reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-505 - Discipline; educator information system; personnel list; definitions

15-505.
Discipline;  educator information system;  personnel list;  definitions
A. Pursuant to the rules and procedures adopted pursuant to section 15-203,  the state board of education shall investigate written complaints alleging that a noncertificated person has engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct.
B. The state board of education may review a complaint and determine whether to take disciplinary action against a noncertificated person who has engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct,  including prohibiting the person's employment at a school district or charter school for up to five years except as otherwise prescribed in section 15-550. The state board shall adopt rules and procedures for disciplinary action of noncertificated persons that are substantially similar to the rules and procedures for certificated persons.
C. Before employing a certificated or noncertificated person,  school districts and charter schools shall conduct a search of the prospective employee on the educator information system that is maintained by the department of education.
D. A school district or charter school may not employ either of the following in a position that requires a valid fingerprint clearance card:
1. A certificated person whose certificate has been suspended,  surrendered or revoked,  unless the state board of education has subsequently reinstated the person's certificate.
2. A noncertificated person who has been prohibited from employment at a school district or charter school by the state board of education pursuant to subsection B of this section.
E. Each school district and charter school shall annually submit to the department of education a list of certificated and noncertificated persons who are employed at the school district or charter school. The department shall issue guidance to school districts and charter schools regarding this subsection.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. " Noncertificated person" :
(a) Means a school district or charter school employee who both:
(i) Does not possess a certificate issued pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education under section 15-203,  subsection A,  paragraph 14.
(ii) Is required or allowed to provide services directly to pupils without being supervised by a certificated employee.
(b) Does not include a person who does not hold a certificate and who is one of the following at a school district or charter school:
(i) A transportation employee as defined in section 15-513.
(ii) A food service employee or contractor.
(iii) A maintenance worker.
(iv) An employee or contractor of the school district or charter school that is not required to possess a valid fingerprint clearance card.
2. " Supervised"  means being under the direction of and,  except for brief periods of time during a school day or school activity,  within sight of a certificated employee when providing direct services to pupils.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-506 - Flag, Constitution and Bill of Rights display; recitation of pledge of allegiance; moment of silence; exemption

15-506.
Flag,  Constitution and Bill of Rights display;  recitation of pledge of allegiance;  moment of silence;  exemption
A. School districts and charter schools shall:
1. Acquire United States flags that are manufactured in the United States and that are at least two feet by three feet and hardware to appropriately display the United States flags.
2. For grades seven through twelve,  acquire a legible copy of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights that is manufactured in the United States.
3. Display the flags in accordance with title 4 of the United States Code in each classroom and on or near the outside of the school building during school hours and at such other times as the school authorities direct.
4. For grades seven through twelve,  place a legible copy of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights adjacent to each classroom flag.
5. Set aside a specific time each day for students who wish to recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
6. For kindergarten programs and grades one through twelve,  set aside at least one minute but not more than two minutes at the beginning of each school day for students to engage in a moment of silence during which students may not interfere with other students' participation. A teacher or other school employee may not suggest the nature of any reflection in which a student may engage during the moment of silence. Each teacher of a class in which a moment of silence occurs pursuant to this paragraph shall encourage parents of students in the class to discuss with their children how to best use the moment of silence required by this paragraph.
B. Private schools,  parochial schools and homeschools are exempt from this section.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-508 - Dismissal for failure to comply with certain laws

15-508.
Dismissal for failure to comply with certain laws
Wilful neglect or failure on the part of a school superintendent,  principal,  teacher or other officer of a school to observe and carry out the requirements of sections 15-532 and 15-710 is sufficient cause for dismissal or removal of such person from his position,  and the superintendent of public instruction shall make necessary arrangements for carrying out the provisions of this section.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-510 - Authorization of leaves of absence; application; preservation of rights

