Montgomery, AL – Republicans plan to give priority to a bill that would stop Alabama teachers from continuing to receive pay and benefits while in prison on felony convictions that they are appealing.
The bill would amend the state's teacher tenure law, which was changed in 2004 with the backing of the Alabama Education Association. AEA's chief lobbyist, Paul Hubbert, said he agrees that a teacher in prison should not be paid, but he wants to make sure the dismissal process is fair.
Rep. Chad Fincher of Semmes said he is prefiling a bill in the Alabama House this week that would immediately halt payments to a public school teacher when convicted of a felony. GOP leaders say it will get priority in the session that starts Jan. 12.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)