Wardlow, Anderson Vote to End "Last In, First Out" Standards for Teachers

A proposal that would end seniority-based layoffs for Minnesota teachers got the support of Eagan legislators Rep. Doug Wardlow (R) and Rep. Diane Anderson (R) on Thursday.

The Minnesota House of Representatives voted 70-61 last week to approve the proposal, which was originally authored by Andover Rep. Branden Petersen (R).

It was the second time the House voted on the proposal; the bill was intially passed on Feb. 16, but was returned with an amendment by the Senate in March.

The bill seeks to remedy so-called "last in, first out" rules by requiring school districts to lay off teachers based on their licensure field and most recent evaluation results, rather than seniority. Proponents of the bill say that the "last in, first out" standard hurts student achievement because districts can lose more effective but less experienced teachers during layoffs. Opponents criticized the bill as a thinly-veiled attack on teaching unions in the state.

Minnesota is one of 11 states using "last in, first out" policies, according to a press release issued by Sen. Ted Daley (R), who is listed as a co-author on the Senate's companion bill. If signed into law, the bill would take effect in the 2016-17 school year.

The amended bill will once again proceed to the Senate and, if passed, to Gov. Mark Dayton's desk. Dayton has promised to veto the bill.