15-510.
Authorization of leaves of absence;  application;  preservation of rights
A. The governing board may authorize leaves of absence for school district personnel when it deems such leaves of absence to be reasonable and for good cause and not detrimental to education within the school district.
B. Leaves of absence shall be limited to a period of not to exceed one year.
C. Leaves of absence shall be granted upon application stating the purpose of the leave of absence,  the facts as to its necessity or advisability and other information helpful to the governing board in making a determination as to whether the leave should be granted.
D. Sabbatical leaves of absence may be granted by the governing board to certificated teachers and administrators under this section upon the following additional conditions for the following purposes only:
1. Sabbatical leave of absence may be granted only for the purposes of continuing professional education.
2. Sabbatical leave may not exceed a period of one year and may only be granted to a certificated teacher or an administrator who has been employed by the school district for a period of seven consecutive years immediately prior to the time the sabbatical leave is to commence,  and who has not previously been granted a sabbatical leave of absence by the governing board.
3. The governing board may authorize a salary to be paid to the person to whom sabbatical leave is granted of not to exceed one-half of the salary then received by him.
4. The salary shall be paid to such person upon the condition that he shall return not later than one year after commencement of the sabbatical leave for renewal of employment for at least one school year,  and unless he returns within such period,  he shall repay to the school district the amount paid to him during the leave period,  and,  unless such amount is so paid,  the governing board shall direct the county attorney to institute suit against such person to collect such amount.
E. If leave is granted,  all rights prescribed in sections 15-538.01,  15-539 through 15-544 and 15-547 for certificated teachers who have been employed by the school district for more than the major portion of three consecutive school years and all rights of retirement,  accrued leave with pay,  salary increments and other benefits provided by law shall be preserved and available to the employee after the termination of the leave of absence.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-514 - Immoral or unprofessional conduct; duty to report; immunity; definition

15-514.
Immoral or unprofessional conduct;  duty to report;  immunity;  definition
A. Any certificated or noncertificated person or governing board member who reasonably suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the state board of education or a noncertificated person has engaged in conduct involving minors that would be subject to the reporting requirements of section 13-3620 shall report or cause reports to be made to the state board of education in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable but not later than three business days after the person first suspects or receives an allegation of the conduct.
B. The superintendent of a school district or the chief administrator of a charter school who reasonably suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that an act of immoral or unprofessional conduct that would constitute grounds for dismissal or criminal charges by a certificated or noncertificated person has occurred shall report the conduct to the state board of education.
C. A person who in good faith reports or provides information pursuant to this section regarding the immoral or unprofessional conduct of a certificated or noncertificated person is not subject to an action for civil damages as a result.
D. A governing board or school or school district employee who has control over personnel decisions shall not take unlawful reprisal against an employee because the employee reports in good faith information as required by this section. For the purposes of this subsection,  " unlawful reprisal"  means an action that is taken by a governing board as a direct result of a lawful report pursuant to this section and,  with respect to the employee,  results in one or more of the following:
1. Disciplinary action.
2. Transfer or reassignment.
3. Suspension,  demotion or dismissal.
4. An unfavorable performance evaluation.
5. Other significant changes in duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the employee's salary or employment classification.
E. Failure to report information as required by this section by a certificated or noncertificated person constitutes grounds for disciplinary action by the state board of education.
F. A governing board or school district employee who has control over personnel decisions and who reasonably suspects or receives a reasonable allegation that a person certificated by the state board of education or a noncertificated person has engaged in conduct involving minors that would be subject to the reporting requirements of section 13-3620 and this article shall not accept the resignation of the certificate holder or noncertificated person until these suspicions or allegations have been reported to the state board of education.
G. For the purposes of this section,  " noncertificated person"  has the same meaning prescribed in section 15-505.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-515 - Duty to report violations occurring on school premises

15-515.
Duty to report violations occurring on school premises
All school personnel who observe a violation of section 13-3102,  subsection A,  paragraph 12 or section 13-3111 on school premises shall immediately report the violation to the school administrator. The administrator shall immediately report the violation to a peace officer. The peace officer shall report this violation to the department of public safety for inclusion in the statewide and federal uniform crime reports prescribed in section 41-1750,  subsection A,  paragraph 2.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-531 - Fees

