrument, if an instrument is used;
             431          (b) (i) allow the educator to make a written response to any part of the evaluation; and
             432          (ii) attach the educator's response to the evaluation;
             433          (c) within 15 days after the evaluation process is completed, discuss the written
             434      evaluation with the educator; and
             435          (d) following any revision of the written evaluation made after the discussion:
             436          (i) file the evaluation and any related reports or documents in the educator's personnel
             437      file; and
             438          (ii) give a copy of the written evaluation and attachments to the educator.
             439          (2) An educator who is not satisfied with a summative evaluation may request a review
             440      of the evaluation within 15 days after receiving the written evaluation.
             441          (3) (a) If a review is requested, the school district superintendent or the
             442      superintendent's designee shall appoint a person not employed by the school district who has
             443      expertise in teacher or personnel evaluation to review the evaluation procedures and make
             444      recommendations to the superintendent regarding the [teacher's] educator's summative
             445      evaluation.
             446          (b) The State Board of Education shall make rules prescribing standards for an
             447      independent review of an educator's summative evaluation.
             448          (c) A review of an educator's summative evaluation under Subsection (3)(a) shall be
             449      conducted in accordance with State Board of Education rules made under Subsection (3)(b).
             450          Section 14. Section 53A-8a-407 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-107 is
             451      renumbered and amended to read:
             452           [53A-10-107].     53A-8a-407. Deficiencies -- Improvement.
             453          (1) The person responsible for administering an educator's evaluation shall give an
             454      educator whose performance is inadequate or in need of improvement a written document
             455      clearly identifying:
             456          (a) specific, measurable, and actionable deficiencies;
             457          (b) the available resources that will be provided for improvement; and
             458          (c) a recommended course of action that will improve the educator's performance.
             459          (2) An educator is responsible for improving performance, including using any


             460      resources identified by the school district, and demonstrating acceptable levels of improvement
             461      in the designated areas of deficiencies.
             462          [(3) (a) The person responsible for administering the evaluation of an educator whose
             463      performance has been determined to be inadequate or in need of improvement shall complete
             464      written evaluations and recommendations regarding the educator at least 30 days before the end
             465      of the educator's contract school year.]
             466          [(b) The final evaluation shall include only data previously considered and discussed
             467      with the educator as required by Section 53A-10-106.5 .]
             468          (3) Subsections (1)(b), (1)(c), and (2) do not apply if the educator's unsatisfactory
             469      performance was documented for the same deficiency within the previous three years and a
             470      plan of assistance was implemented as provided in Section 53A-8a-504 .
             471          Section 15. Section 53A-8a-408 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-10-108 is
             472      renumbered and amended to read:
             473           [53A-10-108].     53A-8a-408. Mentor for provisional educator.
             474          (1) In accordance with Subsections 53A-1a-104 (7) and 53A-6-102 (2)(a) and (b), the
             475      principal or immediate supervisor of a provisional educator shall assign a person who has
             476      received training or will receive training in mentoring educators as a mentor to the provisional
             477      educator.
             478          (2) Where possible, the mentor shall be a career educator who performs substantially
             479      the same duties as the provisional educator and has at least three years of educational
             480      experience.
             481          (3) The mentor shall assist the provisional educator to become effective and competent
             482      in the teaching profession and school system, but may not serve as an evaluator of the
             483      provisional educator.
             484          (4) An educator who is assigned as a mentor may receive compensation for those
             485      services in addition to the educator's regular salary.
             486          Section 16. Section 53A-8a-409 is enacted to read:
             487          53A-8a-409. State Board of Education to establish a framework for the evaluation
             488      of educators.
             489          The State Board of Education shall make rules:
             490          (1) establishing a framework for the evaluation of educators that is consistent with the


             491      requirements of Part 3, Employee Evaluations, and this part;
             492          (2) requiring a teacher's summative evaluation to be based on:
             493          (a) student learning growth; and
             494          (b) standards of instructional quality; and
             495          (3) requiring each school district to fully implement an evaluation system for educators
             496      in accordance with the framework established by the State Board of Education no later than the
             497      2014-15 school year.
             498          Section 17. Section 53A-8a-501 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-8-103 is
             499      renumbered and amended to read:
             500     
Part 5. Orderly School Termination Procedures

