State lawmakers would do local school districts a favor if they cleaned up the rules regarding the appeals process for superintendents who believe they’ve been wrongfully released from their jobs.
Currently, the process is similar to any teacher or administrator who is removed for their position or has their employment contract non-renewed — a hearing before the school board.
In the case of teachers, custodians, principals and the like, the appeal to the school board makes a bit of sense. The theory being members of the board were probably not directly involved in the decision to part ways with the disgruntled employee.
In the case of school district superintendents, however, members of the school board almost certainly would be involved in the decision, short of a recent election or change in appointed board members.
The current system causes the former employee to have a hearing before the very people that caused their grief in the first place.
• The Natchez Democrat.
