SB310 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

J.T. WaggonerSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Del MarshTrip PittmanScott BeasonPhillip W. WilliamsGerald O. DialBryan TaylorTom WhatleyMark Slade Blackwell

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Education employees, procedures regarding employment actions of revised, Teacher Tenure Law and Fair Dismissal Act repealed, Students First Act, Sec. 16-24B-7, 16-24-1 to 16-24-22, inclusive, 36-26-100 to 36-26-116, inclusive, repealed (2011-20831)

Summary

SB310 creates the Students First Act to replace old tenure and dismissal rules and set a new staffing framework for Alabama education employees.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a new employment framework for teachers and classified staff in city and county boards of education, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Youth Services institutions, and two-year colleges, and repeals conflicting prior laws. Defines key terms (such as Chief Executive Officer, Classified Employee, Employee, Employer, Governing Board, and Teacher) and sets tenure timelines (three consecutive years for most teachers; six consecutive semesters for two-year colleges) along with probationary status rules. Creates due-process procedures for terminations, including written notices, hearings, and appeals with independent hearing officers and review by state education authorities, and outlines transfer and reassignment rules with hearing rights. Allows certain managerial actions (like leave and some pay changes) under specified conditions, clarifies how appeals work, and sets dates for when different provisions take effect.

Who It Affects

• Education employees (teachers and classified staff) who would gain new tenure timelines, probationary status rules, and due-process procedures for terminations, transfers, and appeals.
• Employers (city/county boards of education, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Department of Youth Services institutions, and two-year colleges) who must implement the new staffing framework, handle hearings, and manage transfers and other employment actions under the act.

Key Provisions

• Repeals conflicting statutes, including portions of the Teacher Tenure Law, the Fair Dismissal Act, and Section 16-24B-7 related to teacher transfers.
• Defines terms used in the act: Chief Executive Officer, Classified Employee, Employee, Employer, Governing Board, Professional Educator's Certificate, School Year, and Teacher.
• Tenure rules: teachers earn tenure after three consecutive school years (six consecutive semesters for two-year institutions), with specific credit and eligibility rules; probationary status timelines are established for both groups.
• Just-cause termination procedures: requires written notice, a hearing, and due-process protections; the governing board or president has quasi-judicial authority and must follow defined timelines.
• Appeals: employees can appeal decisions to the State Superintendent of Education or the Department of Postsecondary Education, with a panel of neutrals and a designated hearing officer process.
• Transfers and reassignments: detailed rules for voluntary and involuntary transfers and reassignments, including notice requirements and rights to hearings for tenured teachers and nonprobationary classified employees.
• Leave and absence: provides up to one year of leave for good cause (possible one-year extension) and military leave provisions.
• Effective dates: some sections take effect immediately; most provisions become effective July 1, 2011, with prior tenure or nonprobationary status recognized under the new act; pending actions under old law continue under their original statutes.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education