Tennessee Senate Bill SB1190

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 5, Part 6, relative to the Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing Act of 2011.

Impact

The revisions outlined in SB1190 are expected to streamline collaborative conferencing procedures, which could improve labor relations between educators and local boards of education. By redefining 'management personnel' and altering voting eligibility terminology, the bill encourages a more defined and efficient negotiation process. This could lead to quicker resolutions in labor discussions, potentially impacting teacher contracts and educational governance in Tennessee significantly.

Summary

Senate Bill 1190 seeks to amend the Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing Act of 2011 in Tennessee. Key modifications include terminological clarifications regarding 'management personnel' and adjustments to the procedures for establishing a memorandum of understanding between educational management and employees. These amendments aim to simplify existing regulations and enhance clarity in the collaborative process between the education boards and staff representatives.

Contention

While the bill primarily focuses on procedural enhancements, there may be concerns about how these changes affect the rights of educators during negotiations. Potential critiques could stem from fears that redefining terms and altering vote structures might inadvertently limit educators' negotiating power or the transparency of the conferencing process. Stakeholders including teachers and education advocates may express reservations about ensuring adequate representation of teachers' interests in the modified framework outlined by the bill.