15-531.
Fees
A. The state board of education may fix and collect fees for:
1. The issuance and evaluation,  singly or both,  of any provisional,  basic or standard teaching certificate,  any administrative,  specialized service,  nurse,  career and technical education,  vocational education or substitute certificate,  special subject endorsements including guidance counselor,  art,  music,  physical education,  industrial arts,  librarian or driver training,  and one-year and multiyear certificates including adult education,  emergency or intern certificates,  not less than twenty dollars and not more than thirty dollars.
2. The renewal and evaluation,  singly or both,  of any certificate,  name changes,  duplicates or changes of coding to existing files or certificates,  not less than ten dollars and not more than twenty dollars.
3. The administration and evaluation of the examination on the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona. Fees for the examination on the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona shall not exceed the fees assessed by the test publisher.
4. The administration and evaluation of the proficiency examination for applicants for teaching certificates. Fees for the proficiency examination shall not exceed the fees assessed by the test publisher.
B. The department of education,  in collecting the fees authorized by this section,  may impose a convenience fee for transactions conducted using a credit or debit card or other means of electronic payment. The convenience fee shall be assessed on a per transaction basis. Pursuant to section 35-142,  subsections K and R,  the department shall continue to accept methods of payment that are not subject to a convenience fee.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-531.01 - Certification expiration; military service; one year extension

15-531.01.
Certification expiration;  military service;  one year extension
A. A certificate issued pursuant to this article to any member of the Arizona national guard or the United States armed forces reserves shall not expire while the member is serving on federal active duty and shall be extended one year after the member returns from federal active duty,  provided that the member,  or the legal representative of the member,  notifies the state board of education of the federal active duty status of the member. A certificate issued pursuant to this article to any member serving in the regular component of the United States armed forces shall be extended one year from the date of expiration,  provided that the member,  or the legal representative of the member,  notifies the state board of education of the federal active duty status of the member.
B. A certificate issued pursuant to this article to any member of the Arizona national guard,  the United States armed forces reserves or the regular component of the United States armed forces shall not expire and shall be extended one year from the date the military member is able to perform activities necessary under the certificate if the member both:
1. Is released from active duty service.
2. Suffers an injury as a result of active duty service that temporarily prevents the member from being able to perform activities necessary under the certificate.
C. If the certificate is renewed during the applicable extended time period,  the member is responsible only for normal fees and activities,  including maintaining a valid fingerprint clearance card,  relating to renewal of the certificate and shall not be charged any additional costs such as late fees or delinquency fees.
D. The member,  or the legal representative of the member,  shall present to the state board of education a copy of the member's official military orders,  a redacted military identification card or a written verification from the member's commanding officer before the end of the applicable extended time period in order to qualify for the extension.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-532 - Examination on state and United States constitutions; reciprocity requirement; exemption; intergovernmental agreement or contract for administration and evaluation

15-532.
Examination on state and United States constitutions;  reciprocity requirement;  exemption;  intergovernmental agreement or contract for administration and evaluation
A. A person who is applying for a certificate authorizing the person to become a teacher in a school,  in addition to fingerprinting and other requirements,  shall either complete the required classes or pass a satisfactory examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona.
B. A person who has not met the requirements of this section at the time application is made but who has met all other requirements shall be granted a certificate for at least three years,  except that a person who has not met the requirements of this section but who has met all other requirements and who applies for a certificate authorizing the person to teach an academic course that focuses predominantly on history,  government,  social studies,  citizenship,  law or civics shall be granted a certificate for not more than one year. No additional certificate may be granted until all requirements have been fulfilled as provided by the regulations of the state board of education governing certification of teachers. A person who is applying for reciprocity pursuant to section 15-203,  subsection A,  paragraph 27 shall be issued a standard certificate and demonstrate completion of the requirements pursuant to the timelines established in this section. The department of education or state board of education may temporarily suspend the standard certificate of a person who fails to meet the requirements of this section within the prescribed time frames. A certificate that is temporarily suspended pursuant to this subsection is not considered a disciplinary action and a person shall be allowed to correct the deficiency within the remaining time of the standard certification.
C. A noncertified person,  qualified under the federal and state plans for vocational education,  shall be exempt from this section for the purpose of acting as an instructor for special adult and evening classes.
D. The state board of education may enter into intergovernmental agreements or contracts pursuant to title 11,  chapter 7,  article 3 for the administration and evaluation of the examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona. Notwithstanding section 15-531,  the intergovernmental agreement or contract shall specify the fee for the administration and evaluation of the examination and may provide for the retention of all or part of the monies by the contractor administering and evaluating the examination.
E. A university under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents shall offer the classes required by this section to students who are pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in education or a bachelor of science degree in education at that university.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-534.01 - Withdrawal of applications for administrative deficiencies; denial of applications for substantive deficiencies; certification time frames

