ATLANTA (February 23, 2012) — Senate Bill 153, sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), has passed the Senate 51-0 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill requires that written documentation be provided to teachers, administrators, and contract employees who have been terminated or suspended only for financial reasons, specifying such as the reason for their termination or suspension.
“These tough economic times have reached into every community, every business, and effected every profession- especially our educators. It is an unfortunate circumstance when an educator must be let go due to no fault of their own, and we must do everything in our power to help clear the path for future employment,” said Majority Leader Chip Rogers. “Educators are the front line in our fight for excellent education and we must make sure our laws protect them.”
This legislation ensures that should a teacher, administrator, or other employee with a definite term contract be terminated or suspended due to a reduction in staff resulting from the loss of students or cancellation of programs and through no fault of his or her own, the local unit of administration must specify in writing to that employee that the termination or suspension is due to no fault or performance issues of the employee. The purpose of this is to ensure that the potential future employers of teachers who have been terminated only for financial reasons do not incorrectly assume that their termination was due to poor performance.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 24, 2012
Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
natalie.dale@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028