The largest teachers union in the state is asking the Kansas Supreme Court to overturn a law making it easier to fire teachers. The 2014 bill took away a teacher’s right to an impartial hearing before being fired.
At the court Tuesday, the union said lawmakers violated the state Constitution, which says bills can only contain one subject. KNEA General Counsel David Schauner says lawmakers improperly took a school funding bill and added the provision stripping tenure.
“There was never a hearing on this employment bill. It was never a bill. In the 11th hour, literally 2:00 in the morning, this provision appeared,” says Schauner.
Solicitor General Stephen McAllister, arguing for the state, says lawmakers acted properly because all the provisions of the bill are related.
“KNEA cannot really make an argument that everything in HB2506 does not really relate to education. It does,” says McAllister.
Justices haven’t said when they might hand down their ruling in the lawsuit.
KPR's Stephen Koranda was at the hearing and has this report: