20-6-711. Tenure protected -- hiring preference for noncertified employees. (1) Whenever an elementary district is attached to a high school district to form a K-12 school district under the provisions of 20-6-701, a district superintendent, principal, teacher, or other certified employee of the elementary district who has a right of tenure under Montana law continues to have tenure in the K-12 district and the board of trustees of the high school district in which the person will perform duties shall recognize and give effect to the right of tenure.

(2) A noncertified, nonprobationary employee of an elementary district that is attached to a high school district to form a K-12 district must be given preference in hiring for any position with the K-12 district for which the employee has substantially equal qualifications and, upon acceptance of a position, may not be given probationary status.