SAANYS Supports S.4007-a/A.8346 – Shortened probationary period for previously tenured administrators & supervisors

Senate Bill 4007-a/A.8346 amends education law by allowing previously tenured principals, administrators, supervisors or other members of supervising staff of school districts, to be provided a shortened probationary period upon appointment by the board of education. S.4007-a/A.8346 amends four sections of education law to ensure that administrators in city school districts with less than 125,000 inhabitants, city school districts with 125,000 or more inhabitants, BOCES and school districts (including common school districts and those employing fewer than eight teachers) are eligible for a three-year probationary period. The bill would be effective on June 1, 2020 and will apply to administrators who begin a probationary period after such date.

The proposed bill would provide school administrators, transitioning to a new position, a reduced probationary period of three years, instead of the currently mandated four years. The proposed bill is specific to administrators who have been granted tenure in a previous school district, the current school district of employment, or a board of cooperative educational services. Currently, a three-year probationary period is allowable for teachers under similar situations. The proposed revision to the statute would provide equitable processes to school administrators.

The School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) supports this proposed amendment of the statute. Granting tenure to school administrators is a serious decision and awarded only after educators demonstrate high quality service. The proposed allowance of a three- year probationary period for previously tenured administrators transitioning to other positions is sound practice and is warranted as the pipeline for school leaders decreases. Reducing the current four year probationary period to three years could be an incentive for administrators to accept difficult and complex work in new settings.