15-534.01.
Withdrawal of applications for administrative deficiencies;  denial of applications for substantive deficiencies;  certification time frames
A. If an application for certification is administratively incomplete,  as prescribed in title 41,  chapter 6,  article 7.1,  the department of education shall issue a written notice requesting the applicant to supply missing documents or other information. The department of education shall consider an application for certification withdrawn if,  within sixty days after the date of the notice,  the applicant does not supply the documentation or information requested or does not provide reasonable documented justification for the delay. On receipt of documented justification,  the department of education shall provide an additional thirty days for the requested documentation or information to be provided before considering an application withdrawn.
B. If an application for certification is substantively incomplete,  as prescribed in title 41,  chapter 6,  article 7.1,  the department of education may issue a written notice requesting the applicant to supply additional documents or other information. The department of education shall deny an application for certification if,  within sixty days after the date of the notice,  the applicant does not supply the documentation or information requested.
C. If the final day of a deadline imposed by this section falls on a Saturday,  Sunday or other legal holiday,  the next business day is the final day of the deadline.
D. A notice of denial of an application for certification issued by the department of education pursuant to subsection B of this section shall comply with section 41-1076.
E. A person who has had an application for certification denied by the department of education pursuant to subsection B of this section may file a written request for a hearing with the state board of education within fifteen days after receiving the notice of denial. The appeal shall be conducted in accordance with title 41,  chapter 6,  article 6.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-534.02 - Restrictions on applications for certification after the surrender, revocation or denial of certificate; definition

15-534.02.
Restrictions on applications for certification after the surrender,  revocation or denial of certificate;  definition
A. A person shall not submit an application for certification with the state board of education for a period of five years if any of the following occurs:
1. The person surrenders a certificate issued by the state board of education.
2. The person's certificate is revoked by the state board of education on grounds of immoral or unprofessional conduct pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-203.
3. The state board of education prohibits a noncertificated person from employment in a school district or charter school as described in section 15-505 for a period of five years.
B. If a person's application for certification is denied by the state board of education on grounds of immoral or unprofessional conduct pursuant to rules adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-203,  the state board of education shall determine that the person is prohibited from submitting an application for certification for a specified period up to five years.
C. The periods of time prescribed in subsections A and B of this section begin on the date that the state board of education accepts a surrendered certificate,  makes a final decision to revoke a certificate or makes a final determination to deny an application for certification.
D. A person against whom the state board of education has taken disciplinary action pursuant to section 15-550 is not eligible to apply for certification with the state board of education.
E. The department of education shall not process an application for certification submitted by a person who is prohibited from submitting an application pursuant to subsection A,  B or D of this section.
F. For the purposes of this section,  " noncertificated person"  has the same meaning prescribed in section 15-505.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-534.03 - Service of documents; change of address notice requirement

15-534.03.
Service of documents;  change of address notice requirement
A. Every notice or decision issued by the state board of education pertaining to the denial of an application for initial certification or renewal of a certificate or pertaining to disciplinary action against a certificated person shall be served by personal delivery or certified mail,  return receipt requested,  to the applicant or certificated person's last address of record with the department of education or by any other method that is reasonably calculated to give actual notice to the applicant or the certificated person.
B. Each applicant or certificated person shall inform the department of education of any change of address within thirty days of the change of address.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-534.04 - Reciprocal discipline; definition

