(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking qualified applicants to establish a pool of potential teacher members and potential administrator members for those who wish to be part of its’ Teacher Disciplinary Tribunal.
Each tribunal will consist of a teacher member, an administrator member and a hearing officer (an attorney in good standing with the Kentucky Bar Association, licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, who has met the training requirements set forth in 40 KAR 5:010).
Per 701 KAR 5:090, the teacher and administrator positions require impartial members to “make the final determination on charges concerning a local school district’s proposal to discipline or place on involuntary leave a teacher if the teacher gives timely notice of his or her intent to answer the charges.”
The pools shall consist of no more than 20 potential teacher members and 20 administrator members selected by KDE using procedures developed for the receipt, review and selection of applicants.
Current or retired teachers interested in applying for the pool must: “(a) hold a valid teaching certificate issued by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and be in good standing, or (b) be retired and have held a teaching certificate issued by the EPSB that was not revoked or surrendered as a result of revocation proceedings.”
To become a member of the pool of potential administrator members, one must: “(a) hold a valid teaching certificate for the performance of administrative duties issued by the EPSB and be in good standing, or (b) be retired and have held a teaching certificate for the performance of administrative duties issued by the EPSB that was not revoked or surrendered as a result of revocation proceedings.”
To serve as a member of the pool of potential teacher tribunal members or potential administrator tribunal members, an individual must complete training approved by KDE on the following topics:
- The hearing process;
- The role of the tribunal;
- the role of the hearing officer;
- How to determine facts;
- Fundamental fairness,
- The law on teacher disciplinary actions set forth at KRS 161.790;
- The professional code of ethics for Kentucky school certified personnel set forth in 16 KAR 1:020; and
- The deliberative process.
An individual attending KDE approved training shall receive a per diem of $100 and reimbursement of travel expenses, if applicable. The local school district hosting each hearing shall advise the teacher and administrator tribunal member how to claim their per diem and travel expenses.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the pool of potential teacher members or potential administrator members, please download and fill out the Teacher Tribunal Application and send it to:
Teacher Tribunal Application
c/o Sara Bentley
Office of Legal Services
300 Sower Blvd., 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601
The deadline to apply is July 21, 2023. Mailed applications postmarked after July 21, 2023, will not be considered. KDE will accept applications by email to Sara.bentley@education.ky.gov. These must be sent no later than 5 p.m. on the application deadline. Applicants will be notified of whether they were selected for the pool of potential members on or before Aug. 4, 2023.
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