SS#2/SCS/SB 806 – This act modifies provisions relating to the employment of school personnel.LENGTH OF TIME TO EARN TENURE: Currently, a teacher who is employed in the same school district for five successive years earns permanent teacher status. This act increases the length of time to earn permanent teacher status to ten successive years. This change applies to the statewide tenure system and the system in place for the St. Louis City School District. (Sections 168.104 & 168.221)
REDUCTION IN FORCE: This act modifies the criteria that a school board uses when placing teachers on leave of absence because of a decrease in student enrollment, district reorganization, or financial condition. This act repeals requirements and procedures commonly referred to as "last in first out" which, when placing teachers on leave, give preference to permanent teachers and retains permanent teachers based on performance-based evaluation and seniority. Instead, this act provides that seniority or years of service cannot be used as criteria for reduction in force; effective teacher performance will be the deciding criterion. This act defines adverse financial condition for purposes of a reduction in force. (Section 168.124)
REDUCTION IN FORCE FOR TEACHERS IN ST. LOUIS: Currently, a separate tenure system exists for the St. Louis City School District. This act ends the "last in first out" system of placing teachers on leave. Instead, effective teacher performance will be the deciding criterion for placing teachers on leave. (Section 168.221)
REDUCTION IN FORCE FOR NON-CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES IN ST. LOUIS: Currently, non-certified employees in the St. Louis City School District have a system with tenure-like protections. This act repeals Section 168.291, which governs reduction in force for these employees and established a "last in first out" system for them. (Section 168.291)
This act has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2013. (Section B)
MICHAEL RUFF