Your legal rights and responsibilities begin the day you enter school and extend to your retirement — so you need to know them. Here are a few common questions and answers for new teachers.

What should I know about my contract?

Your contract is a legally binding document that obligates you and the school district that hired you. Before you sign it, pay close attention to:

  • Current placement (step plus hours) on salary schedule.
  • Salary amount, payment schedule, benefits (per existing board policy).
  • Board policy, especially provisions regarding early release.
  • Extra duties that may be required.

What should I know about probationary teachers and non-renewal?

A school board may decide not to renew a probationary teacher’s contract at the end of the school year for any reason or for no reason. The board must provide the teacher with written notice of its decision not to renew the probationary contract on or before April 15. A probationary teacher receiving proper notice of nonrenewal is not entitled to a due-process hearing.

A probationary teacher whom the school district desires to terminate during the school year is entitled under state law to minimal due process, including, in some cases, an opportunity to cure the deficiency or a hearing.

When do I achieve tenure?

Teachers ordinarily achieve tenure in a school district when they begin working on their sixth consecutive contract in the district. Part-time employees accrue tenure in proportion to their weekly hours.

School board policy: Can they do that?

Local school boards have broad discretion to establish policy (including salary and benefits policies) for their districts, and administrators have broad discretion in how they implement those policies. Few laws dictate how they should do their jobs.

However, the school board and the administration must comply with their own written board policies.  If board policy does not address the issue, the administrator may well be operating within his or her legal limits.

How do I report an act of violence, bullying or a threat?

Missouri has two easy ways that residents can report incidents of school violence. The Department of Social Services operates a hotline at 1-866-748-7047. The department also takes online reports through its Report It! form at schoolviolencehotline.com.

Information is collected and immediately relayed to the applicable law enforcement agency and school district. The website also has information, resources and promotional materials to help educators and families discuss school violence and bullying.

What should I do when there’s trouble?

1. Document, document, document. Any sign of trouble — an accident, confrontation with a colleague or parent, job target, threat of disciplinary action — should be documented at your first opportunity. Write it down. Who was involved or present as a witness? What happened? When and where did it occur? Why did you take the action you did or react in the manner you did? You may never need this information, but it will be there if you have to explain your action later.

2. Go through the chain of command. If you have a disagreement or problem with a co-worker or supervisor, address the issue first with the person directly. The goal is to resolve disputes at the lowest administrative level possible. Your credibility with the next-level administrator will be enhanced if you resist the urge to do an end-run around the chain of command.

3. Call the MSTA Legal Services Department to find out your rights in the situation and suggestions on the best course of action you may take to protect yourself.

The information contained here is for educational purposes only; it does not constitute legal advice, and its use does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have a confidential legal matter to discuss, please contact the Legal Services Department at 866-343-6186.

Keep on top of legal issues

Additional information regarding your employment rights and education-related legal issues can be found at www.msta.org/legal-services.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education also offers information about school laws, rules and regulations at dese.mo.gov/schoollaw.