SCS/HCS/HB 1469 - This act revises the law concerning teachers, principals and school districts.

TEACHER DECERTIFICATION - A teacher may be decertified after a charge has been filed by any school district, or by the Attorney General at the request of the school district if the school is financially stressed.

Charges filed with Board of Education shall be in writing, shall specify the basis for the charges, be signed by the chief administrative officer of the district or the president of the Board when authorized. At least 30 days notice of hearing must be provided, and the certificate holder may present witnesses.

A certificate shall be revoked or shall not be issued if the holder or applicant has pled guilty to or been found guilty of any of the following offenses: murder in the first degree or any dangerous felony defined in Section 556.061, RSMo; certain sexual offenses included in Chapter 566, RSMo, such as rape, sodomy, or child molestation; certain offenses against the family, including incest, abandonment of a child or endangering the welfare of a child; or certain offenses included in Chapter 573, RSMo, relating to child pornography and related offenses.

The Board of Education may refuse to issue or renew, or may suspend or revoke a certificate if the holder or applicant has pleaded to or been found guilty of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, whether or not the sentence is imposed.

The Commissioner of Education must be notified of an intent to appeal revocation within 30 days of guilty plea or finding of guilt to listed crime. Appeal shall be before a hearing officer designated by the Commissioner of Education; the final decision shall be made by Board of Education. Testimony of a minor child involved in complaint shall not be required, and the hearing officer shall accept a transcript of any previous testimony by the child admitted into evidence by a court.

A certificate holder may appeal any board decision to circuit court within 30 days after receipt of final decision of Board. The appeal shall be de novo. Either party may request it to be heard by a jury, unless a minor child is involved.

TEACHER CERTIFICATION - Out of state teachers may receive certification in this state if they have at least 5 years of full-time public school teaching experience, and hold a bachelor's degree and a current certificate from another state. In addition, the State Board shall issue a teaching certificate in the appropriate general and specialized areas for an applying out-of-state teacher who is recommended by a state-approved teacher preparation program; obtains the Missouri qualifying score on exit assessment for teachers or administrators; passes a background check; and has a valid certificate from another state. Similar provisions are contained in SB 609.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS - A school district may transfer operating funds to the capital projects fund in an amount based upon the actual amount of allowed transfer on June 30, 1995, which was not made (as determined by the extent to which the operating fund ending balances exceeded 8% of the expenditures from operating funds that year). A similar provision if contained in SB 685.

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS - Principal Tenure for principals in the St. Louis City school district is eliminated.
JOAN GUMMELS

HPA 1 - TECHNICAL AMENDMENT