A bill removing teachers who have been convicted of major felonies was signed into law last Wednesday by Gov. Bob Riley.
The bill was filed in response to a Washington County teacher who was convicted of child enticement, but was still receiving pay while serving a prison sentence.
The bill affects K-12 schools, not colleges.
In order to prevent similar situations from occurring, the bill also says schools will "provide for the immediate cancellation of the employment contract of a teacher on continuing service status, a principal, or a contract principal and the immediate termination of employment of a non-probationary employee who is convicted of a felony or sex offense involving a child."
Principal Jason Wright of Auburn Junior High School said he thinks this bill is well overdue.
"We do not need to have convicted felons working on a daily basis with our children," Wright said.
Jacque Williams, a Pine Level Elementary School teacher in Autauga County, said she also thinks the bill is a good idea.
"I think school systems will be better for removing teachers who are not responsible role models for our children," Williams said.
Wright said the Washington County situation pointed out a flaw in the state's tenure system.
Wright said he hopes this bill will address tenure-related issues.
Williams also said she thinks the bill will begin the process of weeding out teachers who slack on the job, but remain employed because of the tenure system.
"Because our school systems have tenure, sometimes teachers who aren't doing their job are getting paid," Williams said. "While at the same time, teachers who could do a better job are unemployed because schools aren't hiring new teachers."
However the bill is not limited to sex-related offenses, Wright said.
"The new law covers Class-A felonies such as murder, first-degree rape, first-degree arson, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary," Wright said.
The law goes into effect immediately and impacts anyone holding a certificate, regardless of place of employment.
"Even though it seems somewhat harsh to weed out teachers, it's something that is long overdue," Williams said. "Our children deserve the best education they can get, and if that means removing some teachers and equipping schools with more effective teachers, then that's what's best."
Elizabeth Cook, a former teacher in the Alabama school system, said she's excited to see Alabama Legislature begin to take action in this particular area.
"I don't think we should pay somebody just because they're tenured," Cook said. "There should be limitations on it. There are so many people who have their teaching position just because they've been in the school system for three years."
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