Back to Basics

Two Tennessee lamakers have filed paperwork that would effectively render teacher unions in the state kaput. House Bill 130 sponsored by Rep. Debra Maggart, a Republican who represents Hendersonville, Gallatin and portions of Goodlettsville, and Rep. Glen Casada, Republican from College Grove, would prohibit “any local board of education from negotiating with a professional employees’ organization or teachers’ union concerning the terms or conditions of professional service on or after the effective date of this bill.” The report from The Tennessean indicates it will be up to Republican Governor Bill Hazlin and what his education agenda is.

It deserves to be supported.

…the bill would put the taxpayers back in charge of public education. Cash-strapped local school boards would be able to make spending decisions based on what’s best for children, instead of what will keep adult employees happy.

And keeping the teacher unions happy has proven to be an expensive enterprise. Labor costs typically consume 80 percent to 85 percent of a school’s total budget. A standard teacher contract includes lavish insurance and pension benefits, automatic annual pay raises for teachers (regardless of classroom performance), generous compensation for unused sick days and numerous other wasteful provisions.

Deep-sixing teachers’ collective bargaining privileges would mean that Tennessee’s school children will no longer be forced to settle for budget leftovers.

The bill is also just the beginning for reforming education in the state.

This group of state legislators also wants to end the practice of withholding union dues from teacher paychecks, and loosen the union’s power to appoint members to state boards.

Such bold measures would make Tennessee a leader in the education reform movement, alongside Indiana and New Jersey.

Anything to remove the power of the unions is a good thing. I’m glad Tennessee is leading the way.