Bill Would Stop Convicted Teachers From Collecting A Paycheck

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - A state representative from Semmes has
started drafting legislation that would end pay for teachers who
are convicted of felonies or crimes involving children.
Under the proposal from Republican state Rep. Chad Fincher,
those teachers would immediately be fired upon conviction and they
would lose their pay.
Fincher said the bill was inspired by the case of former
Washington County teacher Charlene Schmitz, who is in federal
prison and continues to draw pay more than a year after she was
convicted of luring a student for sex.
Under Alabama's teacher tenure act, those who appeal their
firings get arbitration hearings and pay must continue until the
abribtrator rules. But teachers who are accused of crimes can't
have those hearings until all criminal proceedings are done.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)