ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
small school districts; substitute teachers
Purpose
Allows a school district governing board to employ a substitute teacher who is the spouse or immediate family of a governing board member and requires the governing board member to be recused from matters relating to substitute teachers.
Background
A school district employee, including a person who provides services as an employee of a third-party contractor, or the spouse of a school district employee may not serve on the governing board of the school district that employs the employee. A school district governing board may not employ a person who is a governing board member or a governing board member's spouse. Statutes governing public officer and employee conflicts of interest require the officers and employees of a political subdivision, including a school district, to disclose a substantial interest in any decision of a public agency and to refrain from participating in the decision as an officer or employee (A.R.S. §§ 15-421 and 38-501).
A small school district is a school district that: 1) has fewer than 600 students in kindergarten programs and grades 1 through 8 or grades 9 through 12; 2) contains at least one school that is fewer than 30 miles by the most reasonable route from another school that teaches at least one of the same grades and is operated by another school district; and 3) is designated as a small school district by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (A.R.S. § 15-901).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a small school district to employ a substitute teacher who is a school district governing board member's spouse or immediate family and who has had the same household of residence within the preceding four years.
2. Requires a governing board member who is related to a substitute teacher to be recused from voting on any matter relating to substitute teachers.
3. Specifies that the authorization includes employment through a third-party contractor that provides services to the district.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 6, 2023
LB/slp