ENROLLED
ACT No. 292
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 655
BY REPRESENTATIVE MINCEY
1 AN ACT
2 To 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.
6 Be 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)
8 and (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.
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1 (b) An interim superintendent shall have the same authority as a
2 superintendent.
3 (c) The election of an interim superintendent is not subject to the provisions
4 applicable to the process of selection or employment of a superintendent or to the
5 requirement or content of a contract.
6 (d) A school board shall not employ an interim superintendent for longer
7 than six months in any given twelve month period unless the appointment is made
8 during the final year of the term of the majority of members.
9 * * *
10 D.(1) A school board may place a superintendent on paid administrative
11 leave prior to the expiration of his contract:
12 (a) For the purpose of investigating cause for termination.
13 (b) Without cause during the final three months of the term of his contract
14 when the school board has voted not to extend a new contract offer.
15 (c) At a time as agreed by the superintendent.
16 (d) At a time as provided for in his contract.
17 (2) Paid administrative leave is subject to the following:
18 (a) Approval of a majority of the membership of the school board.
19 (b) A three month time limit within a six month period.
20 (c) All compensation afforded under the terms of the existing contract.
21 * * *
22 §81. General powers of local public school boards
23 A.
24 * * *
25 (3) Each local public school board shall delegate authority for the hiring and
26 placement of all school personnel, including those for which state certification is
27 required to the local school superintendent. It shall be the responsibility of the
28 superintendent to ensure that all persons have proper certification, as applicable, and
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1 are qualified for the position. However, at any point in the final three months of the
2 superintendent's contract, if he has been placed on notice that the school board has voted not
3 to offer him a new contract and an interim superintendent has been selected in accordance
4 with R.S. 17:54, such delegation shall extend to the interim superintendent without action
5 of the school board.
6 * * *
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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