(a) Before a teacher is dismissed, the employer shall give the teacher written notice of the proposed dismissal and a pretermination hearing. A pretermination hearing under this section must comport with the minimum requirements of due process, including an explanation of the employer's evidence and basis for the proposed dismissal and an opportunity for the teacher to respond. If, following a pretermination hearing, an employer determines that dismissal is appropriate, the employer shall provide written notice, including a statement of cause and a complete bill of particulars, of the decision. The dismissal is effective when the notice is delivered to the teacher.
(b) An employer that has decided to nonretain a tenured teacher shall provide the teacher with written notice, including a statement of cause and a complete bill of particulars. The notice must comply with AS 14.20.140(a).
(c) Within 15 days after receipt of a decision of dismissal under (a) of this section or nonretention under (b) of this section, a teacher may notify the employer in writing that the teacher is requesting a hearing before the school board under (d) of this section or that the teacher is invoking the grievance procedures under (e) of this section.
(d) Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the employer shall immediately schedule a hearing and notify the teacher in writing of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The teacher may elect to have either a public or a private hearing, and to have the hearing under oath or affirmation. The parties have a right to be represented by counsel and to cross-examine witnesses. The teacher has the right to subpoena a person who has made statements that are used as a basis for the employer's decision to dismiss or nonretain. A written transcript, tape, or similar recording of the proceedings shall be kept. A copy of the recording shall be furnished to the teacher, for cost, upon request of the teacher. A decision of the school board requires a majority vote of the membership, by roll call. The board's decision shall be in writing and must contain specific findings of fact and conclusions of law. A copy of the decision shall be furnished to the teacher within 10 days after the date of the decision. If the school board sustains the dismissal or nonretention, the teacher may appeal the decision to the superior court for judicial review based on the administrative record.
(e) Upon receipt of a notice invoking the grievance procedures, the school board shall immediately schedule an informal hearing and notify the teacher in writing of the date, time, and place of the hearing. The hearing is for the purpose of reviewing the statement of cause and bill of particulars and not for the purpose of taking evidence. The teacher may choose whether the informal hearing is held in public or in private. A decision of the school board requires a majority vote of the membership, by roll call. The board's decision shall be in writing. The board shall promptly furnish a copy of the decision to the teacher. If the board sustains the dismissal or nonretention, the teacher may, within 15 days after receipt of the decision, give written notice to the school board and submit the matter to arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The decision of the arbitrator is final and binding on the school board, the teacher, and the bargaining organization representing the teacher, if any. If the school board and the teacher agree, they may waive the informal hearing under this subsection and submit the matter directly to arbitration.