N.Y.
Education Law Section 3012
Tenure: certain school districts
1.
(a) i. Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff of school districts, including common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers, other than city school districts, who are appointed prior to July first, two thousand fifteen, shall be appointed by the board of education, or the trustees of common school districts, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, for a probationary period of three years, except that in the case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory service as a regular substitute for a period of two years or as a seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in day schools who has served in that capacity for a period of two years and has been appointed to teach the same subject in day schools, on an annual salary, the probationary period shall be limited to one year; provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed on tenure in another school district within the state, the school district where currently employed, or a board of cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed from such district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision one of § 3020-A (Disciplinary procedures and penalties)section three thousand twenty-a of this article, the probationary period shall not exceed two years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education or the trustees of a common school district. ii. Teachers and all other members of the teaching staff of school districts, including common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers, other than city school districts, who are appointed on or after July first, two thousand fifteen, shall be appointed by the board of education, or the trustees of common school districts, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, for a probationary period of four years, except that in the case of a teacher who has rendered satisfactory service as a regular substitute for a period of up to two years or such teacher has rendered satisfactory service as a seasonally licensed per session teacher of swimming in day schools who has served in that capacity for a period of up to two years and has been appointed to teach the same subject in day schools, on an annual salary, the teacher shall be appointed for a probationary period of a minimum of two years, depending upon the length of the regular substitute service that shall shorten the length of the probationary period; provided, however, that in the case of a teacher who has been appointed on tenure in another school district within the state, the school district where currently employed, or a board of cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed from such district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision one of § 3020-A (Disciplinary procedures and penalties)section three thousand twenty-a of this article, the teacher shall be appointed for a probationary period of three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time during such probationary period, on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education or the trustees of a common school district.(b)
i. Principals, administrators, supervisors and all other members of the supervising staff of school districts, including common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers, other than city school districts, who are appointed prior to July first, two thousand fifteen, shall be appointed by the board of education, or the trustees of a common school district, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools for a probationary period of three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education or the trustees of a common school district. ii. Principals, administrators, supervisors and all other members of the supervising staff of school districts, including common school districts and/or school districts employing fewer than eight teachers, other than city school districts, who are appointed on or after July first, two thousand fifteen, shall be appointed by the board of education, or the trustees of a common school district, upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools for a probationary period of four years; provided, however, that in the case of a principal, administrator, supervisor, or other member of the supervising staff who has been appointed on tenure pursuant to this chapter as an administrator within an authorized administrative tenure area in another school district within the state, the school district where currently employed, or a board of cooperative educational services, and who was not dismissed from such district or board as a result of charges brought pursuant to subdivision one of § 3020-A (Disciplinary procedures and penalties)section three thousand twenty-a of this article, the principal, administrator, supervisor or other member of the supervising staff shall be appointed for a probationary period of three years. The service of a person appointed to any of such positions may be discontinued at any time during the probationary period on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, by a majority vote of the board of education or the trustees of a common school district.(c)
Any person previously appointed to tenure or a probationary period pursuant to the provisions of former § 3013 (Abolition of office or position)section three thousand thirteen of this article shall continue to hold such position and be governed by the provisions of this section notwithstanding any contrary provision of law.2.
(a) At the expiration of the probationary term of a person appointed for such term prior to July first, two thousand fifteen, subject to the conditions of this section, the superintendent of schools shall make a written report to the board of education or the trustees of a common school district recommending for appointment on tenure those persons who have been found competent, efficient and satisfactory. Such persons, and all others employed in the teaching service of the schools of such union free school district, common school district and/or school district employing fewer than eight teachers, who have served the probationary period as provided in this section, shall hold their respective positions during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and shall not be removed except for any of the following causes, after a hearing, as provided by § 3020-A (Disciplinary procedures and penalties)section three thousand twenty-a of this article:(i)
insubordination, immoral character or conduct unbecoming a teacher;(ii)
inefficiency, incompetency, physical or mental disability, or neglect of duty;(iii)
failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter and by the regulations of the commissioner. Each person who is not to be recommended for appointment on tenure, shall be so notified by the superintendent of schools in writing not later than sixty days immediately preceding the expiration of such person’s probationary period.(b)
At the expiration of the probationary term of a person appointed for such term on or after July first, two thousand fifteen, subject to the conditions of this section, the superintendent of schools shall make a written report to the board of education or the trustees of a common school district recommending for appointment on tenure those persons who have been found competent, efficient and satisfactory. Any person who has acquired tenure shall, upon such person’s effective tenure date, hold their position during good behavior and efficient and competent service, and shall not be removable except for cause after a hearing as provided by section three thousand twenty and section three thousand twenty-a of this article. Failure to maintain certification as required by this chapter and the regulations of the commissioner shall constitute cause for removal.3.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section no period in any school year for which there is no required service and/or for which no compensation is provided shall in any event constitute a break or suspension of probationary period or continuity of tenure rights of any of the persons hereinabove described.
Source:
Section 3012 — Tenure: certain school districts, https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/EDN/3012 (updated Jul. 5, 2024; accessed Jul. 20, 2024).
