78R7749 CAS-D

By:  Wong                                                         H.B. No. 2102



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to sabbaticals for experienced public school teachers.               
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 21.414 to read as follows:
	Sec. 21.414.  SABBATICALS FOR EXPERIENCED TEACHERS.  (a)  
The board of trustees of a school district, in accordance with 
district policy adopted for the purpose, may grant to a teacher 
employed by the district a sabbatical for a period not to exceed six 
months.
	(b)  To be eligible for a sabbatical under this section, a 
teacher must:
		(1)  have at least 20 years of experience as a teacher; 
and          
		(2)  meet other eligibility requirements established 
by the board of trustees as part of the school district's sabbatical 
policy.
	(c)  During the period a teacher is on a sabbatical granted 
under this section, an administrator employed by the district shall 
teach each class that would otherwise be taught by the teacher who 
is on sabbatical.
	(d)  The board of trustees granting a sabbatical under this 
section may pay the cost of the sabbatical from any federal funds or 
funds donated to the school district that may be used for that 
purpose.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.