SB33 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Public K-12 education, employment of assistant superintendents, assistant chief school finance officers, and assistant principals by contract provided for local boards of education

Summary

SB33 lets local boards hire certain K-12 and higher-ed administrators on contract instead of tenure and creates a new framework (Assistant Administrator Accountability Act) to govern those contracts and related due-process protections.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes local boards to hire assistant superintendents, assistant chief school finance officers, and assistant principals on a contract basis for hires on or after July 1, 2024 (and applies to executive/administrative management at public two-year colleges). It creates the Assistant Administrator Accountability Act with definitions and rules for contract vs. non-contract roles, probationary periods, and renewal terms. It provides for performance evaluations, possible nonrenewal or cancellation for just cause, and a due-process path including expedited hearings and mediation. It also sets protections against retaliation, outlines how contracts can revert to tenure only with a local act, and specifies an effective date of July 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education (K-12) and participating employing boards of public two-year colleges: they would be authorized to hire certain key administrators on contract and must follow new contract-based governance rules.
• Individuals filling these contract-based roles (assistant superintendents, assistant chief school finance officers, assistant principals, and executive/administrative management staff): they would be hired under at least three-year contracts, undergo probationary periods, be evaluated, and face possible renewal, nonrenewal, or cancellation with due-process protections and potential expedited hearings.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes contract-based hiring for assistant superintendents, assistant chief school finance officers, and assistant principals in public K-12 schools hired on or after July 1, 2024, and for executive/administrative management at public two-year institutions.
• Creates the Assistant Administrator Accountability Act, defining contract vs. non-contract (assistant administrative officer vs. contract assistant administrative officer) and establishing related terms and roles.
• Initial contracts for contract personnel must be at least three years; renewal terms must be at least three years; cancellations must be for just cause and follow specified procedures.
• Probationary periods: up to one contract year (up to two years for first-time hires); after probation, boards decide on renewal or cancellation; if canceled, due process and hearings apply.
• Expedited nonjury evidentiary hearings are available for contract cancellations or nonrenewals, with the possibility of mediation if the court cannot complete the hearing in time; the board bears the burden of proof.
• Evaluation: annual performance evaluations; remedial plans may be used; failure to perform can lead to cancellation for cause or a new contract.
• Nonrenewal or cancellation requires written notice; decisions involve a majority vote by the employing board and may include a 90-day advance notice before the end of the current contract.
• Prohibits canceling, reducing, transferring, reprimanding, or disciplining a contract/assistance administrator officer for opposing employment actions; prohibits retaliation.
• If a contract or certificate is revoked, the contract is canceled; reversal may trigger reinstatement and back pay; other legal actions may still proceed.
• Duties: assistant and contract officers assist with daily operations, management of personnel and finances, and provide advisory recommendations; final authority remains with the chief executive officer.
• If an employee previously had continuing service status, there are provisions about relinquishing to contract status or reverting to prior status if allowed by local act; tenure reversion requires local legislative action.
• Section 3 requires executive and administrative management personnel at public two-year colleges to be hired on contract basis; Section 4 sets the effective date at July 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education