701 KAR 5:090.
Teacher disciplinary hearings.
RELATES TO: KRS
161.770, 161.790
STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: KRS 156.070, 161.790(4)
NECESSITY,
FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 161.790(4) requires the commissioner of education
to appoint an impartial three (3) member tribunal to conduct an administrative
hearing and make the final determination on charges concerning a local school
district's proposal to discipline or place on involuntary leave a teacher if
the teacher gives timely notice of his intent to answer the charges. This
administrative regulation establishes administrative and hearing procedures
with respect to the tribunal process and identifies the required training for
tribunal members designated to serve as tribunal members on an ongoing basis.
Section 1. A
local school district superintendent proposing to discipline (except for a
private reprimand) or place on involuntary leave a teacher shall immediately,
after notice to the employee, transmit a copy of the notice of the action to
the commissioner of education, along with advice as to the date of the receipt
of the notice by the employee.
Section 2.
Continuances. (1)(a) If, after a requested hearing has been scheduled by the
commissioner of education or his designee, a continuance is requested by the
teacher, the teacher shall specifically and in writing waive the statutory
hearing deadlines and any subsequent backpay award for the period of the
requested continuance. A continuance initiated by the teacher shall not be
granted without the appropriate waiver.
(b) If the
continuance request was initiated by the school district, a waiver shall not be
required.
(2) A
continuance requested by the teacher may be granted for good cause shown,
including pending criminal charges making it inadvisable for the employee to
testify at an administrative hearing or late entry of an attorney into the case
on behalf of the employee.
(3) A
continuance requested by the school district, and not agreed to by the
employee, may be granted upon documentation of an emergency or other
circumstance making it impossible or prejudicially impractical for the district
to adequately present its case at the scheduled hearing.
(4) A request
for continuance made prior to the three (3) member tribunal convening shall be
submitted in writing to the hearing officer.
Section 3. (1) To be a member of the
pool of potential tribunal members who is designated to serve as a tribunal
member on an ongoing basis, a person shall receive training on the following
topics:
(a) The hearing process;
(b) The role of the tribunal;
(c) The role of the hearing officer;
(d) How to determine facts;
(e) Fundamental fairness;
(f) The law on teacher disciplinary
actions (KRS 161.790); and
(g) The deliberative process.
(2) For attending training to become a
member of the pool of potential tribunal members, a person shall receive a per
diem of $100 and reimbursement of travel expenses from the Department of
Education.
Section 4. (1)
The local school district shall pay all travel expenses of the hearing officer.
(2) No later
than the convening of the hearing, the local school district shall advise the
tribunal members how to claim their per diem and travel expenses.
Section 5. A
hearing before the tribunal shall be conducted in accordance with KRS Chapter
13B.
Section 6. (1)
If, for any reason and after testimony has commenced, a tribunal member becomes
unavailable to complete the hearing of the evidence of both parties, an
appropriate substitute tribunal member shall be appointed by the commissioner of
education and provided by the school district with a written transcript of all
prior proceedings at the hearing unless waived under subsection (2) of this
section.
(2) A hearing
may be concluded and a decision rendered by a two (2) member tribunal upon
express agreement of both parties. (18 Ky.R. 217; eff.
9-6-91; Am. 23 Ky.R. 1425; 2466; eff. 12-5-96; 29 Ky.R. 805; 1271; eff.
11-12-2002.)