Employee Responsibilities under Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code

Employee Responsibilities under Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code 

Fort Bend ISD’s educators play a critical role in our efforts to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine, and we look forward to welcoming our teachers back for the 2022-23 school year.   

As of Thursday, May 5, FBISD staff members are now able to access and sign their contract for the 2022-23 school year through MySelfServe. To support our campus leaders and their ongoing instructional planning for next year, we ask that staff express their intent to return by electronically accepting the contract (e-form) by May 27, 2022. Please note that should an employee not take action to formally accept the contract or submit their resignation by Monday, June 27, 2022, at 11:59 PM, the e-form will default with acceptance of the Chapter 21 contract.   

Important information: Resigning from FBISD 

While we hope our teachers choose to return to FBISD, we understand that at times, situations may arise that make it difficult for them to fulfill their contractual obligations. If you are a teacher employed under a Chapter 21 contract and you decide not to return to Fort Bend ISD next year, it is important that you notify the district of your intent not to return on or before Monday June 27, 2022, at 11:59 PM.   

As you may be aware, Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) requires that employees who receive a Chapter 21 contract notify their employer of their intent not to return 45 days prior to the first day of instruction for the next school year.  

In accordance with this 45-day period and FBISD’s instructional calendar, if you find that you need to resign from your position for the 2022 – 23 school year, an exit form must be submitted electronically via MySelfServe no later than Monday June 27, 2022, at 11:59 PM, the penalty-free resignation date. After Monday, June 27, 2022, at 11:59 PM, any educator employed under a Chapter 21 contract who resigns without good cause will become ineligible for rehire within Fort Bend ISD and may be subject to possible sanctions by the State Board for Educator Certification. 

Considerations when determining good cause 

Fort Bend ISD does not take the decision to designate an exiting employee with an ineligible for rehire status or pursue certification sanctions lightly; nonetheless, it will take all appropriate actions to ensure that our students have access to high-quality instruction throughout the school year.   

Below are some of the considerations FBISD will take into account when determining whether an employee is resigning with or without good cause: 

• Serious illness or health condition of the educator or the educator’s close family member (must provide medical documentation from a medical provider, or can use the same medical certificate if the employee is currently on leave);  
• Relocation to a new city (outside of the Region 4 Education Service area) as a result of a change in the educator’s spouse’s employer or partner who resides with the educator; (must show proof of new residence outside the Region 4 area) or  
• Significant change in the educator’s family needs, requires the educator to relocate or to devote more time than allowed by current employment, such as a death or serious illness of immediate family – spouse, child, parent, or members within the same household (must provide medical documentation from a medical provider and/or death certificate).  
• FBISD also considers promotion factors (must provide an official job offer letter and must be for a higher compensation rate or position status)  

FAQ

What do I do if I need to resign with good cause after the Penalty-free Resignation Date? 

1. Initiate a conversation with your leader to share your intent and reason for your resignation.  

2. After the conversation with your leader, submit your formal resignation by completing an exit form through MySelfServe and attach appropriate documentation with your submission. You must provide one or more of the following documents:  

• Medical documentation from a medical provider, or the same medical certificate if currently on leave for your own serious illness or health condition
• Proof of new residence outside the Region 4 area
• Medical documentation from a medical provider and/or death certificate of an immediate family member
• Official job offer letter for a higher compensation rate or position status

3. If possible, assist your leader in finding and training a replacement educator to fill your position 

4. If possible, provide transition/lesson plans to assist your replacement 

5. Your exit submission will be reviewed along with documents provided and if resignation is deemed with good cause, your exit will be approved with an eligible for rehire status  

What do I do if I need to resign without good cause after the Penalty-free Resignation Date? 

1. If you decide to break your contract with the District, you will become ineligible for rehire within Fort Bend ISD and may be subject to possible sanctions by the State Board for Educator Certification