15-534.04.
Reciprocal discipline;  definition
A. A final adjudication or judgment in another jurisdiction that a certificated or noncertificated person has engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct shall be treated as immoral or unprofessional conduct for the purposes of any disciplinary proceeding conducted against that person in this state.
B. An applicant for certification who has been disciplined in another jurisdiction for immoral or unprofessional conduct shall successfully complete the disciplinary process in that jurisdiction before that person may apply for certification in this state.
C. After receiving notification that a person's educator certificate has been revoked in another jurisdiction,  the state board of education may revoke all certificates issued in this state to that person in a manner that is consistent with the terms of revocation in the other jurisdiction,  unless that person requests a hearing pursuant to title 41,  chapter 6,  article 6. After conducting a hearing requested pursuant to this subsection,  the state board of education shall determine whether to uphold the revocation or to decline the revocation.
D. For the purposes of this section,  " noncertificated person"  has the same meaning prescribed in section 15-505.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-535 - Sectarian instruction prohibited

15-535.
Sectarian instruction prohibited
A teacher who uses sectarian or denominational books or teaches any sectarian doctrine or conducts any religious exercises in school is guilty of unprofessional conduct and his certificate shall be revoked. This section shall not be construed to prohibit a teacher from teaching the elective course permitted by section 15-717.01.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-537.01 - Posting of best practices for teacher and principal evaluation systems

15-537.01.
Posting of best practices for teacher and principal evaluation systems
A. On or before September 15,  2012,  the department of education shall identify and prominently post on the website maintained by the department the best practices for the implementation and assessment of principal and teacher evaluation systems.
B. The best practices posted by the department of education pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be from at least the following public schools in this state:
1. One large school district located in a county with a population of at least eight hundred thousand persons.
2. One small school district located in a county with a population of at least eight hundred thousand persons.
3. One school district located in a county with a population of fewer than eight hundred thousand persons.
4. One charter school.
C. The best practices posted by the department of education pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include detailed information on the following:
1. The implementation process for teacher and principal evaluation systems.
2. The evaluation weightings.
3. The types of qualitative and quantitative elements used.
4. The methods in which the evaluations guide professional development.
5. The types of decisions for which the evaluations are used.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-538 - Preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance; performance improvement plan; adoption of definition

15-538.
Preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance;  performance improvement plan;  adoption of definition
A. The governing board of any school district shall give any certificated teacher notice of intention to dismiss or not to reemploy if such intention is based on charges of inadequacy of classroom performance. The governing board or its authorized representative,  at least forty-five instructional days before such notice,  shall give the teacher written preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance,  specifying the nature thereof with such particularity as to furnish the teacher an opportunity to correct inadequacies and maintain adequate classroom performance as defined by the governing board pursuant to section 15-538,  subsection C. A notice of the governing board's intention to dismiss or not to reemploy for inadequacy of classroom performance shall not be issued until the district has completed an observation at the conclusion of a performance improvement plan issued pursuant to subsection B. The governing board may delegate to employees of the governing board the general authority to issue preliminary notices of inadequacy of classroom performance to teachers pursuant to this section without the need for prior approval of each notice by the governing board. In all cases in which an employee of the governing board issues a preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance without prior approval by the governing board,  the employee shall report its issuance to the governing board within ten school days. The written notice of intention to dismiss or not to reemploy shall include a copy of any valid evaluation pertinent to the charges made.
B. The preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance shall be accompanied by a performance improvement plan designed to help the teacher correct inadequacies and demonstrate adequate classroom performance.
C. The governing board shall adopt a definition of inadequacy of classroom performance that aligns with the performance classifications. The governing board's definition may set standards that exceed the standards of the performance classifications and applies to notices issued pursuant to sections 15-536 and 15-537 and this section. The governing board shall develop its definition of inadequacy of classroom performance in consultation with its certificated teachers. The consultation may be accomplished by holding a public hearing,  forming an advisory committee or providing teachers the opportunity to respond to a proposed definition.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-538.01 - Offer of contract to continuing teacher; definition

