Act 1357 of 2003 amends Arkansas Code 6-17-208 to provide additional language to the grievance law procedures. The grievance procedure has been amended to include the following:
(1) Each school district shall have written procedures, which provides an orderly method of resolving concerns raised by an employee at the lowest possible administrative level and in a clear and timely manner for both parties;
(2) All school employees shall have the right to file grievances and have those grievances heard. A group of employees who have the same grievance may file a group grievance;
(3) Grievance means any concern related to personnel policy, salary, federal or state laws and regulations, or terms or conditions of employment;
(4) The right of all parties to be represented by a person of his or her own choosing but not by a member of the party’s immediate family at any level;
(5) At the hearing, the employee shall have an adequate opportunity to present the grievance, but no less than ninety (90) minutes;
(6) There shall be no reprisals of any kind against any individual who exercises his or her rights under this act; and
(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a school district to enter into an agreement recognizing an organization for the purpose of negotiating personnel policies, salaries, and educational matters of mutual concern.
Direct questions or request for additional information to Dr. Reginald Wilson.