Judge Rules Seniority Should Be Part of Teacher Hiring Practice

Should teachers be hired based on criteria developed by school committees or seniority as outlined in union contracts? 

That's the issue currently being debated in an ongoing dispute between the Portsmouth School Committee and the Portsmouth National Education Association (NEA) teachers' union. 

On Wednesday, a Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the teachers' unions and that the issue must be taken to the State Labor Board, reports The Providence Journal. 

The Portsmouth School Committee has been working to "eliminate seniority as the dominate factor in teacher hiring, promotion, transfer, and layoff," wrote Jeffrey Plumb, chairman of the Portsmouth Republican Town Committee, to Portsmouth Patch in June. 

The movement to eliminate seniority as a leading factor is part of a national effort, said Plumb. 

"Secretary of Education Arne Duncan believes that the seniority and tenure rules are a system designed to put the needs of adults ahead of children," Plumb wrote.

"...The Portsmouth Republican Town Committee supports the actions of the Portsmouth School Committee and encourages our political leaders to continue this fight for the future successes of our children. Our children should not be deprived of the benefits of having the most highly effective teachers assigned to the classroom."

In response to Plumb's letter, users offered their opinions: 

I welcome this change. It is LONG overdue. — wrote

People of Portsmouth, be very clear that Mr. Plumb is the Republican Chair, and is compelled to provide empty rhetoric that turns people off to politics. He is trying to SPIN the story to cover a costly and tactical mistake. — wrote 

According to the Journal, the school committee now plans to take the case to the state Supreme Court. 

What do you think about this issue? Should teachers be hired based on School Committee criteria or seniority protections in union contracts? And should the school committee continue to push this fight?