Common use of Reprimand of Professional Staff Clause in Contracts

Reprimand of Professional Staff. A. The Board of Education agrees and understands that each professional staff person shall have the opportunity to be accompanied and/or represented by a representative of his/her choice at any meeting in which disciplinary action against the employee is being discussed. For the purpose of this article, disciplinary action shall be deemed to mean written reprimand, suspension of assigned duties or contract termination. B. The meeting may be with the principal, immediate supervisor, Superintendent or Board of Education. C. Except in cases of urgent necessity, the Board further agrees that no employee will be reprimanded verbally or otherwise in the presence of any other employee, students, parents of students or any non-certificated employee. D. If the employee is unable to secure representation for a reprimand meeting scheduled for the same day, such meeting will not take place until the employee is given sufficient time to secure representation, provided that such meeting shall not be delayed longer than three (3) working days, unless mutually agreed to by the principal, immediate supervisor, Superintendent or Board of Education. E. A teacher will be issued a verbal warning prior to receiving a written reprimand for a similar offense; however, it is recognized that certain offenses are serious enough to warrant the issuance of a written reprimand without having first issued a verbal warning. It is understood that verbal warnings will also be documented and placed in an administrative log kept by the Superintendent, and shall include a brief description of the offense. Any discipline issued under this Article shall not be arbitrary or capricious and the teacher shall have the right to grieve warnings or reprimands based on fairness, accuracy, and timeliness.