An emotional meeting of the House’s main education policy committee turned angry Thursday when Republicans on the panel cut debate short on a teacher merit pay bill and called for a vote before Democrats could try to amend the bill.
Several teachers were in the audience and some got to testify, others were cut off, angering them too. “This really is a sham,” said Rep. Marty Kiar, D-Davie. “A total miscarriage of justice,” added an angry Rep. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami.
The bill (PCB PT 10-02) passed the committee 9-6 after each side was given three minutes to debate the bill – and Democrats used up the entire three minutes complaining about the process.
Republican Rep. Will Weatherford alleged that the Democrats wanted to talk long enough to make Republicans look bad, which is why the bill needed to be voted on quickly.
House Democratic spokesman Mark Hollis acknowledged that Democrats on the committee wanted to slow the bill down – because it’s the only way the minority party has to try to prevent it. “The plan was to ensure people well understand the ramifications of this.”
The bill would make teacher pay based more on students’ test scores than on teacher tenure. Among the reasons Democrats oppose the bill are that it limits teachers to annual contracts, with no long term job protections, and makes standardized tests the main factor in determining salaries.
Opponents argue that means areas with disadvantaged children will have a harder time attracting teachers.
But Representative Will Weatherford said the bill is good for students – and there’s nothing wrong with demanding qualified educators. “We have to get out of the age-old idea that we pay based on tenure,” said Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “I understand it’s a hard thing to do, it’s a controversial thing to do, but it’s the right thing.”
Source: News Service Florida
