78R3501 CAS-D

By:  Crownover                                                    H.B. No. 1254



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to good cause for termination of a public school teacher's 
employment contract.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 21.257, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
	(a-1)  In making a finding of fact concerning whether good 
cause exists for termination of a teacher's employment contract, 
the hearing examiner must consider any board policy consistent with 
this chapter concerning good cause for termination.
	SECTION 2.  Section 21.259(c), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	(c)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the
[The] board of trustees or board subcommittee may reject or change a 
finding of fact made by the hearing examiner only after reviewing 
the record of the proceedings before the hearing examiner and only 
if the finding of fact is not supported by substantial evidence.  
The board or board subcommittee may reject or change a finding of 
fact that good cause does not exist for termination of a teacher's 
employment contract if the finding of fact is contrary to any board 
policy consistent with this chapter concerning good cause for 
termination.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies only to a hearing under Subchapter F, Chapter 21, Education 
Code, that begins on or after that date.