It’s layoff season.
In May, more than 20,000 public school teachers and staff will learn if they’ve lost their jobs.
California protects teacher seniority by using a “last hired, first fired” policy.
And since new, young teachers are almost always first to go, we're in danger of losing a generation of teachers.
San Francisco and Oakland are challenging the seniority doctrine.
They argue students -- especially those in low-performing schools -- need the most effective teachers, regardless of seniority.
NBC Bay Area supports this change and endorses the idea of giving local districts greater discretion over how they spend -- and how they cut.
The rights of senior employees do need protection, but our schools’ first priority is to educate, and we think locally-elected school officials should have the flexibility to do what's best for students.
Let us know your views.