15-538.01.
Offer of contract to continuing teacher;  definition
A. The governing board shall offer to each continuing teacher a contract renewal for the next ensuing school year unless the governing board,  a member of the board acting on behalf of the board or the superintendent of the school district gives notice to the teacher of the board's intent not to offer a contract and to dismiss the teacher as provided in section 15-539.
B. The teacher's acceptance of the contract must be indicated within fifteen business days from the date of the teacher's receipt of the written contract or the offer of a contract is revoked. Receipt under this subsection will be deemed to have occurred when the written contract is personally delivered,  placed in the teacher's school provided mailbox,  including electronic mail,  or two days after being placed in a United States postal service mailbox. The teacher accepts the contract by signing the contract and returning it to the governing board or by making a written instrument that accepts the terms of the contract and delivering it to the governing board. If the written instrument includes terms in addition to the terms of the contract offered by the board,  the teacher fails to accept the contract.
C. A certificated teacher who is currently a continuing teacher as defined in this section but who has been designated after an evaluation conducted according to the requirements pursuant to section 15-537 in the lowest performance classification for the current school year shall become a probationary teacher as defined in section 15-536 for the subsequent school year and shall remain a probationary teacher until that teacher's performance classification is designated in either of the two highest performance classifications.
D. For the purposes of this section,  " continuing teacher"  means a certificated teacher who has been and is currently employed by the school district for the major portion of three consecutive school years and who has not been designated in the lowest performance classification for the previous school year or who has not regained continuing status after being designated as a probationary teacher pursuant to subsection C of this section.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-538.02 - Teachers with short-term certificates; dismissal; notice

15-538.02.
Teachers with short-term certificates;  dismissal;  notice
Notwithstanding any other law,  the governing board may dismiss a teacher who holds a teaching intern certificate,  an emergency teaching certificate or another type of nonstandard certificate that is valid for one year or less without complying with the requirements of section 15-537,  15-538 or 15-541. A dismissal pursuant to this section is effective ten days after delivery of the notice of dismissal to the teacher. Notice of a governing board's authority to dismiss pursuant to this section shall be included in each teacher's contract.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-540 - Suspension prior to dismissal of a certificated teacher; written charges; salary

15-540.
Suspension prior to dismissal of a certificated teacher;  written charges;  salary
A. Upon a written statement of charges adopted by the governing board charging a certificated teacher of the school district with cause for suspension without pay or dismissal,  the governing board may immediately place the teacher on administrative leave of absence and give him notice of the administrative leave of absence.
B. The notice of administrative leave of absence shall be in writing and be served upon the teacher personally or by United States registered mail addressed to the teacher at his last known address.
C. Any teacher who is placed on administrative leave of absence pursuant to this section shall continue to be paid regular salary during the period of administrative leave of absence.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-541 - Hearing on dismissal

15-541.
Hearing on dismissal
A. The governing board shall decide whether to hold a hearing on the dismissal or suspension without pay for a period of time longer than ten days of a certificated teacher as provided in this article. If the governing board decides not to hold a hearing,  the governing board shall designate a hearing officer to hold the hearing,  hear the evidence,  prepare a record and issue a recommendation to the governing board for action. The governing board may provide by policy or vote at its annual organizational meeting that all hearings conducted pursuant to this section shall be conducted before a hearing officer. The hearing officer shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties to the hearing. If the parties cannot mutually agree on a hearing officer,  a hearing officer shall be selected by the governing board from a list provided by the department of education or the American arbitration association. The hearing shall be held not less than fifteen nor more than thirty days after the request is filed unless all parties to the hearing mutually agree to a different hearing date,  and notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the teacher not less than three days before the date of the hearing. The teacher may request that the hearing be conducted in public or private. At the hearing the teacher may appear in person and by counsel,  if desired,  and may present any testimony,  evidence or statements,  either oral or in writing,  in the teacher's behalf. The governing board or the hearing officer shall prepare an official record of the hearing,  including all testimony recorded manually or by mechanical device,  and exhibits. The teacher who is the subject of the hearing may not request that the testimony be transcribed unless the teacher agrees in writing to pay the actual cost of the transcription. Within ten days after a hearing conducted by the governing board,  the board shall determine whether there existed good and just cause for the notice of dismissal or suspension and shall render its decision accordingly,  either affirming or withdrawing the notice of dismissal or suspension. Within ten days after a hearing conducted by a hearing officer,  the hearing officer shall deliver a written recommendation to the governing board that includes findings of fact and conclusions. Parties to the hearing have the right to object to the findings of the hearing officer and present oral and written arguments to the governing board.
B. A hearing held pursuant to this section may not be conducted by any hearing officer having a personal interest which would conflict with the hearing officer's objectivity in the hearing. The governing board has an additional ten days to determine whether good and just cause existed for the notice of dismissal or suspension and shall render its decision accordingly,  either affirming or withdrawing the notice of suspension or dismissal. Good and just cause does not include religious or political beliefs or affiliations unless they are in violation of the oath of the teacher.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-542 - Hearing costs; counsel; limitations on evidence; reinstatement

