Appraisal timelines

A teacher filed a grievance alleging that her school district failed to give her a second appraisal. She requested the second appraisal in accordance with PDAS rules, which state that a teacher may request a second appraisal by a different appraiser if a request is submitted in writing within 10 business days from the date that the appraisal is received. Although the second appraisal did take place, it did not occur until May 2. According to the school district’s appraisal calendar, appraisals were to be conducted on or before April 17. The teacher argued that the district was required to conduct the second appraisal in accordance with the timelines established by the district’s appraisal calendar and PDAS rules.    

The commissioner of education held that appraisal timelines do not apply to a request for a second appraisal. The district could lawfully conduct the second appraisal after the deadline to conduct observations had passed.