Why Memphis teachers say a new bill could silence their voices
Tennessee’s proposed House Bill 2226 could end teachers’ formal role in pay and workplace discussions, raising significant concerns among educators and legislators.
MEMPHIS, Tenn — Teachers across Memphis are raising concerns about a proposed bill that could eliminate their guaranteed role in discussions with school leaders about pay, benefits and working conditions.
Under current law, teachers may form or join professional organizations and participate in “collaborative conferencing”, a process that requires school boards to meet with educators to discuss workplace issues, giving teachers a formal seat at the table.
House Bill 2226 would end collaborative conferencing altogether.
The legislation would remove requirements for school boards and teachers to meet, even informally, and would allow districts to refuse requests for discussions. It would instead prevent any collaborative conferencing from happening. It would also change rules about who can access school sites and under what conditions, limiting the role of professional employees’ organizations.
Supporters of the bill said the goal is to broaden communication, not restrict it.
“It’s just allowing not one group to dominate the conversations,” the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Aron Maberry, said. “Our school districts will be able to connect through a voluntary consultation process directly with teachers, not from one group.”
But the proposal has drawn criticism from both lawmakers and educators.
“Why would we not want teachers and the district to work together to ensure the working conditions are good for everyone?” said state Rep. Ronnie Glynn, questioning the need for the change.
Teachers in Memphis said the bill would strip them of a critical voice in decisions that directly affect their classrooms.
“It’s pretty much just taking away the rights,” said Charlotte Fields, the President of the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association (M-SCEA), said. “Without this voice — or shutting down teacher voices collectively — how do we improve our schools?”
Educators and community members are now urging others to speak out.
“We need our educators, our community leaders, our parents, to make phone calls, email the individuals,” Rosemary Winters, a teacher and member of MSCEA, said.
In addition to ending collaborative conferencing, the bill would remove the requirement that specific topics — including salaries and benefits — be discussed, meaning those conversations would no longer be guaranteed.
The measure was deferred in the House Education Committee and is scheduled to be reconsidered next week.
If passed, any agreements already in place would remain until they expire, but no new agreements could be created after July 1.