(1) As used in this subchapter: “Probationary teacher” means a teacher who has not completed three (3) successive years of employment in the school district in which the teacher is currently employed.
(2) A teacher employed in a school district in this state for three (3) years shall be deemed to have completed the probationary period.
(3) However, an employing school district may, by a majority vote of its directors, provide for one (1) additional year of probationary status; and
(4) “Teacher” means any person, exclusive of the superintendent or assistant superintendent, employed in an Arkansas public school district who is required to hold a teaching license from the State Board of Education as a condition of employment.
(5) A teacher who has completed three (3) successive years of employment in the school district in which the teacher is employed on July 4, 1983, or a teacher who has been given credit for a prior service in another school district as authorized by subdivision (a)(2) of this section, is deemed to have completed the required probationary period.