Hearings and Appeals General Information
General Information
The Office of General Counsel, Division of Hearings and Appeals has prepared general instructions by the type of appeal, sample formsÌýand a series of frequently asked questionsÌýabout filing an appeal with the Commissioner of Education.Ìý Please note the instructions and sample forms are only intended to serve as a guide and parties are not required to use the sample forms. ÌýParties are encouraged to consult an attorney before initiating an appeal to the Commissioner of Education.Ìý All filings submitted for an appeal should be submitted to the Division of Hearings and Appeals.
7.057 Appeal
If you filed a parent/student, or educator grievance with the school board and a final school board decision has been made, you may file an appeal in writing to the Commissioner of Education if the decision violates the school laws of this state or a provision of a written employment contract.Ìý Please refer to 7.057 Appeals for more information.
Ch. 21 Appeal
EducatorsÌýwho received a school board's decision not to renew theÌýeducator's term contract; to terminate a continuing or term contract ; to terminateÌýa probationary contract at the end of the contract's term;Ìýor decision to suspend without pay a probationary, term, or continuing contractÌýmay file an appeal in writing to the Commissioner of Education.Ìý Please refer to Ch. 21 Appeal page for more information.
Hearings Before an Independent Hearing Examiners
Educators who received notice of the proposed decision to terminate the educator's continuing contract at any time; to terminate or nonrenew a term contract;Ìýto terminate the educator's probationaryÌýcontract before the end of the contract period; or suspend a term or continuing contract without payÌýmayÌýrequest the assignment of an Independent Hearing Examiner.Ìý In some circumstances, a school district can decide to hear the nonrenewal of a term contract by a method other than using an Independent Hearing Examiner.Ìý Please refer to Hearings Before an Independent Hearing ExaminersÌýfor more information.
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For questions, please contact Christina Eischens, Office of the General Counsel, Division of Hearings and AppealsÌýat Christina.Eischens@tea.texas.gov or (512) 463-0489.