Series 4000: District Employment

Professional Staff, Administrators/Supervisors, and the Superintendent, as defined in Policies 4401, 4501, and 4601, will be employed pursuant to an individual employment contract and any applicable collective bargaining agreement. Non-Exempt Staff, as defined in Policy 4301, will be employed at-will unless an applicable collective bargaining agreement or individual employment contract specifies another standard of employment security.

Employment contracts will comply with applicable laws and regulations. The President or Superintendent or designee, as applicable, should consult with Board legal counsel about contract terms and requirements to ensure compliance with state and federal law.

A. Authority

The President is authorized to execute the Superintendent's contract on behalf of the Board upon Board approval of the contract. Teacher contracts must be approved by the Board and signed on behalf of the District by a majority of the Board, the President and Secretary, or the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent is authorized to execute employment contracts for Non-Exempt Staff and temporary and substitute employees on the Board’s behalf or upon Board approval, where necessary.

B. General Requirements

Individual employment contracts required or permitted under this Policy may contain at least the following, as applicable to the category of employment:

1. employee name;
2. term of employment;
3. annual salary or hourly rate;
4. merit pay and annual evaluation for teachers and required administrator;
5. job title;
6. number of work days and general hours of work;
7. certification and licensing requirements;
8. benefits (health insurance, leave time, etc.);
9. reduction in force and recall;
10. discipline, discharge, and transfer during the contract term;
11. date and employee signature;
12. date and signature of authorized District representative; and
13. other terms as necessary to serve the District’s interests or that are legally required.

C. Specific Requirements

Professional Staff, Administrator, and Superintendent contracts must comply with the following, as applicable:

1. Superintendent

The contract term will not exceed 5 years, as required by Revised School Code Section 1229. 

2. Administrators

For Administrators subject to Revised School Code Section 1229, the contract term will not exceed 3 years and the contract will automatically terminate if the Administrator does not hold the required certification. The Administrator will not have tenure in the administrative position.

The Superintendent or designee will ensure that Administrator contracts are consistent with any applicable collective bargaining agreement. The term “Administrator” includes instructional Supervisors and Directors.

3. Non-Instructional Supervisors or Directors

Unless otherwise required by law, Non-Instructional Supervisors or Directors are not required to hold an Administrator certificate and may be subject to an individual employment contract for up to 3 years.

4. Professional Staff

The Superintendent or designee will ensure that all Professional Staff contracts are consistent with any applicable collective bargaining agreement. Individual teacher contracts will comply with Revised School Code Section 1231. If a teacher seeks appointment to an extracurricular position, the District may enter into a separate written contract for the extracurricular position.

D. Collective Bargaining Agreements

The Board, with the Superintendent or designee, will determine who will represent the Board in labor negotiations. The designated negotiator(s) may sign tentative agreements during bargaining; however, the final agreement is subject to ratification by the Board. Collective bargaining agreements may be reviewed by legal counsel before bargaining begins.

Legal authority: MCL 380.11a(3), 380.601a(1), 380.623(1)(b), 380.634, 380.1229, 380.1231, 380.1246

Date adopted: 08/09/2021

Date revised: