Employment Policies
A board shall adopt a policy providing for the employment and duties of district personnel. The policy shall provide that:
- A board employs and evaluates the superintendent;
- A superintendent has sole authority to make recommendations to a board regarding the selection of all personnel, except that the board may delegate final authority for those decisions to the superintendent [see Superintendent Recommendation, below];
- Each principal must approve each teacher or staff appointment to the principal's campus as provided by Education Code 11.202 [see DK and DP];
- Notice will be provided of vacant positions [see Posting of Vacancies, below]; and
- Each employee has the right to present grievances to the board. [See Grievances, below]
Education Code 11.1513
Tax Identifier
A board shall adopt a policy prohibiting the use of social security numbers as employee identifiers other than for tax purposes [see Social Security Numbers, below]. Education Code 11.1514 [See DBA]
Contract Positions
A board shall establish a policy designating specific positions of employment, or categories of positions based on considerations such as length of service, to which continuing contracts or term contracts apply. Education Code 21.002(c) [See DCB and DCC]
Delegation of Authority
A district's employment policy may specify the terms of district employment or delegate to the superintendent the authority to determine the terms of employment with the district. Education Code 11.1513(c) [For nepotism implications, see BBFB and DBE]
Availability
A district shall post on its internet website, if the district has a website, the employment policy adopted by the board under Education Code 11.1513(a) and the full text of any regulations referenced in the policy.
A district shall make available any forms referenced in its employment policy on an intranet website that is maintained by the district and accessible to district employees, or at a district administrative office designated by the district if the district does not maintain an intranet website.
Education Code 11.1513(k)
Internal Auditor
If a district employs an internal auditor, the board shall select the internal auditor and the internal auditor shall report directly to the board. Education Code 11.170 [See CFC]
Superintendent Recommendation
A board may accept or reject a superintendent's recommendation regarding the selection of district personnel and shall include the board's acceptance or rejection in the minutes of the board's open meeting, in the certified agenda or tape recording of a closed meeting, or in the recording required under Government Code 551.125 or 551.127, as applicable. If a board rejects a superintendent's recommendation, the superintendent shall make alternative recommendations until the board accepts a recommendation. Education Code 11.1513(b)
Posting of Vacancies
A district's employment policy must provide that not later than the tenth school day before the date on which a district fills a vacant position for which a certificate or license is required as provided by Education Code 21.003 [see DBA], other than a position that affects the safety and security of students as determined by the board, the district must provide to each current district employee:
- Notice of the position by posting the position on:
- A bulletin board at:
- A place convenient to the public in the district's central administrative office, and
- The central administrative office of each campus during any time the office is open; or
- The district's internet website, if the district has a website; and
- A reasonable opportunity to apply for the position.
Education Code 11.1513(d)
Exception
If, during the school year, a district must fill a vacant position held by a teacher, as defined by Education Code 21.201 [see DCB], in less than ten school days, the district must provide notice of the position in the manner described above as soon as possible after the vacancy occurs. However, a district is not required to provide the notice for ten school days before filling the position or to provide a reasonable opportunity to apply for the position. Education Code 11.1513(e)
Grievances
A district's employment policy must provide each employee with the right to present grievances to the board. The policy may not restrict the ability of an employee to communicate directly with a member of the board regarding a matter relating to the operation of a district, except that the policy may prohibit ex parte communication relating to:
- A hearing under Education Code Chapter 21, Subchapter E (Term Contracts) or F (Hearing Examiners); and
- Another appeal or hearing in which ex parte communication would be inappropriate pending a final decision by the board.
