Department of Education wants to waive Teacher Fair Dismissal Act for LRSD

Negotiations between Little Rock School District teachers and the Arkansas Department of Education have taken a turn for the worse.

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Negotiations between Little Rock School District teachers and the Arkansas Department of Education have taken a turn for the worse.

The Little Rock Education Association, a union representing teachers, said as amended they cannot accept the new terms presented by ADE’s commissioner.

Commissioner Johnny Key wants to do away with the teacher fair dismissal act, as well as the Public School Employee Fair Hearing Act, for the schools in academic distress.

LREA President, Teresa Knapp Gordon, said they will not accept this and if Key isn't willing to back down a strike vote could be taken by members of the union.

"That waiver would essentially do away with due process for teachers and staff,” said Knapp Gordon. “Meaning, an administrator could walk in to a classroom of a teacher he or she didn't like and say, you're done get your stuff and go home you're fired and that would be the end. No hearing, no appeal, nothing."

Negotiations began in August and an agreement between teachers and the LRSD’s Superintendent, Michael Poore, was made. Yet, this month Key amended that agreement to waive the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act for 22 schools in academic distress.

“The district and principals would have greater flexibility in making staffing decisions, staffing changes, as they move forward getting ready for the 19' school year,” Key said.

"The teachers and staff have gone to work and done their job every day. they have continued to support the children of our district, they have continued to do the hard work,” added Knapp Gordon.

But Key said the poor performance results speak for themselves.

"There's something else that's missing and looking at the structures that are in place to move this school district forward, this is one of those impediments to moving forward," added Key.

The deadline for this contract agreement is at the end of October. Knapp Gordon told KATV the union members could either vote to go back to the negotiation table or strike. Key told KATV he will not back down on his directive.