I. PURPOSE: To outline for the 2010-2011 school year nonrenewal ...

BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (CITY SCHOOLS) 533
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL (OHC)
SUBJECT: NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION
I. PURPOSE: To outline for the 2010-2011 school year nonrenewal and extension-ofprobation
procedures for probationary and conditional teachers.
II. CITY SCHOOLS ESSENTIAL: Resources that promote high achievement for every student.
III. GOVERNING POLICY/REGULATORY IMPLICATIONS: Baltimore City School Board of
School Commissioners Rules, Md. Code Ann. Educ. Art., COMAR, and BTU contract.
IV. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES:
A. This policy sets forth the practices of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (the
Board) for the nonrenewal and extension of probation of Probationary Teachers and the
nonrenewal of Conditional Teachers.
B. This policy is not intended in any manner to limit City Schools’ ability to non-renew its
teachers. The policy is intended to ensure that City Schools follows timely, uniform processes
and that affected teachers receive equitable treatment.
C. This policy does not apply to nonrenewal for lapse in certification. Refer questions regarding
certification to the Office of Licensure and HQ at 443-642-4530 or 410-396-8885.
D. This policy does not apply to dismissal for cause and, except as described below at VIII.A.,
does not apply to Tenured Teachers, who are not subject to nonrenewal. For questions
regarding the dismissal of tenured teachers, please consult with a member of the labor
relations team at 410-396-8885.
V. DEFINITIONS:
A. Tenured Teacher: A teacher holding an MSDE Professional Certificate who has
successfully completed the probationary period with City Schools.
B. Probationary Teacher: A teacher who holds a Professional Certificate who has not
successfully completed the probationary period set forth in the Regular Contract. Teachers
previously tenured in another Maryland school district who transfer to City Schools
temporarily revert to probationary status for one year.
C. Conditional Teacher: A teacher who holds a Conditional or Resident Teacher Certificate
and is party to the Provisional Contract.
VI. SUPPORTS FOR THE STRUGGLING TEACHER
A. As soon as a principal recognizes that a probationary teacher is struggling in any of the PBES
evaluation areas, several support and improvement measures should be initiated, including:
CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE – NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 1

BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (CITY SCHOOLS) 533
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL (OHC)
SUBJECT: NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION
1. Performance Improvement Plan: should include clear, substantive teacher support,
including regularly scheduled PIP appraisal reviews. At each PIP review, the teacher
always should have the opportunity to submit comments; and sign the review.
2. Mentoring: could include co-teaching, visits to comparable classrooms, coordinated
lesson planning, model teaching, and IST support.
3. Professional Development: opportunities are created through the Office of Teaching and
Learning and include a variety of workshops for all content areas offered after school and
on weekends.
B. For assistance in creating a comprehensive plan to improve a teacher’s effectiveness, contact
Jarrod Bolte, Office of Teaching and Learning, at 443-642-6688 or JBolte@bcps.k12.md.us.
VII. DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING NONRENEWALS OR EXTENSIONS OF PROBATION
Nonrenewal and extensions of probation should be supported by careful documentation,
including Formal Observations, Mid-Year Performance Report, Annual Evaluation, PIPs, and
mentoring memos. An outline of the basic observation and evaluation procedural
requirements is attached to this Guidance 533. A summary of such documentation:
A. Formal Observations: All City Schools teachers must be formally observed twice each
year—first, before December 1, 2010 and second, before April 1, 2011—each time by a
different Qualified Observer. The same Qualified Observer CANNOT conduct both Formal
Observations.
B. Mid-Year Performance Report: Prior to January 15, 2011, all City Schools teachers should
receive formal, mid-year evaluations. If any PBES domain is rated unsatisfactory—even if
the overall rating is satisfactory—that teacher must be placed on a PIP.
C. Annual Evaluation: The principal bears the responsibility for all Annual Evaluations. All
Unsatisfactory Annual Evaluations must be conducted before May 1, 2011. If any PBES
domain is rated unsatisfactory—even if the overall rating is satisfactory—that teacher must be
placed on a PIP.
D. Miscellaneous Supporting Documentation: PIPs and evidence of supports described at VI.
VIII. CONTRACTUAL POLICY ON DELIVERY OF NOTICE
A. Probationary Teachers—Probationary Teachers under the Regular Contract.
1. Nonrenewal or Extension of Probation
CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE – NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 2

BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (CITY SCHOOLS) 533
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL (OHC)
SUBJECT: NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION
a. Teachers newly hired for the 2009-2010 school year (and so currently in their
second year under the Regular Contract): will automatically earn tenure at the
close of this 2010-2011 school year unless they are nonrenewed or their probation
is extended for a third year.
b. Teachers newly hired this 2010-2011 school year and hereafter: the Regular
Contract automatically renews from year to year for three years absent timely
written notice of nonrenewal.
2. Timely Written Notice Not Later than May 1, 2011. To ensure compliance with the
May 1 deadline, City Schools shall require delivery of notices as described below.
B. Conditional Teachers—Conditional Teachers are hired under the Provisional Contract.
1. Conditional Teachers are employed under the Provisional Contract, which automatically
expires on June 30.
2. Although the Provisional Contract expires on its own, as a courtesy, City Schools intends
to notify Conditional Teachers by delivery of notices described below.
IX. SUBMISSION OF NONRENEWAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. Recommendations for nonrenewal and extension of probation must be submitted using
eforms and must include executed supporting documentation described herein (e.g., PIP, both
First and Second Formal Observations, Mid-year Performance Review, Annual Evaluation,
mentoring memos, etc.) electronically attached to the eform.
B. Principals may use the Electronic Forms link on the ERP Portal tree icon
(http://hqfs3.bcps.k12.md.us:8000/bcpss.html) and select the Nonrenewal or Extension of
Probation Form from the City Schools folder to submit recommendations.
CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE – NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 3

X. TIMELINE
March 21, 2011
March 25, 2011
March 28 –
April 6, 2011
April 7-17, 2011
April 18 - 25, 2011
BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (CITY SCHOOLS) 533
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL (OHC)
SUBJECT: NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION
Directions and forms for nonrenewal and extension-of-probation recommendations
posted to City Schools Desk Reference.
Principals submit to Labor Relations for review eforms for all recommendations of
nonrenewal or extension of probation, with supporting documentation scanned and
attached to eform.
Labor Relations review recommendations for presence of appropriate
documentation to support nonrenewal or extension of probation. Labor Relations
forward to ED for approval or rejection of principal recommendation.
EDs electronically submit to Chief Human Capital Officer for review all
approved/denied recommendations of nonrenewal or extension of probation.
Principals notify teachers in person of non-renewals and extensions of probation
in advance of official notification letters sent by OHC.
OHC Staffing generates letters for principals to share with impacted staff (OHC
staffing will send official letters on April 26 th to all affected staff)
Conversations must be completed NO LATER THAN April 25 th . On the form
provided by OHC, Principals shall obtain written, signed, and dated
acknowledgement of each discussion, which acknowledgement shall be returned to
OHC to the attention of Labor Relations.
Questions directed to OHC regarding reasons supporting a nonrenewal or
extension of probation will be referred to the principal, supervisor, and/or the
Executive Director.
April 26, 2011 OHC Staffing prepares and mails notification letters to affected teachers.
OHC CONTACT INFORMATION: Jerome Jones 410-545-3983 jjones05@bcps.k12.md.us
Ami Magunia 410-396-8885 amagunia@bcps.k12.md.us
CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE – NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 4

BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (CITY SCHOOLS) 533
DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL (OHC)
SUBJECT: NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION
The undersigned teacher and principal hereby acknowledge in-person delivery of verbal and
written notice of nonrenewal or extension of probation, as the case may be, on the date set forth
below.
____________________________________ ___________________________________
Teacher Name Date
____________________________________ ___________________________________
Principal Name Date
Teacher refused to sign.
____________________________________ ___________________________________
Witness Name Date
CITY SCHOOLS SUPPORTING GUIDANCE – NONRENEWAL AND EXTENSION OF PROBATION PAGE 5