Minnesota Lawyer
Branden Petersen (Staff photo: Peter Bartz-Gallagher)
The House passed the central education issue of the legislative session 68-61.
The bill would eliminate state law that directs school districts to terminate teachers with the least seniority during rounds of teacher layoffs. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. Branden Petersen, R-Andover, received near-unanimous support from Republicans and one vote from a DFLer, Rep. Kate Knuth of New Brighton. Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, and Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, voted nay.
House Majority Leader Matt Dean, R-Dellwood, said Minnesota is among a dwindling number of states that have so-called “last in, first out” or “LIFO” laws in the books.
“Are we going to be the last state in the country that says we’re going to be quality blind when we look at teachers?” Dean said.
Teachers unions have opposed the bill and argued experienced teachers should be retained in layoffs. Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher blasted House Republicans in a news release.
“It’s disappointing the House has passed this bill, which does nothing to address the real challenges facing our schools,” Dooher said. “But it will make it easier for districts to shed seasoned teachers for their less-experienced, less-expensive colleagues. This is not about student learning, it’s about budget cutting.”
The bill now awaits action in the Senate.
