[Note: Links and materials referenced in an archived posting may have expired.]

Romney's bill on underperforming schools effectively "killed"

Update on H. 4544, Governor Romney's proposed bill, "to improve school performance by implementing recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on state intervention in under-performing districts." 

At the Legislature's Education Committee Hearing on March 16, the MTA testified against H. 4544.  At that time, many members of the committee expressed serious concern about the bill.  However, immediately following the hearing, the committee voted in favor of a redraft of S. 223, a bill "expediting school improvement," attaching the governor's bill to the redraft.  S. 223 was then reported favorably to the Senate.

The effect of this action is that the governor's bill (H. 4544) is no longer actively being considered by the Legislature.  MTA is pleased that the Committee has effectively "killed" the governor's proposal for this session. 

However, MTA is very concerned about some of the provisions of S. 223, which we believe could have significant effects on teachers in underperforming schools, including the potential abrogation of collective bargaining provisions around staff assignment and salary provisions. Although these provisions are already contained in current law once a school or district has been declared "chronically underperforming," our concern is that S. 223 would allow these provisions to go into effect well before a designation of "chronically underperforming." 
 
 Some of the changes that would be allowed once a school has been declared underperforming, but before the development of an improvement plan or time to effectuate the plan, as allowed under current law, include allowing the superintendent to: 

• reassign staff
• convert school to pilot or Horace Mann charter,
• make managerial and governance changes,
• and make unilateral salary changes.
   

S. 223 raises other serious concerns.  Specifically, some of the language is extremely vague and general.  For example, the bill's phrase "unable to participate effectively in the improvement plan" is not defined, and yet, if staff is found wanting by this definition, certain rights may be adversely affected.  Also, the principal in underperforming schools is given "extraordinary powers," which term is also not defined in the bill.

The MTA is very concerned about the some of theprovisions of S. 223 and we therefore oppose this bill.  We ask that you contact your state senator to ask them to OPPOSE S. 223.