Performance trumps seniority for teachers in House vote

By April Hunt and Nancy Badertscher

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Seniority would no longer shield teachers from layoffs under legislation approved by the Georgia House on Monday.

Senate Bill 184 passed 141-29, and once the Senate signs off on minor changes, it will head to Gov. Nathan Deal to sign. The measure would require local school systems to use teacher performance as the primary factor when deciding layoffs. Length of service can be considered only after performance, as defined by each school district.

“None of us wanted school districts to be in a case where they have to reduce jobs, but if they do, we want them to be in a situation where it does not affect the education of children,” said Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, the sponsor of a similar measure in the House. “We want to keep the best teachers in the classroom.”

Opponents argued that the policy isn't necessary because job performance has been used as a factor in decisions on layoffs for years. They worry the issue draws focus away from school funding cuts that the state has made for years.

“One of the things I’m concerned about is that teachers in this state are compensated, secure and can educate our kids,” said Rep. Joe Heckstall, D-East Point, who voted against the change.

Financially struggling school districts have laid off hundreds, even thousands, over the past few years. That has led to closer scrutiny of last-hired- first-fired policies.

The question hit Georgia last year, when as many as 9,000 of the state's 125,000 teachers were projected to lose their jobs to budget cuts.

More than 100 of Georgia's 180 school systems already account for factors beyond seniority when making decisions about who to let go. But lawmakers who pushed for the change talked about stories in some districts where top-performing teachers were laid off because length of service took precedence.

"I think we are ensuring the state dollars are spent in a way that provides a quality education for all students," said Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, R-Milton, who supported the bill.

Opponents worried that a focus on performance would force educators to "teach to the test." That, they said, could lead to teachers relying only on strong student achievement results on state tests to show quality, instead of other factors.

"I definitely agree with the goal, which is to improve teachers," said Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, who voted for the bill. "But I have some concerns about the process."