Bill > S350

This bill amends Section 42 of Chapter 71 of the General Laws to clarify the process for dismissing teachers who have achieved "professional teacher status," meaning they have met certain requirements and have greater job security. Specifically, it states that such teachers can only be dismissed for "just cause," which includes reasons like poor performance, inability to do the job, misconduct, or not meeting established performance standards. The bill also grants arbitrators, who may be involved in dismissal disputes, the authority to consider if the proven reasons for dismissal warrant a lesser disciplinary action, such as a warning or suspension, rather than outright termination, and to ensure the dismissal is fair based on existing agreements or practices. Finally, it clarifies that arbitrators' power to award remedies in dismissal cases is generally limited to what is already provided by law, with some exceptions.