Education Code 11.1513(i)–(j) [See DGBA]
Transfers
A district's employment policy may include a provision for providing each current district employee with an opportunity to participate in a process for transferring to another school in or position with the district. Education Code 11.1513(c)(3) [See DK]
Contract Employees
A district shall employ each classroom teacher, principal, librarian, nurse, or school counselor under a probationary contract, a continuing contract, or a term contract. A district is not required to employ a person other than these listed employees under a probationary, continuing, or term contract. Education Code 21.002
Classroom Teacher
"Classroom teacher" means an educator who is employed by a district and who, not less than an average of four hours each day, teaches in an academic instructional setting or a career and technology instructional setting. The term does not include a teacher's aide or a full-time administrator. Education Code 5.001(2)
Minimum Length of Contract
A contract between a district and an educator must be for a minimum of ten months of service. An educator employed under a ten-month contract must provide a minimum of 187 days of service. Education Code 21.401(a), (b)
Proportionate Reduction
If a district anticipates providing less than 180 days of instruction for students during a school year, as indicated by the district's academic calendar, the district may reduce the number of days of service proportionately. A reduction by the district does not reduce an educator's salary. Education Code 21.401(c-1)
Commissioner Waiver
The commissioner of education may reduce the number of days of service if disaster, flood, extreme weather conditions, fuel curtailment, or another calamity causes the closing of schools. A reduction by the commissioner does not reduce an educator's salary. Education Code 21.401(c), 25.081(b)
Educational Aides
A board shall establish a plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides who show a willingness to become certified teachers. Education Code 54.363(f)
Employment of Retirees
Monthly Certified Statement
A district shall submit to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) a monthly certified statement of employment for all retirees employed by the district during each month of a school year. A district shall inform TRS of changes in status of the district that affect the district's reporting responsibilities.
Deadline
A district must submit the monthly certified statement and all required employer surcharges under 34 Administrative Code 31.3 (relating to Return-to-Work Employer Pension Surcharges) for each report month from September through July before the eleventh day of the month following the applicable report month. For the monthly certified statement for the report month of August, the employer shall submit the monthly certified statement and all required employer surcharges before the seventh day of September.
If the due date for submission of a monthly certified statement and required employer surcharges falls on a weekend or federal holiday, a district shall submit the monthly certified statement and required employer surcharges on the last business day prior to the due date.
Late Submissions
A district that fails to timely submit a monthly certified statement and all required employer surcharges must also pay all applicable interest and late fees. A district must pay to TRS the late fee established by rule for each business day that the monthly certified statement is past due.
Required Information
A monthly certified statement is not considered submitted to TRS until it is completed. To be complete, the monthly certified statement must include all the following information regarding a retiree employed by the employer during the report month:
- The number of hours and days worked by the retiree;
- Whether the retiree's employment qualifies as one or more of the following types:
- Substitute employment;
- One-half time or less employment;
- Employment as a tutor under Education Code 33.913;
- Employment in a federally funded COVID-19 personnel position that meets the requirements of Government Code 824.6021 and 34 Administrative Code 31.16 (relating to Federally Funded COVID-19 Personnel);
- Full-time employment;
- Trial employment of a disability retiree for up to three months; or
- Any combination of these types;
- The amount of gross compensation paid to the retiree during the report month;
- The total amount due under 34 Administrative Code 41.4 (relating to Employer Health Benefit Surcharge); and
- Any other information requested by TRS.
An administrator of a district who is responsible for filing the statement, and who knowingly fails to file the statement, commits an offense.
Gov't Code 824.6022, 825.403(k); 34 TAC 31.2
Former Board Member Employment
A board member is prohibited from accepting employment with the district until the first anniversary of the date the board member's membership on a board ends. Education Code 11.063 [See BBC]
New Hires
I-9 Forms
A district shall ensure that an employee properly completes section 1—''Employee Information and Verification''—on Form I-9 at the time of hire.
A district must verify employment eligibility, pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, and complete Form I-9 by the following dates:
- Within three business days of initial hiring. If a district hires an individual for employment for a duration of less than three business days, the district must verify employment at the time of hire. A district shall not be deemed to have hired an individual if the individual is continuing in his or her employment and has a reasonable expectation of employment at all times. When a district rehires an individual, the district may, in lieu of completing a new I-9, inspect a previously completed I-9 executed within three years of the date of rehire, to determine whether the individual is still eligible to work.
- For an individual whose employment authorization expires, not later than the date of expiration.
8 C.F.R. 274a.2(b)(1)(ii), (iii), (vii), (viii)
New Hire Reporting
A district shall furnish to the Directory of New Hires (Texas Attorney General's Office) a report that contains the name, address, and social security number of each newly hired employee. The report shall also contain a district's name, address, and employer identification number.
