Legislators OK unpaid suspensions for teachers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The House Education Committee has advanced two more bills that tighten policies on teachers or other school district employees.

One would make it OK to suspend teachers charged with a felony without pay. They currently must be paid in such a situation.

The other bill would require schools and other public employers to reveal the reason for payouts greater than $10,000 to any dismissed employees. Rep. Pam Myhra says schools and public employers are currently required to do so only if the settlement is related to solving a dispute.

Myhra said the bill was introduced in response to the nearly $255,000 severance that the Burnsville school district paid to an administrator. District officials have refused to reveal the reason, saying it would violate privacy laws.