Missouri teachers already have to wait longer than teachers in most other states to receive tenure, five years, but the Senate voted today to double that time.
It had appeared that the efforts by Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Chesterfield, to eliminate tenure had been rebuffed two days ago by an amendment from Education Committee Chairman David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, to establish a committee to study teacher pay, bounced back with her latest assault on public school teachers.
An amendment offered today by Sen. Tom Dempsey to double that time was approved by a voice vote.
The Cunningham bill, SB 806, also eliminates the requirement that the last teachers hired have to be the first to be eliminated when there is a reduction in force.
The bill has now gone through two readings. The third is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, when the Senate returns from its Easter break. Since the second vote was a voice vote, senators did not have to have their names counted as being in favor of the change.
When Tuesday's vote takes place, it will be by roll call.
Missouri NEA is expected to issue an action alert to its members Friday.
No word has been issued yet from Missouri State Teachers Association.
Cunningham made the following statement regarding the bill:
ReplyDelete“As long as the teacher does not own their job, if you will, then they’re going to be really working to prove (themselves) and do a good job," Cunningham said. "It gives us five more years of encouraging and giving motivation to teachers to really produce.”
I'm outraged by this mindless comment! Every year, EVERYDAY, I'm a better teacher than before. NEVER have I considered that I "OWN" my job. Never have I needed more motivation to produce because I DO MY BEST EVERYDAY! NEVER have I thought that "tenure" means "untouchable". This bill will not effect me, but I am offended by it's implications and by the veiled accusation Cunningham is making about the character of all teachers. Such a narrow-minded, uninformed, unfounded, STUPID statement deserves to be called out. Apparently Cunningham believes that she "owns" her job and is now entitled to make unwarranted attacks. This is the same brilliant leader who introduced a bill to have much of the MO Child Labor Law repealed and ended up in the National spotlight because of her outrageous act of profound stupidity.
I believe Jane Cunningham has "owned" her job too long!
If you do not know after five years that you have a good employee then you have problems.
ReplyDeleteSo let us put the same requirements for our legislators, if you do not serve at least 10 years then you do not receive any benefits from the state.
Well, that'd be tough to do with term limits. The house has to be voted in every 2 years. The senate every 4.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying I'm for this action, but out of curiosity, what benefits? Do you not get insurance benefits till you receive tenure? Are you not part of PSRS until you receive tenure? I really don't know.
Randy,
ReplyDeleteI am a member of MSTA. We received notification on the following dates regarding this bill:
January 17
February 22
March 2
April 3
April 4
MSTA sends out Legislative Alerts via email.