TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas House committee is considering a bill that would let professional associations approach teachers and public school staff who might be interested in their services.
Kansas law now requires districts to grant full access to teachers only to the designated “professional education organization” that negotiates teachers’ contracts.
The executive director of the Kansas Association of American Educators testified for the bill Monday before the House Education Committee. Garry Sigle said his organization isn’t seeking to negotiate teacher contracts, just provide teachers information about other services.
The Kansas Supreme Court has labeled Sigle’s group a professional education organization. The bill before the committee would change the law to require districts to grant access to all PEOs, even those merely seeking to distribute information.
The Kansas National Education Association opposes the bill.
