Letter of Intent Date: March 15

Signing and returning a letter of intent to your district employer is important, but don’t let the pressure get to you, especially if you’re asked to do so too early.

A letter of intent (and/or accompanying contract) signifies your plan to return to teaching in your district next year. State law allows school districts, on or after March 15 each year, to require certificated employees—teachers, counselors, speech pathologists, psychologists and others—to sign binding letters of intent and/or individual contracts.

Yet some administrators distribute letters, and ask for them back, even before the winter holidays. Often in an effort to get a handle on next year’s staffing situation, superintendents might suggest letters be returned by Feb. 1 or March 1.

Knowing your rights is important. Members should not rush to sign, but rather be deliberate and use the time allotted by law. Making a decision months in advance may cause problems down the road if your personal situation changes.

State statute is clear: A school district cannot require teachers to make a commitment before March 15.

However, failure to sign and return the letter by stated deadlines that fall on or after March 15 is a threat to a teacher’s employment.

If administrators distribute such a letter or contract prior to March 15 and ask for its return prior to March 15, a local association representative should fax a copy to their assigned NSEA organizational specialist at 1-402-475-2630. 

In the meantime, an appropriate response to the letter is “I don’t know yet” or “I’m not sure.”

Letters that ask for a signature and return on March 15 or on a specified date after March 15 are appropriate. In such cases, it is vital to sign and return it by the due date.

Have questions? Call NSEA at 1-800-742-0047 to speak with your region’s organizational specialist.