Education Minnesota responds to Vergara ruling

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ST. PAUL, Minn. Aug. 22, 2016 – The California Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a legal challenge to the state's laws governing due process rights and layoff regulations, effectively ending the lawsuit with the laws intact.

A very similar lawsuit, called Forslund, has been filed in Minnesota. A Ramsey County district court judge is currently considering arguments to dismiss the complaint.

"We're relieved due process protections remain in place for our colleagues in California," said Education Minnesota President Denise Specht. "Focusing on due process and locally bargained layoff regulations is a distraction from the real priority, ensuring that every child is prepared for a successful life. Minnesota must concentrate on issues that will affect students, including expanding access to high-quality preschool and full-service community schools. We're also facing a teacher shortage in Minnesota and should find ways to recruit and retain more teachers, especially teachers of color. There are much more serious issues facing Minnesota schools than denying due process protections to teachers."

About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota is the voice for professional educators and students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and education support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.