Educators and teachers react to 'right-to-work' legislation passing State House and Senate

FERNDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) - Educators and teachers reacted to right-to-work legislation Thursday night just hours after it passed the State House and Senate, wondering how it will affect them and their students.

School districts like Oakland County already struggle to attract new teachers.  

“We talk to young people all the time who think that teaching is not going to be a good profession to come in to,” said Oakland County Superintendent Vickie Markavitch. She said passing right-to-work legislation will only be positive if it is good for the students.

“Anything that impacts our ability to attract the best and brightest into teaching will impact education for kids,” she said.

Parents we talked with like Rachel Murray worry it will create a negative atmosphere.

“I think that there is a good possibility that when teachers aren’t secure in their jobs then they’re not going to be secure in the classrooms teaching our children,” said Murray.

Her two children attend school in Ferndale.

“We need to make sure that they know that they’re valued and they are protected,” said Murray.

Regardless of how teachers are impacted, some don’t feel it will have an effect on students.

“I really don’t think that right to work really has much impact on what the teachers would do for the students,” said James Pfleger, a school board member of Ferndale Public Schools. “The common core curriculum is what all the teachers are aiming at.  Certainly, in the Ferndale School District our teachers are aiming at the kids education and improving scores and making sure kids get the education they need,” he said.