Governor Wolf Vetoes Bill To Curb Use Of Seniority In Teacher Layoffs

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is rejecting a bill that would have limited the use of seniority when school districts have to lay off teachers.

The bill he vetoed Wednesday It passed the Republican-controlled Legislature with just one Democratic lawmaker supporting it.

It would have required schools that lay off educators to start with those rated as failing or in need of improvement first. State law requires districts to start with the teachers who were hired most recently.

But Wolf says the bill relies too heavily on a single score from the state's 4-year-old system of teacher evaluation. He says a broader evaluation system should be used.

Cumberland County Republican Rep. Stephen Bloom, the bill's prime sponsor, says Wolf's veto leaves in place policies that can force out high quality teachers.