Under current law, a professional employee dismissed by the local school board is afforded the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The Secretary then reviews the appeal to affirm, modify, or even reverse the board’s action.

Locally elected school boards are best positioned to decide the personnel matters in their districts. In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would remove the statutory right of appeal to the Secretary of Education, leaving decisions related to employment subject to the local school board’s procedures and other remedies available under applicable law.

School boards are elected by, and accountable, to the communities they serve. The current system places the final authority with officials in Harrisburg who may have no direct knowledge of the local circumstances that led to the termination. Returning full responsibility to local boards reinforces the principle of local control.

Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation.