The Norman Transcript

Government

Discussion

February 27, 2013

Bill could end due process rights for school support personnel

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — State Sen. Earl Garrison says a bill approved in the Senate Education Committee will abolish due process rights for public school support staff.

Currently, those working in support positions are “at will” employees for their first year of employment. After that, they have limited due process rights. Senate Bill 230, which was approved Monday, would completely eliminate those rights.

Sen. John Sparks, D-Norman, also opposed the bill.

“There are about 40,000 Oklahomans who work in our public schools in support positions. They’re teachers’ aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and custodians, and they’re the lowest paid employees in our schools,” said Garrison, D-Muskogee. “Under current law, they at least have the right to tell the school board that hired them their side of the story before a termination is made final. That small right would be taken from them if this bill becomes law.”

Garrison said the Oklahoma State School Board Association requested SB 230.

“There are only about 15 school employees in a given year that take advantage of this right, so it can’t be that it takes up too much time or resources,” Garrison said. “Whatever the rationale, the bottom line is hard-working Oklahomans who are a big part of our schools are having an important right taken away from them. Teachers, parents and school patrons should be very concerned about what’s happening.”

Sen. John Ford chairs the committee. Sen. David Holt authored the bill.

Voting for the bill in committee were senators Holt, Josh Brecheen, Jim Halligan, Clark Jolley, Wayne Shaw, Stanislawski and Ford. Voting against were senators Sparks, Earl Garrison, Susan Paddack and Ron Sharp.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Government
  • Thousands jam roadways trying to get home

    People were running and walking, riding bicycling and careening through ditches on ATVs trying to get into neighborhoods in the Moore area Monday afternoon. History seemed to replay the events that once rocked this area when a tornado ...

    May 21, 2013

  • May rainfall below needed levels in state

    Norman residents looking for dry days to mow yards may think spring rains are coming frequently, but experts say those rains are less than central Oklahoma needs to pull itself out of the three-year-long drought. Lake Thunderbird’s ...

    May 19, 2013

  • Sixth annual Youth Soccer Camp starts this month

    The sixth annual Youth Soccer Camp at the Whittier Recreation Center runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 29 through June 31 for ages 6-12. All camps are co-ed. The deadline to sign up is Thursday....

    May 19, 2013

  • City water customer says site identifying high water users is misleading

    A social media website identifying Norman residents as high water users is factually misleading, according to one Norman homeowner who made the list....

    May 17, 2013

  • New room for new judge

    Cleveland County officials are reeling with excitement over the possibility of getting a new judge, but some modifications will have to be made at the courthouse. Fortunately, a courtroom is available....

    May 16, 2013

  • City plans to shore up Rainy Day Fund

    A request from McKinley Elementary for help funding a small section of road along the school’s west side will be put back into the proposed 2013 budget, Norman City Council members decided at Wednesday’s Finance Committee meeting. Council ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Treasurer and staff honored

    Cleveland County Treasurer Jim Reynolds and six deputy treasurers were honored at the County Treasurer’s Association of Oklahoma’s Annual School, recently hosted in Norman. The seven received certificates for completing various levels of ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Legislation prevents use of welfare for strip clubs and liquor

    Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation that would prohibit the use of welfare cash cards in strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos. Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, Senate Bill 667 would help ensure public assistance is ultimately being ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Sen. Inhofe secures water infrastructure victory

    U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, voted Wednesday in favor of S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013, which passed the Senate by a vote of 83-14. The bill ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Vote on high-density rezoning request postponed for fifth time

    Once again, a controversial high-density zoning project on Asp Avenue in Campus Corner was postponed at city hall Tuesday night. Norman residents who have showed up five times now said they are frustrated that the city council continues ...

    May 15, 2013