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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 179
BY REPRESENTATIVE DIXON
SCHOOLS/EMPLOYEES: Provides relative to employment contracts for school employees
being promoted or employed in a position of higher salary
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:444(B)(4)(d), relative to employment contracts for school employees who2
are promoted or employed in a position of higher salary; to provide for the3
superintendent to disclose the terms of such contracts to the board; and to provide4
for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 17:444(B)(4)(d) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 7
ยง444. Promotions to and employment into positions of higher salary and tenure8
* * *9
B.10
* * *11
(4)12
* * *13
(d) Prior to the board's approval of any initial or subsequent contract of14
employment pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the superintendent shall15
disclose all terms of such a contract to the board.16
* * *17
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not18
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature19 HLS 14RS-765 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 179
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by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If1
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become2
effective on the day following such approval.3
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Dixon HB No. 179
Abstract: Relative to employment contracts for school employees who are promoted or
employed in a position of higher salary, requires a superintendent, prior to a school
board's approval of any such initial or subsequent contract, to disclose all terms of
such a contract to the board.
Present law provides relative to promotions to and employment of school employees into
positions of higher salary. Provides in part that, except as authorized for the term of a
superintendent of schools, employment of school employees being promoted or employed
in a position of higher salary shall be for a term of at least two years and not more than four
years, the term to be specified in a written performance contract. Excepts employment in
a temporary position. Relative to subsequent contracts between an employee and the board
upon expiration of a contract, requires the superintendent to notify the employee of
termination of employment no less than 120 days prior to the contract's expiration, and
alternatively authorizes the board and the employee to negotiate and enter into a contract for
subsequent employment. Requires the board to negotiate and offer a new contract at the
expiration of each existing contract unless the superintendent recommends otherwise based
upon the employee's evaluation or for other specified reasons. Also provides relative to
removal during the term of a contract for specified causes.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally requires the superintendent, prior to the
board's approval of any initial or subsequent contract of employment pursuant to present
law, to disclose all terms of such a contract to the board.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:444(B)(4)(d))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original
bill.
1. Deletes all proposed law, including these provisions:
(a)The requirement that a contract be presented to the board for review
before the contract is entered into, together with specified information,
including the name of the person to whom the contract will be offered,
salary and other compensation and benefits provided, contract term and
date it takes effect, and other information.
(b)The requirement that contracts be for two years, unless the board requires
a longer term for a specific contract. HLS 14RS-765 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 179
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(c)The prohibition against offering a new contract at the expiration of an
existing contract earlier than 120 days prior to such expiration.
2. Replaces deleted proposed law with a requirement that a superintendent disclose
all terms of a contract to the board.