             501           [53A-8-103].     53A-8a-501. Local school board to establish dismissal
             502      procedures.
             503          (1) A local school board shall, by contract with its employees or their associations, or
             504      by resolution of the board, establish procedures for dismissal of employees in an orderly
             505      manner without discrimination.
             506          (2) The procedures shall include:
             507          (a) standards of due process [and];
             508          (b) causes for dismissal[.]; and
             509          (c) procedures and standards related to developing and implementing a plan of
             510      assistance for a career employee whose performance is unsatisfactory.
             511          (3) Procedures and standards for a plan of assistance adopted under Subsection (2)(c)
             512      shall require a plan of assistance to identify:
             513          (a) specific, measurable, and actionable deficiencies;
             514          (b) the available resources provided for improvement; and
             515          (c) a course of action to improve employee performance.
             516          Section 18. Section 53A-8a-502 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-8-104 is
             517      renumbered and amended to read:
             518           [53A-8-104].     53A-8a-502. Dismissal procedures.
             519          (1) A district shall provide employees with a written statement specifying:
             520          (a) the causes under which a career employee's contract may not be renewed or
             521      continued beyond the current school year;


             522          (b) the causes under which a career or provisional employee's contract may be
             523      terminated during the contract term; and
             524          (c) the orderly dismissal procedures that are used by the district in cases of contract
             525      termination, discontinuance, or nonrenewal.
             526          (2) [If the district intends to terminate a] A career employee's contract may be
             527      terminated during its term for reasons of unsatisfactory performance or [discontinue a career
             528      employee's contract] discontinued beyond the current school year for reasons of unsatisfactory
             529      performance[, the unsatisfactory performance must be documented in at least two evaluations
             530      conducted at any time within the preceding three years in accordance with district policies or
             531      practices] as provided in Section 53A-8a-503 .
             532          [(3) (a) A district shall notify a career employee, at least 30 days prior to issuing under
             533      Subsection (3)(d) notice of intent not to renew or continue the career employee's contract
             534      beyond the current school year, that continued employment is in question and the reasons for
             535      the anticipated nonrenewal or discontinuance.]
             536          [(b) If a career employee receives a notice under Subsection (3)(a) that continued
             537      employment is in question, the board:]
             538          [(i) shall give the career employee an opportunity to correct the problem in accordance
             539      with the district evaluation policies; and]
             540          [(ii) may grant the career employee assistance to correct the deficiencies, including
             541      informal conferences and the services of school personnel within the district.]
             542          [(c) If a career employee does not correct the deficiencies as determined in accordance
             543      with the evaluation and personnel policies of the district and the district intends to not renew or
             544      discontinue the contract of employment of the career employee at the end of the current school
             545      year, it shall give notice of that intention to the employee.]
             546          [(d) The district shall issue the notice at least 30 days before the end of the career
             547      employee's contract term.]
             548          [(4)] (3) (a) A district is not required to provide a cause for not offering a contract to a
             549      provisional employee.
             550          (b) If a district intends to not offer a contract for a subsequent term of employment to a
             551      provisional employee, the district shall give notice of that intention to the employee at least 60
             552      days before the end of the provisional employee's contract term.


             553          [(5)] (4) In the absence of a notice, an employee is considered employed for the next
             554      contract term with a salary based upon the salary schedule applicable to the class of employee
             555      into which the individual falls.
             556          [(6)] (5) If a district intends to not renew or discontinue the contract of a career
             557      employee or to terminate a career or provisional employee's contract during the contract term:
             558          (a) the district shall give written notice of the intent to the employee;
             559          (b) the notice shall be served by personal delivery or by certified mail addressed to the
             560      employee's last-known address as shown on the records of the district;
             561          (c) [except as provided under Subsection (3),] the district shall give notice at least 30
             562      days prior to the proposed date of termination;
             563          (d) the notice shall state the date of termination and the detailed reasons for
             564      termination;
             565          (e) the notice shall advise the employee that the employee has a right to a fair hearing
             566      and that the hearing is waived if it is not requested within 15 days after the notice of
             567      termination was either personally delivered or mailed to the employee's most recent address
             568      shown on the district's personnel records; and
             569          (f) the notice shall state that failure of the employee to request a hearing in accordance
             570      with procedures set forth in the notice constitutes a waiver of that right and that the district may
             571      then proceed with termination without further notice.
             572          [(7)] (6) (a) The procedure under which a contract is terminated during its term may
             573      include a provision under which the active service of the employee is suspended pending a
             574      hearing if it appears that the continued employment of the individual may be harmful to
             575      students or to the district.
             576          (b) Suspension pending a hearing may be without pay if an authorized representative of
             577      the district determines, after providing the employee with an opportunity for an informal
             578      conference to discuss the allegations, that it is more likely than not that the allegations against
             579      the employee are true.
             580          (c) If termination is not subsequently ordered, the employee shall receive back pay for
             581      the period of suspension without pay.
             582          [(8)] (7) The procedure under which an employee's contract is terminated during its
             583      term shall provide for a written notice of suspension or final termination including findings of


