Talking Points

This bill would increase the probationary term for every teacher before they could get a continuing contract and imparts additional restrictions on school boards from hiring teachers. It allows the dismissal of a teacher for “cause” to use “incompetency” to include failure to meet endorsement requirements for the position or an unsatisfactory performance evaluation. The bill also eliminates the option for the school board to conduct a teacher dismissal hearing before a three-member fact-finding panel and reduces the time school boards can set the hearing and notify the teacher. This will discourage rather than attract teachers and will make it harder for Virginia to retain teachers.

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