Bill to bar employees fired for cause from running for local school boards laid over after committee debate

Representative Fettgatter introduced House Bill 41‑23, a proposal to prohibit a former school employee terminated for cause from running for school board in the same district. The sponsor said the measure targets cases of serious misconduct — including embezzlement and other crimes — where a local board found cause through a formal process.

"This bill, it prohibits former school employee who has been terminated with cause from a school district from running for school board in the same district," the sponsor stated when presenting the bill.

Committee members expressed concern about the bill's scope and possible unintended consequences. Representative Dallins objected that the measure could limit voters' choices and penalize people without a criminal conviction, asking, "How is this justifiable and where's the fairness of this and what do you say to the voters where you're taking away a choice that they could perfectly be suited to make on their own?"

The sponsor replied that local boards follow due process in termination hearings and that the bill’s intent is to prevent an individual who committed serious misconduct from gaining authority over the same district. The sponsor also agreed to verify statutory definitions of "for cause" and to work with members on amendments.

At the sponsor’s request, the committee laid the bill over to next week to allow further drafting and consultation rather than moving forward at this meeting.

Next steps: The sponsor will verify the definition of "for cause" and return with proposed amendments; the bill was laid over for further consideration.