             584      fact upon which the action is based.
             585          Section 19. Section 53A-8a-503 is enacted to read:
             586          53A-8a-503. Nonrenewal or termination of a career employee's contract for
             587      unsatisfactory performance.
             588          (1) If a district intends to not renew a career employee's contract for unsatisfactory
             589      performance or terminate a career employee's contract during the contract term for
             590      unsatisfactory performance, the district shall:
             591          (a) provide and discuss with the career employee written documentation clearly
             592      identifying the deficiencies in performance;
             593          (b) provide written notice that the career employee's contract is subject to nonrenewal
             594      or termination if, upon a reevaluation of the career employee's performance, the career
             595      employee's performance is determined to be unsatisfactory;
             596          (c) develop and implement a plan of assistance, in accordance with procedures and
             597      standards established by the local school board under Section 53A-8a-501 , to allow the career
             598      employee an opportunity to improve performance;
             599          (d) reevaluate the career employee's performance; and
             600          (e) if the career employee's performance remains unsatisfactory, give notice of intent to
             601      not renew or terminate the career employee's contract in accordance with Subsection
             602      53A-8a-502 (5).
             603          (2) (a) The period of time for implementing a plan of assistance:
             604          (i) may not exceed 120 school days, except as provided under Subsection (2)(b);
             605          (ii) may continue into the next school year; and
             606          (iii) should be sufficient to successfully complete the plan of assistance.
             607          (b) In accordance with local school board policy, the period of time for implementing a
             608      plan of assistance may extend beyond 120 school days if:
             609          (i) a career employee is on leave from work during the time period the plan of
             610      assistance is scheduled to be implemented; and
             611          (ii) (A) the leave was approved and scheduled before the written notice was provided
             612      under Subsection (1)(b); or
             613          (B) the leave is specifically approved by the local school board.
             614          (3) (a) If upon a reevaluation of the career employee's performance, the district


             615      determines the career employee's performance is satisfactory, and within a three-year period
             616      after the initial documentation of unsatisfactory performance for the same deficiency pursuant
             617      to Subsection (1)(a), the career employee's performance is determined to be unsatisfactory, the
             618      district may elect to not renew or terminate the career employee's contract.
             619          (b) If a district intends to not renew or terminate a career employee's contract as
             620      provided in Subsection (3)(a), the district shall:
             621          (i) provide written documentation of the career employee's deficiencies in
             622      performance; and
             623          (ii) give notice of intent to not renew or terminate the career employee's contract in
             624      accordance with Subsection 53A-8a-502 (5).
             625          Section 20. Section 53A-8a-504 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-8-105 is
             626      renumbered and amended to read:
             627           [53A-8-105].     53A-8a-504. Hearings before district board or hearing
             628      officers -- Rights of the board and the employee -- Subpoenas -- Appeals.
             629          (1) (a) Hearings are held under this chapter before the board or before hearing officers
             630      selected by the board to conduct the hearings and make recommendations concerning findings.
             631          (b) The board shall establish procedures to appoint hearing officers.
             632          (c) The board may delegate its authority to a hearing officer to make decisions relating
             633      to the employment of an employee which are binding upon both the employee and the board.
             634          (d) This Subsection (1) does not limit the right of the board or the employee to appeal
             635      to an appropriate court of law.
             636          (2) At the hearings, an employee has the right to counsel, to produce witnesses, to hear
             637      testimony against the employee, to cross-examine witnesses, and to examine documentary
             638      evidence.
             639          (3) Subpoenas may be issued and oaths administered as provided under Section
             640      53A-6-603 .
             641          Section 21. Section 53A-8a-505 , which is renumbered from Section 53A-8-107 is
             642      renumbered and amended to read:
             643           [53A-8-107].     53A-8a-505. Necessary staff reduction not precluded --
             644      Last-hired, first-fired layoffs prohibited.
             645          (1) Nothing in this chapter prevents staff reduction if necessary to reduce the number


