Kansas legislators are considering major changes in a state law governing contract negotiations between teachers and school districts, prompting the state’s largest teachers union to complain of what it calls a “war” on educators.
Kansas National Education Association President Karen Godfrey said Monday the bill before the House commerce committee would hurt public schools. A hearing on the measure is set for Wednesday.

The committee’s chairman, Overland Park Republican Marvin Kleeb, says proponents of the bill want to give school districts more flexibility and encourage innovation.

Under the measure, fewer issues would be subject to negotiations between teachers’ groups and local school boards, but they would still include pay.

School boards wouldn’t have to negotiate how teachers are evaluated or the number of classes they must teach must per day.