James Paul, Senior Policy Analyst For The Commonwealth Foundation

The Total Tutor Neil Haley will interview  James Paul, Senior Policy Analyst For The Commonwealth Foundation.

Today, the Senate Education Committee passed SB 494 banning “ghost teachers” who drain resources from public schools to work full-time for teachers’ unions.

A Commonwealth Foundation analysis of Pennsylvania’s 500 school district contracts reveals up to 198 former district employees may work full-time for the teachers’ union while remaining on public payroll.

These ghost teachers are teachers in name only; many haven’t taught in decades and will never return to the classroom. In some cases, ghost teachers receive taxpayer-funded salaries, gain seniority, and accrue pension and health benefits while working for a private organization. This practice is sometimes called “release time” or "union release."

“This is a blatant misuse of resources meant to educate children,” commented James Paul, senior policy analyst for the Commonwealth Foundation. “The full senate should act on this legislation to ensure every public education dollar is benefitting students, not special interests.”