MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - The majority of Louisiana school boards have approved a way to lay-off teachers and administrators in the event of financial crisis.
The policy change means teachers with seniority will no longer have the advantage during a reduction in force or RIF.
A local teachers' organization disagrees with the change, saying teacher evaluations should be done on a set schedule and not during economic crisis.
"A RIF is used to effectuate the economies of a school district," says Angela Miller, Louisiana Association of Educators, "it is not used to evaluate whether you have good employees or poor employees."
According to the Louisiana Department of Education, 94 percent of school districts have approved the change in the system. "Last in, First out" was the previous policy, meaning teachers with seniority had an advantage.
The new procedure will evaluate teachers and administration based on demand, performance, and effectiveness.
The Monroe City School Board voted in favor of this change.
"I'm totally in favor of the change. You should never put seniority over the quality of someone's work," says Vickie Dayton, Monroe City School Board member, "We want to do everything we can to keep good teachers in our schools. Of course, we are still open minded to the concerns of the Louisiana Association of Educators."
Miller says the Association of Educators has plans to meet with several school board they serve about the policy changes.
For more information about the RIF changes, visit the Louisiana Department of Education web site.
