Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences. Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session thatMore >>
Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences. Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session thatMore >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in needMore >>
The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in needMore >>
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer bill legalizing home brewing. Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;More >>
In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer bill legalizing home brewing. Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;More >>
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. More >>
Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. More >>
Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer. Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. WhatMore >>
What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer. Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. WhatMore >>
Want to reply or make an editorial suggestion? Email Collin Gaston, V.P. & G.M. of WSFA 12 News.More >>
Want to reply or make an editorial suggestion? Email Collin Gaston, V.P. & G.M. of WSFA 12 News.More >>
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
This week the Governor's office said there isn't a need for a special session of the Legislature to address the looming retirement of thousands of teachers. The RSA predicts 1,800 to 2,000 teachers will retire on December 1st to avoid higher health insurance costs.
The Governor's office went on to say there is a solution to this. Indeed there are solutions but no guarantees. Under the state's retirement rules, teachers can go ahead with plans to retire on December 1st and become substitute teachers for the month of December or they can suspend their retirement and return to their classrooms on January 1st on temporary teaching contracts through the end of the school year.
Here's the issue – what's the plan IF those that have already raised their hand to retire don't like either of these options? What is our back up plan? Since we will not be convening a special session to come up with alternatives we need to know what we are going to do if – worst case scenario – none of the teachers respond to these options. That could mean 1,800 plus classrooms short a teacher before the Christmas break and local school officials scrambling for qualified substitutes.
We need to put this issue back on top of the pile and get MORE proactive solutions in place to guard against the unknown and serve the needs of our school children.