HLS 20RS-960 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 655
BY REPRESENTATIVE MINCEY
SCHOOLS/LOCAL SUPERINTDT: Provides relative to the employment of
superintendents of schools
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 17:81(A)(3) and to enact R.S. 17:54(B)(4) and (D), relative to
3 local school superintendents; to provide for the employment of superintendents and
4 interim superintendents; to provide for placing superintendents on administrative
5 leave; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:81(A)(3) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 17:54(B)(4)
8and (D) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
9 §54. Officers of boards, election; superintendents, qualifications, appointment and
10 removal
11 * * *
12 B.
13 * * *
14 (4)(a) The board may, by a majority vote of its membership, select a person
15 to serve as interim superintendent in the event of the death, resignation, or
16 termination of the superintendent or his being placed on paid administrative leave
17 in accordance with Subsection D of this Section.
18 (b) An interim superintendent shall have the same authority as a
19 superintendent.
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HB NO. 655
1 (c) The election of an interim superintendent is not subject to the provisions
2 applicable to the process of selection or employment of a superintendent or to the
3 requirement or content of a contract.
4 (d) A school board shall not employ an interim superintendent for longer
5 than six months in any given twelve month period unless the appointment is made
6 during the final year of the term of the majority of members.
7 * * *
8 D.(1) A school board may place a superintendent on paid administrative
9 leave prior to the expiration of his contract:
10 (a) For the purpose of investigating cause for termination.
11 (b) Without cause during the final three months of the term of his contract
12 when the school board has voted not to extend a new contract offer.
13 (c) At a time as agreed by the superintendent.
14 (d) At a time as provided for in his contract.
15 (2) Paid administrative leave is subject to the following:
16 (a) Approval of a majority of the membership of the school board.
17 (b) A three month time limit within a six month period.
18 (c) All compensation afforded under the terms of the existing contract.
19 * * *
20 §81. General powers of local public school boards
21 A.
22 * * *
23 (3) Each local public school board shall delegate authority for the hiring and
24 placement of all school personnel, including those for which state certification is
25 required to the local school superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the
26 superintendent to ensure that all persons have proper certification, as applicable, and
27 are qualified for the position. However, at any point in the final three months of the
28 superintendent's contract, if he has been placed on notice that the school board has
29 voted not to offer him a new contract and an interim superintendent has been selected
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HB NO. 655
1 in accordance with R.S. 17:54, such delegation shall extend to the interim
2 superintendent without action of the school board.
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)]
HB 655 Original 2020 Regular Session Mincey
Abstract: Provides relative to local superintendents of schools.
Present law provides for the election of local superintendents by public school boards.
Requires favorable vote of a majority of the board membership. Proposed law retains
present law. Proposed law provides for interim superintendents to be elected in the same
manner in the event of certain circumstances including a superintendent's death, resignation,
termination, or placement on administrative leave. Further provides an interim
superintendent shall have the same authority as a superintendent and that he shall not be
employed for more than six months in a twelve month period.
Present law requires school boards to delegate authority for personnel decisions to the local
superintendent, including policies related to reductions in force. Proposed law additionally
requires that if the superintendent has been placed on notice that his contract will not be
renewed and an interim superintendent has been elected, such delegation shall extend to the
interim superintendent.
Proposed law authorizes school boards to place superintendents on paid administrative leave
and provides conditions of such leave.
(Amends R.S. 17:81(A)(3); Adds R.S. 17:54(B)(4) and (D))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.