Sec. 22. (a) A teacher may be suspended without pay only under the following procedure set forth in this section:

(1) The principal shall notify the teacher of the principal's preliminary decision. The notification must be:

(A) in writing; and

(B) delivered in person or mailed by registered or certified mail to the teacher at the teacher's last known address.

(2) The notice in subdivision (1) must include a written statement, subject to IC 5-14-3-4, giving the reasons for the preliminary decision.

(b) The notice required under subsection (a) must inform the teacher that, not later than five (5) days after the teacher's receipt of the notice, the teacher may request a private conference with the superintendent. The superintendent must set the requested meeting not later than ten (10) days after the request.

(c) At the conference between the superintendent and the teacher, the teacher may be accompanied by a representative.

(d) This subsection does not apply to the suspension of a superintendent. After the conference between the superintendent and the teacher, the superintendent shall make a written recommendation to the governing body of the school corporation regarding the teacher's suspension without pay.

(e) If the teacher does not request a conference under subsection (b), the principal's preliminary decision is considered final.

(f) If, not later than five (5) days after the initial private conference with the superintendent, the teacher files a request with the governing body for an additional private conference, the teacher is entitled to an additional private conference with the governing body before the governing body makes a final decision. The final decision must be in writing and must be made not more than thirty (30) days after the governing body receives the teacher's request for the additional private conference. At the private conference, the governing body shall do the following:

(1) Allow the teacher to present evidence to refute the reason or reasons for suspension without pay and supporting evidence provided by the school corporation. Any evidence presented at the private conference must have been exchanged by the parties at least seven (7) days before the private conference.

(2) Consider whether a preponderance of the evidence supports the teacher's suspension without pay.

(g) At the first public meeting following a private conference with:

(1) the governing body under subsection (f); or

(2) the superintendent under subsection (b), if no conference with the governing body is requested;

the governing body may suspend a teacher without pay for a reasonable time by a majority vote evidenced by a signed statement in the minutes of the board. The decision of the governing body is final.

(h) The time periods set out in this section shall be extended for a reasonable period:

(1) when a teacher or school official is ill or absent from the school corporation; or

(2) for other reasonable cause.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-6.1-5-15(c).]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.12. Amended by P.L.233-2015, SEC.217.