KRS § 161.720 — KY Code / Title XIII / Chapter 161 / Section 161.720
161.720 Definitions for teachers' tenure law
Status: in_force

161.720 Definitions for teachers' tenure law.

(1) The term "teacher" for the purpose of KRS 161.730 to 161.810 shall mean any

person for whom certification is required as a basis of employment in the public

schools of the state, with the exception of the superintendent.

(2) The term "year" as applied to terms of service means actual service of not less than

seven (7) school months within a school year; provided, however, that any board of

education may grant a leave of absence for professional advancement or military

leave for active duty service with full credit for service.

(3) The term "limited contract" shall mean a contract for the employment of a teacher

for a term of one (1) year only or for that portion of the school year that remains at

the time of employment.

(4) The term "continuing service contract" shall mean a contract for the employment of

a teacher which shall remain in full force and effect until:

(a) The teacher resigns or retires;

(b) The contract is terminated or suspended as provided in KRS 161.790 and

161.800; or

(c) For contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2019, the teacher begins

employment in a district-level administrative position in a county school

district in a county with a consolidated local government adopted under KRS

Chapter 67C. For purposes of this section and KRS 161.730 to 161.810,

"district-level administrative position" means an administrative position in a

local school district that has administrative-level duties and responsibilities

that are not limited to one (1) school in the district.

(5) The term "continuing status" means employment of a teacher under a continuing

contract.

(6) The term "standard" or "college" certificate for the purpose of KRS 161.730 to

161.810 shall mean any certificate issued upon the basis of graduation from a

standard four (4) year college or completion of a local district alternative

certification training program.

(7) The term "superintendent" for the purpose of KRS 161.765 shall mean the school

officer appointed by a board of education under the authority of KRS 160.350 or

any person authorized by law to perform the duties of that officer.

(8) The term "administrator" for the purpose of KRS 161.765 shall mean a certified

employee, below the rank of superintendent, who devotes the majority of his or her

employed time to service as a principal, assistant principal, supervisor, coordinator,

director, assistant director, administrative assistant, finance officer, pupil personnel

worker, guidance counselor, school psychologist, or school business administrator.

The term "administrator" shall also include those assistant, associate, or deputy

superintendents who do not fall within the definition of "superintendent" as set forth

in subsection (7) of this section.

(9) The terms "demote" or "demotion" for the purpose of KRS 161.765 shall mean a

reduction in rank from one (1) position on the school district salary schedule to a

different position on that schedule for which a lower salary is paid. The terms shall

not include lateral transfers to positions of similar rank and pay or minor alterations

in pay increments required by the salary schedule.