Teacher Quality

NEWSPAPER
EDITORIAL

March 25, 2008 - An editorial from the DesMoines Register asks the governor to veto HF 2645, the hastily-approved bill that at expands the power of public-employee unions.

Senate passage Monday came six after the proposal was introduced, when many Iowans were away during school districts' spring breaks. The measure surfaced Tuesday, March 18, in an amendment to House File 2645, which originally was expected only to tweak Iowa's collective-bargaining law.

March 26, 2008 - Jack L. Hill, president of the Iowa Association of School Boards, explained why the bill would strip school boards of much of their authority and their ability to fire teachers. Districts must have the flexibility to make the decision to terminate teachers. At present, their decisions can be taken to arbitration after which districts can appeal to courts to make a final determination.

The new bill removes the ability to appeal that decision to district court. School board decisions, overturned by adjudicators, are regularly upheld by the courts.