             646      of employees because of the following:
             647          (a) declining student enrollments in the district;
             648          (b) the discontinuance or substantial reduction of a particular service or program;
             649          (c) the shortage of anticipated revenue after the budget has been adopted; or
             650          (d) school consolidation.
             651          (2) A school district may not utilize a last-hired, first-fired layoff policy when
             652      terminating school district employees.
             653          (3) A school district may consider the following factors when terminating a school
             654      district employee:
             655          (a) the results of an employee's performance evaluation; and
             656          (b) a school's personnel needs.
             657          Section 22. Section 53A-8a-506 is enacted to read:
             658          53A-8a-506. Restriction on transfer of employee with unsatisfactory performance.
             659          An employee whose performance is unsatisfactory may not be transferred to another
             660      school unless the local school board specifically approves the transfer of the employee.
             661          Section 23. Section 53A-8a-601 is enacted to read:
             662     
Part 6. Performance Compensation

             663          53A-8a-601. State Board of Education to make rules on performance
             664      compensation.
             665          (1) The State Board of Education shall make rules requiring a school district's
             666      employee compensation system to be aligned with the district's annual evaluation system.
             667          (2) Rules adopted under Subsection (1) shall:
             668          (a) establish a timeline for developing and implementing an employee compensation
             669      system that is aligned with an annual evaluation system; and
             670          (b) provide that beginning no later than the 2015-16 school year:
             671          (i) any advancement on an adopted wage or salary schedule shall be based primarily on
             672      an evaluation; and
             673          (ii) an employee may not advance on an adopted wage or salary schedule if the
             674      employee's rating on the most recent evaluation is at the lowest level of an evaluation
             675      instrument.
             676          Section 24. Section 53A-8a-602 is enacted to read:


             677          53A-8a-602. Educator's eligibility for a wage increase.
             678          An educator, as defined in Section 53A-6-103 , may not advance on an adopted salary
             679      schedule if the educator's rating on the most recent evaluation is at the second lowest level of
             680      an evaluation instrument that differentiates among four levels of performance as described in
             681      Section 53A-8a-405 , unless the educator:
             682          (1) is a provisional educator; or
             683          (2) is in the first year of an assignment, including a new subject, grade level, or school.
             684          Section 25. Section 53A-8a-701 is enacted to read:
             685     
Part 7. Evaluation and Compensation of Administrators

             686          53A-8a-701. Definitions.
             687          As used in this part:
             688          (1) "District administrator" means an individual who:
             689          (a) serves in a position that requires an educator license with an administrative area of
             690      concentration, except as provided in Section 53A-3-301 or 53A-6-110 ; and
             691          (b) supervises school administrators.
             692          (2) "School administrator" means an individual who:
             693          (a) serves in a position that requires an educator license with an administrative area of
             694      concentration, except as provided in Section 53A-6-110 ; and
             695          (b) supervises teachers.
             696          Section 26. Section 53A-8a-702 is enacted to read:
             697          53A-8a-702. Evaluation of school and district administrators.
             698          The State Board of Education shall:
             699          (1) establish in rules a framework for the evaluation of school and district
             700      administrators that includes the following components:
             701          (a) student achievement indicators emphasizing learning growth and proficiency;
             702          (b) the results of an evaluation tool utilized by the local school board that includes
             703      input from employees, parents, and students;
             704          (c) the effectiveness of evaluating employee performance in a school or district for
             705      which the school or district administrator has responsibility; and
             706          (d) other factors as determined by a local school board in implementing state law and
             707      State Board of Education rules; and


