School business administrators and other education leaders do not have the luxury of simply uttering words like "You're fired!" to employees whom they believe should no longer work for the district--especially in states with tenure and collective-bargaining agreements. Rather, administrators must follow appropriate personnel procedures…

Enacted in 2002 as the cornerstone of President George W. Bush's educational policy, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has been controversial since it became law. At its heart, NCLB is designed to have students perform at grade level by the year 2014. Yet as debate rages on an array of issues surrounding NCLB, the reauthorization process has…

Reviews employee hiring and filing policies in relation to recent court cases involving employee grievances (since 1979) and in relation to "firing at will." Discusses oral employment contracts and presents a checklist for unjust dismissal prevention. Includes an inset offering interviewing tips. (MD)

New legislation requiring that continuing health insurance benefits be offered to employees and their families generally apply to all health care benefit plans maintained by school districts. The new regulations are explained. (MLF)

Generally, support employees can be discharged only for statutorily created reasons, including incompetence, insubordination, immorality, and "good cause." School officials must know employees' rights under due-process and collective-bargaining rules and use objective evaluation criteria to avoid litigation and remedies for wrongful…