teachers

Teacher Bargaining Rights Bills Shelved

Stephen Koranda — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:50:06 +0000

Two bills that would have cut back teachers' bargaining rights have been shelved for this session.

Top Morning News 3.22.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 10:43:33 +0000

Senate approves $14B budget; Bill would allow open carry anywhere in Kansas; Committee authorizes bonds to pay KPERS debt.

Kansas Senate Approves $14B Budget

The Kansas Senate has given final approval to a $14 billion budget for the next fiscal year.

Thursday's 24-16 vote sends the measure to the House, which approved its own budget bill Wednesday. Negotiators from the two chambers are expected to begin meeting next week to work out a final version.

Kan. House Committee Takes Up Union Bargaining Bill

Stephen Koranda — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:05:59 +0000

A Kansas House committee has heard from supporters and opponents of a bill that would limit the bargaining rights of teachers.

The legislation would cut back on the items school districts are required to negotiate with unions from more than two dozen to five. Supporters of the change say it will allow administrators to allocate resources and respond to demands on the education system.

Ken Willard is a member of the Kansas Board of Education and he headed a school efficiency task force created by Gov. Sam Brownback.

Top Morning News 3.07.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:26:32 +0000

House Committee hears teacher bargaining bill; Panel to take up anti-abortion bill; Senior Services holding 31st annual job fair.

Kansas House Committee Takes Up Union Bargaining Bill

A Kansas House committee heard from supporters and opponents of a bill Wednesday that limits teacher's bargaining rights. The legislation would cut the items school districts are required to negotiate with unions from more than two dozen to five.

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Kansas House Considers Bill Limiting Teacher's Negotiation Rights

Kate Clause and Associated Press — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 20:31:52 +0000

Kansas legislators returned from a four-day break Wednesday to discuss a bill that would narrow contract negotiations between teachers and public school districts.

Substitute House Bill 2027 has been criticized by as an "attack on educators" by the Kansas National Education Association.

Lawmakers To Take Up Bill That Would Limit Teacher Bargaining

Associated Press — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:04:44 +0000

Kansas legislators are considering major changes in a state law governing contract negotiations between teachers and school districts, prompting the state's largest teachers union to complain of what it calls a "war" on educators.

Kansas National Education Association President Karen Godfrey said Monday the bill before the House commerce committee would hurt public schools. A hearing on the measure is set for Wednesday.

Top Morning News 3.05.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:18:18 +0000

Lawmakers to consider bill that limits teacher's bargaining rights; Man enters plea in Wichita child exploitation case; Workshop teaches digital skills.

Lawmakers To Take Up Bill That Would Limit Teacher Bargaining

Kansas legislators are considering major changes in a state law governing contract negotiations between teachers and school districts. The state's largest teacher's union is calling it a "war" on educators.

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Kan. Teacher's Union Objects To Bill That Limits Bargaining

Stephen Koranda — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:47:20 +0000

The union representing teachers in Kansas says its members were prevented from offering their opinion on a bill that affects unions. The bill would scale back some of the mandatory bargaining rights of teachers.

Currently, the negotiations process between the union and a school district includes lots of items. They are required to negotiate how teachers are evaluated and the process for firing a teacher, among other things.

Top Morning News 3.01.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 11:00:56 +0000

KS House advances change in judicial selection; Teacher's union objects to bill that limits bargaining; Thousands expected to turnout for Mission of Mercy.

Kan. House Advances Change In Judicial Selection Process

The Kansas House has given first-round approval to a bill that changes how appeals court judges are selected. The bill allows the governor to appoint the judges, who would then be confirmed by the state Senate.

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Bill Would Limit Collective Bargaining For Teachers

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:37:07 +0000

A bill in the House would limit the bargaining rights of teachers in Kansas.

A committee heard from supporters and opponents of the bill Tuesday. Supporters of the measure want administrators to have more flexibility to hire, fire and assign teachers.