Section 15.1-15-02 - Probationary teachers - Review of evaluations - Renewal and nonrenewal of contracts1. If the board of a school district contemplates not renewing the contract of an individual employed as a probationary teacher, the board shall review the individual's evaluations required by section 15.1-15-01 and meet with the individual in an executive session to discuss the reasons for the contemplated nonrenewal.2. The individual employed as a probationary teacher may be accompanied by two representatives selected by the individual for the purpose of speaking on behalf of the individual and by the individual's spouse or one other family member.3. No claim for relief for libel or slander may be brought regarding any communication made at an executive session of a school board held pursuant to this section.4. If the board of a school district elects not to renew the contract of an individual employed as a probationary teacher, the board shall provide written notification of the decision, together with a detailed description of the board's reasons, to the individual no earlier than April fifteenth nor later than May first.5. Failure by the board of a school district to provide the notification required by subsection 4 constitutes an offer to renew the individual's contract on the same terms and conditions as the individual's contract for the current year.6. The board of a school district may waive probationary status for a teacher with at least two years of teaching experience in the state.7. The board of a school district shall offer, as needed, based on the teacher's evaluation, a teacher mentoring program for probationary teachers.8. For purposes of this section, "probationary teacher" means an individual teaching for less than two years in the school district.Amended by S.L. 2023, ch. 173 (SB 2284),§ 2, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by S.L. 2019 , ch. 161( HB 1347 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2019.