Joplin area legislators split down the middle on teacher tenure/evaluation vote

A bill sponsored by Rep. Kevin Elmer, R-Nixa, which would destroy teacher tenure and tie at least 33 percent of teacher evaluations to student standardized test scores was defeated by a 102-55 vote in the House Wednesday.

Of course, like Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th movies, it is sure to reemerge in some form or another before the current legislative session draws to a close.

The Joplin-area contingent split down the middle on the measure, with Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, Bill Lant, R-Joplin, and Tom Flanigan, R-Carthage, voting for the measure.

Rep. Bill White, R-Joplin, Rep. Bill Reiboldt, R-Seneca, and Rep. Mike Kelley, R-Lamar, voted against the bill.

In an earlier vote, all six area legislators voted for an amendment by Rep. Casey Guernsey, which called for maintaining tenure for currently tenured teachers.