15-542.
Hearing costs;  counsel;  limitations on evidence;  reinstatement
A. The governing board shall pay all expenses of the hearing. The certificated teacher and the governing board shall pay their own attorney and witness fees,  except if the governing board does not suspend the teacher without pay or dismiss the teacher,  the governing board shall pay all reasonable attorney and witness fees incurred by the teacher.
B. No witness shall be permitted to testify at the hearing except upon oath or affirmation. No testimony shall be given or evidence introduced relating to adequacy of classroom performance which occurred more than four years prior to the date of the service of the notice. Evidence of records regularly kept by the governing board concerning the teacher may be introduced,  but no decision relating to the suspension without pay or dismissal of any teacher shall be made based on charges or evidence relating to adequacy of classroom performance occurring more than four years prior to service of the notice. The four-year time limit shall not apply to the introduction of evidence in any area except that relating to adequacy of classroom performance.
C. If a certificated teacher who has been employed by the school district for more than the major portion of three consecutive school years is placed on administrative leave of absence pending the hearing,  he shall be reinstated within five days after the governing board renders a decision not to suspend him without pay or dismiss him.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-543 - Appeal from decision of board

15-543.
Appeal from decision of board
A. The decision of the governing board is final unless the certificated teacher files,  within thirty days after the date of the decision,  an appeal with the superior court in the county within which he was employed.
B. The decision of the governing board may be reviewed by the court in the same manner as the decision made in accordance with section 41-783. The proceeding shall be set for hearing at the earliest possible date and shall take precedence over all other cases,  except older matters of the same character and matters to which special precedence is otherwise given by law.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-544 - Limitations on reduction of salaries or personnel

15-544.
Limitations on reduction of salaries or personnel
A. A governing board may reduce salaries or eliminate certificated teachers in a school district in order to effectuate economies in the operation of the district or to improve the efficient conduct and administration of the schools of the school district.
B. Notice of a general salary reduction shall be given each certificated teacher affected.
C. The provisions of this section do not apply to reductions in salary from monies from the classroom site fund pursuant to section 15-977.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-545 - Resignation restrictions; unprofessional act; penalty

15-545.
Resignation restrictions;  unprofessional act;  penalty
A certificated teacher shall not resign after signing and returning his contract,  unless the resignation is first approved by the governing board. A teacher who resigns contrary to this section shall be deemed to commit an unprofessional act and,  upon request of the governing board,  shall be subject to such disciplinary action,  including suspension or revocation of certificate,  as the state board of education deems appropriate.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-547 - Preservation of years of employment

15-547.
Preservation of years of employment
The years of employment of a certificated teacher who has been employed by a school district for more than the major portion of three consecutive school years shall be preserved if such teacher transfers from a common school district to a high school district or from a high school district to a common school district if the governing board recognizes the previously established years of employment of the transferred teacher,  provided such districts have coterminous boundaries and have a common governing board.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-549 - Compulsory leaves of absence for criminal charges; continued salary

