Q: Are part-time teachers entitled to employment contracts?
A: Districts are not required to provide Chapter 21 contracts to teachers who teach less than an average of four hours per day in an academic instructional setting, even if they are certified in the content areas they teach. Library media specialists, counselors, or nurses who work less than 10 months (187 days) or less than 100 percent of the school day are also considered part-time and do not require a Chapter 21 contract.
If a part-time educator is currently working under a Chapter 21 contract, changes can be made for the upcoming school year. Because the employee is not entitled to a Chapter 21 contract, he or she does not have the same rights as someone whose position requires one. Therefore, the change can be made without going through the nonrenewal process. However, the employee does have the right to be employed in the same professional capacity in the next school year but can be given a Letter Agreement for Part-Time Educator instead of a contract.
A Sample Letter Agreement for Part-Time Educator 
was recently developed by TASB Legal Services and can be used to clarify the district’s employment relationship with part-time teachers and others. The form is available in the Contracts and Assignments section of the HR Library.
