KANSAS CITY, Kan. — After staying at the capitol all weekend, Kansas lawmakers passed a school funding bill in hopes of satisfying a court ruling.
But it also includes a number of reforms that have educators unhappy, mainly the elimination of due process rights for teachers.
The bill passed by lawmakers gives Kansas schools an extra $126 million to correct wealth based disparities in the school funding formula.
Poor schools may now get the money they need in Kansas, but the state’s teachers will pay a price. That’s because the funding package also strips teachers of due process rights. Parents who support more money for public education say the bill should not become law because teachers are being disrespected.
“I think at some place we have to draw the line. Our teachers are what create excellent scholars that go out and become our future leaders,” said Kathy Cook of Kansas Families for Education. “We don’t respect them and we don’t treat them the way they should be treated. We’re only hurting our children in the future.
Republican leaders say they are giving school administrators what they want, which is eliminating regulations that often prevent them from firing bad teachers. Currently any public school teacher with at least three years on the job is entitled to a hearing if a district plans to fire one of them.
“Due process was very important to a number of teachers. I have not heard one superintendent across the state of Kansas in a committee or in a personal conversation that disrespects our teachers and wanted to do away with due process,” said Rep. Tom Burroughs.
Administrators also must document conduct to justify any termination. If the governor signs this bill, teachers will no longer be able to request a hearing.
Some teachers claim that due process gives them protection, when they speak out against school policies or when they are fighting a disgruntled parent upset over a poor grade.
Lawmakers have told fox 4 news that they expect Governor Brownback will sign the bill into law.
Opponents say there was enough support to pass a clean bill, a law that would provide money for the schools without the reforms, like eliminating due process for teachers.
