How Far Can Teacher Discipline Go Without Involving the Tenure Act?
Wednesday, 01 November 2017
To what extent may a school district discipline a tenured teacher without triggering the time-consuming and expensive mandatory provisions of the Teacher’s Tenure Act, e.g., written charges, board of education action, suspension with pay, full evidentiary hearing before an administrative law judge, legal briefs, and final decision of the Tenure Commission? Certainly, oral and written
- Published in Did You Know?
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Did You Know? Investigative Materials
Thursday, 01 September 2016
Need the School District turn over investigative materials to the union? Contrary to common belief, unions are generally not entitled to witness statements and administrators’ interview notes created during the investigation of alleged employee misconduct resulting in disciplinary action. Although unions frequently demand, and employers provide, such investigatory documents, absent express contract language requiring disclosure,
- Published in Did You Know?
Did You Know? Closed Sessions
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Notwithstanding some tendencies and practices to the contrary (not within your district, of course), the Michigan Open Meetings Act does not authorize a board of education to meet in closed session whenever a “personnel matter” is to be considered. This catch-all phrase is simply not found within the text of the OMA. The OMA does
- Published in Did You Know?
Termination Notice Deadline
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
The termination notice deadline for first-time probationary teachers and previously tenured teachers is NOT the same. If a school district decides to terminate a probationary teacher for unsatisfactory performance, the Teachers’ Tenure Act currently requires that the teacher be provided a written notice that his/her work has been “ineffective” and that his/her “services will be
- Published in Did You Know?