House Republicans push through teacher furlough, pay cut bill

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http://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/texas-legislature/headlines/20110616-house-republicans-push-through-teacher-furlough-pay-cut-bill.ece

AUSTIN — Thousands of teachers in North Texas and statewide would face unpaid furloughs and salary reductions in the fall of 2012 to offset massive funding cuts to their school districts under legislation approved Thursday by the Republican-dominated House.

Under the latest version of a bill dubbed the “death star” by teacher groups, districts would be given new options to cut expenses in their teaching ranks and teachers would lose seniority, due process rights and other contract protections they have had for several years.

Republican sponsors said the cost-saving options will save teacher jobs, allowing districts to avoid layoffs by decreasing salaries and imposing furloughs instead.

Democrats described the far-reaching legislation as an attack on Texas teachers triggered by the Legislature’s failure to fully fund public schools in the new state budget. Education funding is being reduced $4 billion over the next two years.

The legislation was passed on an 81-55 vote, with 11 Republicans crossing over and voting with 44 Democrats against the bill. No Democrats voted yes.

“Teachers are at the center of the target, and they’re being attacked right and left,” said Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston. “We’re eliminating contract rights for teachers, we’re doing away with seniority protection and we’re getting rid of salary guarantees.”

Turner said that despite positive spin by Republicans, “we are going after our teachers with this bill.”

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Key provisions of the measure passed Thursday:

Furloughs: Teachers and other professionals could be put on unpaid furloughs for up to six non-instructional days during the school year.

Salary reductions: Districts could decrease salaries of teachers to save money thanks to cancellation of a 2009 state law that protected them from pay cuts.

Seniority protection: More experienced teachers would no longer be protected in layoffs and could be fired while less experienced — and lower paid — teachers are retained.

Contract renewals: Teachers could have their contracts canceled 10 days before the end of the school year instead of the current 45 days, giving them less time to find a new job.

Other provisions added by the House:

Class size: School districts would be given easier access to state waivers on the class size cap of 22 pupils in kindergarten through fourth grade. Districts that lose funding from the previous year could be exempted from the standard for the entire school year.

Due process hearings: Teachers would lose the right to an independent hearing if they are laid off and appeal their dismissal. Appeals would instead be considered by the local school board or its representative.

NOTE: The bill has passed the Senate and the House. Negotiators for the two chambers will work out differences between their versions.