Schools; teacher contracts; contracts less than one year prohibited; effective date; emergency.

HB 1946 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from entering into teacher contracts lasting less than one full school year, except for teachers hired after the school year has begun. This applies to all certified teachers in public school districts and requires contracts to cover the entire school year, with exceptions only for late-hired staff whose contracts must extend to the end of the current school year. The bill also establishes that teachers not formally rehired by June 15 automatically receive continuing contracts for the following school year. These provisions aim to ensure stable employment terms for teachers and prevent short-term contracts that could disrupt school operations.