By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Governor Bob Riley has not yet said whether he will sign a proposal that would eliminate the State Tenure Commission. The Senate gave the measure final approval last night. It would create a new process for teachers to appeal their firings. Currently, commission decisions can be appealed to circuit court and then to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. The new proposal would eliminate the commission and create an officer who would hear a disputed school system firing. The legislation also would shorten the appeals process by sending cases directly to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.