Kansas Panel Takes Up Teacher Bargaining Bill

Kansas legislators are returning from a four-day break to consider a bill that would narrow contract negotiations between teachers and public school districts.

The proposal has been criticized by the Kansas National Education Association as part of a broader attack on teachers. A House committee scheduled a hearing on it Wednesday.

The bill would reduce the number of issues that teachers could negotiate with local school boards. For example, teachers could still negotiate such things as pay and sick leave, but not performance evaluations.

Committee Chairman Marvin Kleeb, an Overland Park Republican, says he’s open to suggestions from all sides for changing the measure. He says supporters are seeking innovation in public schools by giving local boards more flexibility.