Under SB 5744, teacher layoffs (RIFs) would be based on principal evaluations instead of experience. Also, the bill would allow a principal to reject a teacher for any reason, and the teacher could be fired six months later. WEA Lobbyist Lucinda Young testified against the bill, which she said “opens the door to ageism, sexism and racism.”
“There is no research demonstrating either proposal in the legislation helps students,” Young told the Senate education committee. “Instead, let’s work to fund laws already enacted such as TPEP, and fund McCleary and I-1351.”
Over the weekend, nearly 600 WEA members emailed Sen. Litzow to express their opposition to SB 5744.