15-549.
Compulsory leaves of absence for criminal charges;  continued salary
A. If any certificated teacher is charged by criminal complaint,  information or indictment with any criminal offense which would be deemed cause for dismissal,  the governing board may immediately place the teacher on compulsory leave of absence for a period of time extending for not more than ten days after the date of the entry of the judgment in the proceedings.
B. Any teacher placed upon compulsory leave of absence pursuant to this section shall continue to be paid regular salary during the period of compulsory leave of absence.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-550 - Unprofessional conduct; penalty; definition

15-550.
Unprofessional conduct;  penalty;  definition
A. A person who has been convicted of a dangerous crime against children as defined in section 13-705 or has been convicted of a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or section 13-1405 or an act committed in another state or territory that if committed in this state would have been a dangerous crime against children or a violation of section 13-1404 or 13-1406 in which the victim was a minor or a violation of section 13-1405 is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person's certificate shall be revoked permanently immediately on notification of conviction by the clerk of the court or the magistrate.
B. A person who has been convicted of a preparatory offense as prescribed in section 13-1001 of any of the offenses prescribed in subsection A of this section or any crime that requires the person to register as a sex offender is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person's certificate shall be permanently revoked on notification of the conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction.
C. The state board of education shall permanently prohibit a noncertificated person who is convicted of an offense described in subsection A or B of this section from employment at a school district or charter school.
D. A person who is employed by a school district or who is an applicant for employment with a school district,  who is arrested for or charged with any nonappealable offense listed in section 41-1758.03,  subsection B and who does not immediately report the arrest or charge to the person's supervisor or potential employer is guilty of unprofessional conduct and the person shall be immediately dismissed from employment with the school district or immediately excluded from potential employment with the school district. This subsection does not entitle a person dismissed pursuant to this subsection to a right to a hearing pursuant to section 15-539,  subsection F.
E. A person who is employed by a school district and who is convicted of any nonappealable offense listed in section 41-1758.03,  subsection B or is convicted of any nonappealable offense that amounts to unprofessional conduct under this section shall immediately do all of the following:
1. Surrender any certificates issued by the department of education.
2. Notify the person's employer or potential employer of the conviction.
3. Notify the department of public safety of the conviction.
4. Surrender the person's fingerprint clearance card.
F. For the purposes of this section,  " noncertificated person"  has the same meaning prescribed in section 15-505.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-551 - Confidentiality of pupil's name; disciplinary hearing; civil penalty

15-551.
Confidentiality of pupil's name;  disciplinary hearing;  civil penalty
A. The governing board and the state board of education shall keep confidential the name of a pupil involved in a hearing before either board regarding the dismissal or discipline of a school district employee or an action on a certificate. The board shall not disclose the pupil's name without the consent of the pupil's parent or guardian except by order of the superior court. This section does not prevent either board from disclosing the pupil's name to any party to the hearing.
B. The board shall take a pupil's testimony in executive session. The pupil shall be referred to by a fictitious name during any public portions of the hearing. The pupil's name and testimony are not subject to inspection pursuant to title 39,  chapter 1,  article 2.
C. A person who participates in a hearing described in subsection A shall keep confidential the name of any pupil involved in the hearing. The county attorney may enforce a civil penalty of five hundred dollars against a person who violates this subsection.
D. The state board shall adopt rules for the implementation of this section.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-701.02 - Instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides

15-701.02.
Instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides
In adopting the course of study and competency requirements pursuant to sections 15-701 and 15-701.01,  the state board of education shall include a requirement that students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides at least twice between the seventh and twelfth grades.
2023 Arizona Revised Statutes › Title 15 - Education › § 15-701.03 - Health education instruction; mental health instruction

15-701.03.
Health education instruction;  mental health instruction
In adopting the course of study and competency requirements pursuant to sections 15-701 and 15-701.01,  the state board of education shall require that all health education instruction include mental health instruction. Mental health instruction may be included in a health course or another existing course and shall incorporate the multiple dimensions of health by including mental health and the relationship of physical and mental health to enhance student understanding,  social and emotional learning,  attitudes and behavior that promote health and well-being. In adopting the mental health instruction requirement,  the state board of education shall consult with the following:
1. Mental health experts,  including representatives from the department of health services.
2. Mental health advocacy organizations that are based in this state.
3. The department of education.