writing of his acceptance of the contract. Failure on the part of the teacher to notify the board of acceptance within the specified time limit shall be is conclusive evidence of the of the teacher’s rejection contract. (B) Any A teacher, receiving a notice that he will not be reemployed for the ensuing year, shall have has the same notice and opportunity for a hearing provided in subsequent sections for teachers this article for a teacher dismissed for cause during the school year.” SECTION 3. Section 5925460 of the 1976 Code is amended to read: 5925460. (A) No A teacher shall may not be dismissed “Section unless written notice specifying the cause of dismissal is first is given the teacher by the District Board of Trustees superintendent and the teacher is given an opportunity for a an evidentiary hearing has been afforded the teacher. Such This written notice shall must include the fact that a hearing before the board or its designee is available to the teacher upon request provided, such if the request is made in writing within fifteen days as prescribed by provided in Section 5925470. Any such hearing shall must be public unless the teacher requests in writing that it be private. A board that chooses to delegate the evidentiary hearing to a designee shall indicate in board policy that it engages in this practice. The hearing process becomes effective when the board adopts the policy, and must be communicated to all affected employees within fifteen days. A subsequent change only may be made pursuant to the board policy revision process. (B)(1) If the board chooses to delegate the evidentiary hearing to a designee, the designee must be: (a) an attorney licensed to practice law in this State; (b) certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a mediator or arbitrator; and (c) designated by the board chair. (2) If the designee holds the evidentiary hearing, he shall issue a written report and recommendation containing findings of facts and conclusions of law to the board within fifteen days after the hearing concludes. The superintendent and the teacher may submit a written response to this report and recommendation to the board within ten days after the date on which the report and recommendation are issued, after which the board shall issue a decision affirming or withdrawing the notice of suspension or
writing of his acceptance of the contract. Failure on the part of the teacher to notify the board of acceptance within the specified time limit shall be is conclusive evidence of the teacher’s rejection of the contract. (B) Any A teacher, receiving a notice that he will not be reemployed for the ensuing year, shall have has the same notice and opportunity for a hearing provided in subsequent sections for teachers this article for a teacher dismissed for cause during the school year.” SECTION 3. Section 5925460 of the 1976 Code is amended to read: “Section 5925460. (A) No A teacher shall may not be dismissed unless written notice specifying the cause of dismissal is first is given the teacher by the District Board of Trustees superintendent and the teacher is given an opportunity for a an evidentiary hearing has been afforded the teacher. Such This written notice shall must include the fact that a hearing before the board or its designee is available to the teacher upon request provided, such if the request is made in writing within fifteen days as prescribed by provided in Section 5925470. Any such hearing shall must be public unless the teacher requests in writing that it be private. A board that chooses to delegate the evidentiary hearing to a designee shall indicate in board policy that it engages in this practice. The hearing process becomes effective when the board adopts the policy, and must be communicated to all affected employees within fifteen days. A subsequent change only may be made pursuant to the board policy revision process. (B)(1) If the board chooses to delegate the evidentiary hearing to a designee, the designee must be: (a) an attorney licensed to practice law in this State; (b) certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a mediator or arbitrator; and (c) designated by the board chair. (2) If the designee holds the evidentiary hearing, he shall issue a written report and recommendation containing findings of facts and conclusions of law to the board within fifteen days after the hearing concludes. The superintendent and the teacher may submit a written response to this report and recommendation to the board within ten days after the date on which the report and recommendation are issued, after which the board shall issue a decision affirming or withdrawing the notice of suspension or
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