On July 19, 2011, Governor Snyder signed a package of four bills into law that, while commonly referred to as “Tenure Reform,” will have a significant effect on public schools in the areas of (1) teacher tenure, (2) evaluating personnel, and (3) collective bargaining. The scope and nature of the new Tenure Reform legislation gives rise to many yet unanswered questions.

The School Law Attorneys of Scholten Fant are presenting a seminar on Thursday, August 18, 2011, to provide information and guidance regarding the new Tenure Reform legislation, and an ample opportunity for questions will be available then as well. (Tenure Reform Seminar Registration Form) The topics to be addressed in the seminar will include, but not be limited to, the following.

Tenure Reform

• New “Arbitrary and Capricious” Standard 
• Revised Definition of “Demote”
• Changes to Probationary Period
• Leaves of Absence
• Procedural Changes

 Revised School Code Amendments

• Effectiveness Rules Over Seniority in Personnel Decisions and Reductions in Force
• Evaluations to Measure Effectiveness
• Governor’s Council on Educator Effectiveness
• Notice of Ineffective Teachers

 Collective Bargaining Reform: Seven New Prohibited Subjects of Bargaining

• Teacher Placement
• Reductions in Force / Elimination of Positions
• Performance Evaluations
• Discharge and Discipline of Tenured Personnel
• Classroom Observations
• Merit Pay
• Notice of Ineffective Teachers

The seminar will consist of two identical workshops held on August 18, 2011 at the Grand Haven Community Center, located at 421 Columbus Avenue. The same content will be covered in each workshop, allowing school administrators to attend either the morning or afternoon session based on what fits best with each administrator’s schedule. Registration for the morning Tenure Reform workshop begins at 8:00 a.m., with the workshop taking place between 8:30-11:30 a.m.  Registration for the afternoon Tenure Reform workshop begins at 12:30 p.m., with the workshop taking place between 1:00-4:00 p.m.

The workshops are offered at no charge for Scholten Fant retainer clients for up to two attendees.  The fee for additional attendees is $25 per person for retainer clients.  The fee for non-retainer attendees is $50 per person.  

A seminar registration form is available here (Tenure Reform Seminar Registration Form) or call 616-842-3030 and request a seminar registration form to be e-mailed to you.

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 28th, 2011 at 3:57 pm and is filed under General News, School Law.