#SB196 renomination or reelection of teachers and prohibiting assessing teacher performance based solely on assessment scores (committee opinion attached) #nhhouse

SB 196, relative to the renomination or reelection of teachers and prohibiting assessing teacher performance based solely on assessment scores.  

 

MAJORITY:  OUGHT TO PASS WITH AMENDMENT.  MINORITY:  INEXPEDIENT TO LEGISLATE.

Rep. Gregory Hill for the Majority of  Education:  This bill extends the time from 3 years to 5 years required for a teacher to be entitled to rights of notification and hearing for failure to be renominated or re-elected.  The feeling is that 5 years can give more time for development where an administrator can work with a borderline teacher.   If the school is simply reducing the workforce, the reduction shall not be solely based on seniority.  Finally, this bill limits the exclusive remedy available to a teacher on the issue of non-renewal to the same as it was prior to 2008, that is, a petition for review. Vote 13-4.   

   

Rep. Barbara E Shaw for the Minority of  Education:  The minority of the committee requested that the bill be divided or retained, but lost both suggestions.  The minority agreed and were sympathetic with the extension of the probationary period from 3-5 years and, in addition, was favorable to the non-reelection clause stating that reduction in force shall not be based solely on seniority.  Our serious concerns were regarding amendments to grievance procedures, specifically the elimination of collective bargaining.