What rights do I have to a hearing if I am notified that my contract is being nonrenewed?

It depends on your contract status. Teachers in a term contract district serve on a probationary contract for up to four years.  (Exception:  you only have to be on probation for one year if you have taught at least five of the last eight years.)    In a continuing contract district, you are placed on probation for the first three years. ( Exception:  you only have to be on probation for one year if you have taught at least five of the last eight years.) Teachers on probationary contracts in most cases have no rights to a hearing before the Board of Trustees.  In most districts, after two successful years of employment (one year if you have taught at least five of the last eight years) in a term contract district or after three years in a continuing contract district, you receive certain "due process" rights.

Due process rights include renewal of your contract unless you have been given proper notice that the contract will not be renewed, a hearing before the Board of Trustees or a hearing officer, the right to hear evidence against you, the right to cross-examine witnesses supporting the district's case, the right to present witnesses of your own, the right to be represented by counsel or a representative, and the right to appeal to the Commissioner the decision reached by the Board.  In addition, the case against you has to be based on evidence which shows that you violated the terms of your contract or for reasons listed in Board Policy.