File: GCG
PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROBATION AND CONTINUING CONTRACT
A probationary term of service of three years in Buena Vista City School Division shall be required before a teacher is issued a continuing contract. Service under a local teacher license shall not count towards satisfying this probationary requirement. A mentor teacher shall be provided to every first year probationary teacher to assist him or her in achieving excellence in instruction. Probationary teachers with prior successful teaching experience may be exempt from this requirement with approval from the Superintendent. Probationary teachers shall be evaluated at least annually in accordance with policy GCM and GCN. The Superintendent shall consider such evaluations as one factor in making recommendations to the School Board regarding the employment of probationary teachers. If a probationary teacher’s evaluation is not satisfactory, the School Board shall not reemploy such teacher.
Any teacher hired on or after July 1, 2001, shall be required, as a condition of achieving continuing contract status, to have successfully completed training in instructional strategies and techniques for intervention for or remediation of students who fail or are at risk of failing the Standards of Learning assessments. Buena Vista City School Division will provide said training at no cost to teachers it employs. If such training is not offered in a timely manner, no teacher will be denied continuing contract status for failure to obtain such training.
Once a continuing contract status has been attained in a school division in this state, another probationary period need not be served unless such probationary period, not to exceed one year, is made a part of the contract of employment. If a teacher separates from service and returns to teaching service in Virginia public schools by the beginning of the third year, the person shall be required to begin a new probationary period, not to exceed one year, if made part of the contract.
If a teacher who has not achieved continuing contract status receives notice of re-employment, he must accept or reject in writing within 15 calendar days of receipt of the notice. Unless a conference with the Superintendent is requested as specified in the Code of Virginia, written notice of non-renewal of the contract must be given by the board on or before April 15 of each year. If the teacher requests a conference with the Superintendent, then written notice of non-renewal by the School Board must be given within thirty days after the Superintendent notifies the teacher of his intention with respect to the recommendation.
Teachers employed after completing the probationary period shall be entitled to continuing contracts during good behavior and competent service and prior to the age at which they are eligible or required to retire. A School Board may reduce the number of teachers, whether or not such teachers have reached continuing contract status, because of decrease in enrollment or abolition of particular subjects. Furthermore, nothing in the continuing contract shall be construed to authorize the School Board to contract for any financial obligation beyond the period for which funds have been made available.
As soon after April 15 as the school budget is approved by the appropriating body, the school board shall furnish each teacher a statement confirming continuation of employment, setting forth assignment and salary.
Within two weeks of the approval of the school budget by the appropriating body, but no later than June 1, the school board will notify any teacher who may be subject to a reduction in force due to a decrease in the school board’s budget as approved by the appropriating body.
Adopted: 01/27/03; 06/26/08
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Legal Refs: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-294, 22.1-303, 22.1-304. 8 VAC 20-440-10 et seq.
Cross Refs: GBM Staff Complaints and Grievances GCA Local Licenses for Teachers GCB Professional Staff Contracts and Compensation Plans GCN Evaluation of Professional Staff GCPA Reduction in Professional Staff Work Force GCPB Resignation of Professional Staff Members GCPD Professional Staff Members: Contract Status and Discipline
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