Diocesan Board of Education
Diocese of Belleville
Policy 4119
PERSONNEL
Termination of Teachers
The principal is to inform the Pastor (where applicable) and the Superintendent of Schools before a teacher’s employment agreement is terminated. Employment agreements may be terminated if a teacher violates the policies of the Diocese, the teacher employment agreement, local school policies or otherwise fails to perform designated responsibilities in an appropriate and satisfactory manner or general employment standards established by the Diocesan Board of Education or the school. Some of which are set forth below. A teacher may be terminated without remediation for good and sufficient cause as determined at the sole discretion of the principal upon consultation and consent of the Pastor (where applicable) and Superintendent of Schools.
Grounds for termination of an employment agreement shall include, but shall not be limited to:
- failure to act in accordance with the doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church;
- violation of accepted academic or professional standards of conduct;
- failure to perform duties in a satisfactory manner, regardless of the cause of unsatisfactory manner;
- unsatisfactory professional growth and performance;
- non-observance of Diocesan Board of Education or the School Board Policies and Regulations;
- failure to act in accordance with the philosophy of the parish school or School Board;
- legitimate economic reasons, which include, but are not limited to, any change in the parish school’s financial position, enrollment, or other circumstances that reduces the number of teachers required to fulfill the parish school’s needs or reduction in force associated with mergers or consolidations of schools or programs;
- failure or refusal to carry out or perform any stated duty, directive or instruction;
- failure to obtain or maintain required licenses or approval from the Office of Education;
- failure to obtain or pass required screenings;
- violation of employment agreement;
- any other conduct that constitutes good cause as determined at the sole discretion of the principal upon consultation and consent of the Pastor and Superintendent of Schools;
- it is understood that these points of professionalism are operative at all times and places while employed.
A principal may allow the teacher an opportunity to remediate issues of concern, to achieve desired improvement. However, such an attempt at remediation shall be solely at the discretion of the principal and shall not be required.
Adopted: August 9, 1993
Revised: January 29, 2025