             708          (2) require each school district to fully implement an evaluation system for school and
             709      district administrators in accordance with the framework established by the State Board of
             710      Education no later than the 2014-15 school year.
             711          Section 27. Section 53A-8a-703 is enacted to read:
             712          53A-8a-703. Compensation of school and district administrators.
             713          (1) Beginning no later than the 2015-16 school year, a school or district administrator's
             714      salary shall be based on the school or district administrator's most recent evaluation.
             715          (2) A school district shall continue each year to award any salary increases to a school
             716      or district administrator based on an evaluation administered pursuant to Section 53A-8a-702
             717      until at least 15% of a school or district administrator's salary is contingent upon the evaluation
             718      administered pursuant to Section 53A-8a-702 .
             719          Section 28. Section 53A-11-605 is amended to read:
             720           53A-11-605. Definitions -- School personnel -- Medical recommendations --
             721      Exceptions -- Penalties.
             722          (1) As used in this section:
             723          (a) "Health care professional" means a physician, physician assistant, nurse, dentist, or
             724      mental health therapist.
             725          (b) "School personnel" means any school district or charter school employee, including
             726      licensed, part-time, contract, and nonlicensed employees.
             727          (2) School personnel may:
             728          (a) provide information and observations to a student's parent or guardian about that
             729      student, including observations and concerns in the following areas:
             730          (i) progress;
             731          (ii) health and wellness;
             732          (iii) social interactions;
             733          (iv) behavior; or
             734          (v) topics consistent with Subsection 53A-13-302 (6);
             735          (b) communicate information and observations between school personnel regarding a
             736      child;
             737          (c) refer students to other appropriate school personnel and agents, consistent with
             738      local school board or charter school policy, including referrals and communication with a


             739      school counselor or other mental health professionals working within the school system;
             740          (d) consult or use appropriate health care professionals in the event of an emergency
             741      while the student is at school, consistent with the student emergency information provided at
             742      student enrollment;
             743          (e) exercise their authority relating to the placement within the school or readmission
             744      of a child who may be or has been suspended or expelled for a violation of Section
             745      53A-11-904 ; and
             746          (f) complete a behavioral health evaluation form if requested by a student's parent or
             747      guardian to provide information to a licensed physician.
             748          (3) School personnel shall:
             749          (a) report suspected child abuse consistent with Section 62A-4a-403 ;
             750          (b) comply with applicable state and local health department laws, rules, and policies;
             751      and
             752          (c) conduct evaluations and assessments consistent with the Individuals with
             753      Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq., and its subsequent amendments.
             754          (4) Except as provided in Subsection (2) and Subsection (6), school personnel may not:
             755          (a) recommend to a parent or guardian that a child take or continue to take a
             756      psychotropic medication;
             757          (b) require that a student take or continue to take a psychotropic medication as a
             758      condition for attending school;
             759          (c) recommend that a parent or guardian seek or use a type of psychiatric or
             760      psychological treatment for a child;
             761          (d) conduct a psychiatric or behavioral health evaluation or mental health screening,
             762      test, evaluation, or assessment of a child, except where this Subsection (4)(d) conflicts with the
             763      Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq., and its subsequent
             764      amendments; or
             765          (e) make a child abuse or neglect report to authorities, including the Division of Child
             766      and Family Services, solely or primarily on the basis that a parent or guardian refuses to
             767      consent to:
             768          (i) a psychiatric, psychological, or behavioral treatment for a child, including the
             769      administration of a psychotropic medication to a child; or


             770          (ii) a psychiatric or behavioral health evaluation of a child.
             771          (5) Notwithstanding Subsection (4)(e), school personnel may make a report that would
             772      otherwise be prohibited under Subsection (4)(e) if failure to take the action described under
             773      Subsection (4)(e) would present a serious, imminent risk to the child's safety or the safety of
             774      others.
             775          (6) Notwithstanding Subsection (4), a school counselor or other mental health
             776      professional acting in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 60, Mental Health Professional
             777      Practice Act, or licensed through the State Board of Education, working within the school
             778      system may:
             779          (a) recommend, but not require, a psychiatric or behavioral health evaluation of a child;
             780          (b) recommend, but not require, psychiatric, psychological, or behavioral treatment for
             781      a child;
             782          (c) conduct a psychiatric or behavioral health evaluation or mental health screening,
             783      test, evaluation, or assessment of a child in accordance with Section 53A-13-302 ; and
             784          (d) provide to a parent or guardian, upon the specific request of the parent or guardian,
             785      a list of three or more health care professionals or providers, including licensed physicians,
             786      psychologists, or other health specialists.
             787          (7) Local school boards or charter schools shall adopt a policy:
             788          (a) providing for training of appropriate school personnel on the provisions of this
             789      section; and
             790          (b) indicating that an intentional violation of this section is cause for disciplinary action
             791      consistent with local school board or charter school policy and under Section [ 53A-8-104 ]
             792      53A-8a-502 .
             793          (8) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as discouraging general communication
             794      not prohibited by this section between school personnel and a student's parent or guardian.


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