Texas House Bill HB4163

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to requirements regarding the employment by school districts of educational support employees.

Impact

By requiring written employment policies, the bill aims to enhance the accountability and evaluation processes for educational support employees. It stipulates that these policies must include a probationary employment period not exceeding 135 days for new educators and mandates annual performance evaluations. This structured approach seeks to create a more transparent operational framework for school districts and ensures that educational support staff receive regular feedback on their performance.

Summary

House Bill 4163 focuses on establishing specific requirements regarding the employment of educational support employees within Texas school districts. The bill defines 'educational support employee' as employees not entitled to a contract under Section 21.002 and who are not administrators. It mandates that school district boards of trustees adopt a written employment policy that aligns with the provisions outlined in the bill, specifically targeting the rights and responsibilities associated with the employment of educational support staff.

Contention

Areas of potential contention may arise regarding the specifics of the termination procedures laid out in HB4163. The bill requires that before an educational support employee can be terminated, they must receive written notice detailing the grounds for the proposed termination. Additionally, it establishes a review process involving the superintendent, which may prompt discussions about the fairness and effectiveness of such procedures, ensuring that employees have a venue to respond to termination actions.

Provisions

The bill applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and includes provisions for immediate effect pending a two-thirds vote from both legislative houses. This measure indicates the urgency and importance placed on these employment requirements, highlighting the state’s commitment to improving school district policies related to educational support personnel.