A district may also provide, at its option, the employee's date of hire, date of birth, expected salary or wages, and the district's payroll address for mailing of notice to withhold child support.
A district shall report new hire information on a Form W-4 or an equivalent form, by first class mail, telephonically, electronically, or by magnetic media, as determined by the district and in a format acceptable to the attorney general.
Deadline
New hire reports are due:
- Not later than 20 calendar days after the date a district hires the employee; or
- In the case of a district transmitting reports magnetically or electronically, by two monthly transmissions (if necessary) not less than 12 days nor more than 16 days apart.
New hire reports shall be considered timely if postmarked by the due date or, if filed electronically, upon receipt by the agency.
Penalties
A district that knowingly violates the new hire provisions may be liable for a civil penalty, as set forth at Family Code 234.105.
42 U.S.C. 653a(b), (c); Family Code 234.101–.105; 1 TAC 55, Subch. I
Donations for Supplemental Educational Staff
A district shall accept from a parent-teacher organization or association recognized by the district a donation designated to fund supplemental educational staff positions at a school campus and spend the donation accepted for the designated purpose at the direction of and within the time period specified by the school campus for which the donation was designated. This provision expires September 1, 2025. Education Code 11.156(c), (d)
Social Security Numbers
A board shall adopt a policy prohibiting the use of the social security number of an employee of the district as an employee identifier other than for tax purposes. Education Code 11.1514 [See DBA]
Federal Law
A district shall not deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of the individual's refusal to disclose his or her social security number.
Exceptions
The federal law does not apply to:
- Any disclosure that is required by federal statute. The United States Internal Revenue Code provides that the social security number issued to an individual for purposes of federal income tax laws shall be used as the identifying number for taxpayers;
- Any disclosure to a district maintaining a system of records in existence and operating before January 1, 1975, if such disclosure was required under statute or regulation adopted before such date to verify the identity of an individual; or
- Any use for the purposes of establishing the identity of individuals affected by any tax, general public assistance, driver's license, or motor vehicle registration law within a district's jurisdiction.
Statement of Uses
A district that requests disclosure of a social security number shall inform that individual whether the disclosure is mandatory or voluntary, by what statutory authority such number is solicited, and what uses will be made of it.
Privacy Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93-579, Sec. 7, 88 Stat. 1896, 1897 (1974)
Employment Assistance Prohibited
Federal Law
A district that receives Title I funds shall have regulations or policies that prohibit any individual who is a school employee, contractor, or agent, or a district, from assisting a school employee in obtaining a new job, apart from the routine transmission of administrative and personnel files, if the individual or district knows, or has probable cause to believe, that such school employee engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a minor or student in violation of the law.
This requirement shall not apply if the information giving rise to probable cause has been properly reported to a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the alleged misconduct; and has been properly reported to any other authorities as required by federal, state, or local law, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) and the implementing regulations under Part 106 of Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, or any succeeding regulations; and:
- The matter has been officially closed or the prosecutor or police with jurisdiction over the alleged misconduct has investigated the allegations and notified school officials that there is insufficient information to establish probable cause that the school employee engaged in sexual misconduct regarding a minor or student in violation of the law;
- The school employee has been charged with and acquitted or otherwise exonerated of the alleged misconduct; or
- The case or investigation remains open and there have been no charges filed against, or indictment of, the school employee within four years of the date on which the information was reported to a law enforcement agency.
20 U.S.C 7926 [See also CJ]
State Law
SBEC may suspend or revoke a certificate, impose other sanctions against the person, or refuse to issue a certificate to the person if:
- The person assists another person in obtaining employment at a school district, private school, or open-enrollment charter school, other than by the routine transmission of administrative and personnel files; and
- The person knew that the other person has previously engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor or student in violation of the law.
The commissioner may require a school district to revoke or decline to issue a school district teaching permit under Education Code 21.055 issued to or requested by a person subject to SBEC action above.
Education Code 21.0581; 19 TAC 249.15(b)(13)