2012.02.13
House-passed bill would make it easier to fire teachers
RICHMOND — Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal to phase out Virginia public-school teachers’ de facto tenure system was passed by the House of Delegates today.
As initially proposed by the governor, the measure would have immediately ended the state’s longtime practice of keeping teachers on continuing contracts, replacing them with annual contracts.
In a compromise, the House-passed version would keep current teachers on continuing contracts and put new hires on three-year contracts.
Even that watered-down bill (HB576) was passed on a relatively close 55-43 vote. Twelve Republicans joined most of the House’s Democratic minority in opposing the measure.
One Democrat, Del. Johnny Joannou of Portsmouth, voted for the bill.
House Majority Leader Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, said it’s too hard to fire incompetent teachers under the continuing-contract system.
Democrats disputed that contention and said ending continuing contracts will demoralize teachers.
“This is not the way to attract and retain good teachers,” said Del. Kaye Kory, D-Fairfax County. “This is the way to drive them out of Virginia.”
The measure’s prospects in the state Senate are uncertain.
– Bill Sizemore | The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot
Call it what you may but this is another GOP attack on Unions, The VEA in this instance. The right-wing is determined to take away collective bargaining and destroy workers rites.
Comment by William Blevins — February 13, 2012 @ 1:24 pm
If only the TP/GOP could see the logs in their own eyes, they’d be damn near perfect then.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 13, 2012 @ 9:56 pm