Kansas teachers union files appeal in case against the state

The state’s largest teachers union has filed an appeal after its lawsuit against the state was dismissed last month.

The Kansas National Education Association says a 2014 law that eliminated a job protection for teachers is unconstitutional. The Legislature tied school funding to other education policies, which the KNEA says violates the one subject rule for legislation.

A Shawnee County judge dismissed the suit in June. This month, the union filed an appeal with the Kansas Court of Appeals.

The union wants to restore a requirement that schools must show cause at an administrative hearing before they can fire a teacher with three or more years of experience; many school districts kept this policy even after the state eliminated the mandate.

“I don’t think our argument has changed,” said David Schauner, the KNEA’s attorney. “We believe that it was multiple subjects. We believe that (House Bill) 2506 was in fact an appropriations bill and that the substantive changes to due process were not an appropriations bill matter. We think we’re right. That’s why we’re appealing it.”

Jennifer Rapp, spokeswoman for Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who represents the state, said in an e-mail that the district court made the right decision in dismissing the case last month and promised that Schmidt’s office “will continue to provide a vigorous defense of Kansas law” as the case goes before the Court of Appeals.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 4:09 PM with the headline "Kansas teachers union files appeal in case against the state."