Call UniServ Staff For Nonrenewal Help

What should Association members do if they receive a notice that their teaching contract is to be nonrenewed, terminated or reduced?   The first step is to call an NDEA UniServ director for an opinion on the legality of the notices.

UniServ office and phone numbers are:

Northeast Region
Karol Nyberg, 1-866-591-6332, 701-757-1130 or e-mail karol.nyberg@ndea.org

Capitol Region
Steve Urso, 1-800-369-6332, 701-223-0450 or e-mail steve.urso@ndea.org

Southwest Region
Fern Pokorny, 1-800-599-6332, 701-225-0736 or e-mail fern.pokorny@ndea.org

Southeast Region
Deanna Paulson, 1-800-304-6332, 701-281-7235 or e-mail deanna.paulson@ndea.org

Central East Region
Jane Rupprecht  , 1-800-304-6332, 701-281-7235 or e-mail jane.rupprecht@ndea.org

Northwest Region
Josh Askvig, 1-800-369-6332, 701-223-0450 or e-mail josh.askvig@ndea.org

The notice must be in writing and be received no later than April 15.  It must indicate the school board is “contemplating” not renewing a contract, specify the time (not later than April 21) and place of a special board meeting to discuss the contemplated action, and state the reasons for the contemplated nonrenewal.

If the notice is proper, upon the advice and assistance of NDEA, the offer for a formal hearing may be accepted by the educator.

The educator should prepare a defense using as much documented material as possible (e.g. administrative, conference material, evaluations, parental conference material, etc.)  A defense based upon emotion has little strength compared to one based on facts.

It is best when possible, to work closely with the local teacher rights committee in preparing a case to secure strong local association backing.

It is important to be frank, honest and complete when meeting with the NDEA representative before the hearing.  Tell the facts so the case is understandable.

Be prepared to refute the written charges at the hearing using documentation and witnesses, if necessary.

If at the hearing, the charges are irrefutable and more time is needed to build a defense, a continuance (not to exceed seven days) may be requested.  As provided by law, this request must be granted.

At the continuance, no new charges are to be added to the original list.

The board is required during the hearing to make a final determination on the contemplated nonrenewal.

Written notification of a final decision to nonrenew must be given to the educator by the board no later than May 1.  Upon receipt of written notification the teacher should inform the NDEA.