The 2012 General Assembly got off to a quick start Monday from Republicans, pushing through two education bills over objections from minority Democrats that they hadn’t received a proper airing. The Senate gave passage to bills prohibiting local school districts from firing teachers based on seniority and giving the state school superintendent the authority to hire his own staff.

The Republican-controlled Senate and state House of Representatives had passed both measures last year, but the two chambers hadn’t agreed on House changes to the bills before the 2011 session was gaveled to a close.

The teacher bill, which took up the lion’s share of Monday’s debate, prohibits local school systems from relying strictly on a `last-hired-first-fired` policy in trimming their payrolls without giving consideration to performance.

Both measures now go to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

Coosa Valley News