Senate Education panel advances bill easing spousal-employment limits for smallest school districts

Senate Bill 10 45, a bill that would relax limits on trustees' spouses holding certain employment in very small school districts, was sent to the Senate floor with a "do pass" recommendation after the Senate Education Committee heard testimony from school-district representatives and a trustee.

The bill would create a limited exception to the statute identified in testimony as "33 5 0 7" for districts with a fall enrollment of 400 students or fewer. Under the change described by proponents, spouses of trustees who hold contracted certificated positions such as teachers or pupil-service staff could be hired under contracts that carry more due-process protections than the current category 1 hire, provided the related trustee abstains from any discussion or votes related to that spouse’s employment. The…