Hiring Authority

When it comes to hiring employees in Texas public schools, final hiring authority can vary depending on local board policies and the use of resolutions.

For district leaders, evaluating existing hiring practices is important. Having a process to quickly hire contract employees, particularly teachers, can be a valuable tool in recruitment, onboarding, and retention of new staff.  

Options

Hiring authority typically falls under Policy DC(LOCAL), or it’s documented in board meeting minutes. Following are the most common hiring authority structures:

• Board hiring authority: In most school districts, the board of trustees delegates final hiring authority for noncontractual employees to the superintendent, allowing them to hire on an at-will basis. However, when it comes to contract employees, boards often retain full hiring control or oversee higher level hires (e.g., principal level and above). In these cases, the board president, designee, or superintendent signs contracts on the board’s behalf.
• Superintendent hiring authority: Districts can adopt a board policy giving final hiring authority to the superintendent to hire contract employees, or they can choose a more limited option to only hire for certain positions (e.g., up to the level of assistant principals, including teachers). This means the superintendent acts as the district’s authorized representative and signs the employment contracts.
• Resolutions: Another option is for the board to adopt a resolution that delegates hiring authority of contract personnel to the superintendent during the peak hiring season, typically the summer months. The documentation of this decision should be retained in an accessible location for easy reference. Some districts will modify their board policy to make this seasonal delegation permanent.

The last two options can substantially expedite the hiring process. Faster approval allows new hires to receive their contracts quicker and increases the retention rate of chosen candidates.

Resources

A streamlined hiring process benefits both employees and students. When vacant positions are filled quickly, new hires can acclimate to their new roles sooner, creating a stronger foundation for student learning.

More information on hiring authority can be found in the following HR Services articles (member login required):

• HR and Policy: Contract Administration
• HR and Policy: Nepotism