Negotiations are continuing on Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s education reform bill as the two teachers unions try to get the bill more to their liking before a final vote in the state Senate.
The bill was up for third reading, passage, on Friday but negotiations, which took place Thursday night, continued in the morning hours. Senate Education Committee Chair Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, was absent from the morning floor session.
Senators agreed to push back discussion on the bill until an afternoon session but later met to put a vote on hold until next week, possibly as early as Monday.
Union groups aren’t happy with the provisions in the bill that would get rid of current teacher hiring practices. They are also concerned about adjustments in the school calendar.
Several senators voted against the bill during voice votes in the education and finance committees.
The Senate floor session is scheduled for Monday morning at 11 o’clock.