Alaska News

Jury duty exemption proposed for teachers during school year

JUNEAU -- The House Education Committee has heard a bill that would exempt teachers from jury duty during the school year.

Currently, teachers at low performing schools are exempt, but the bill from Rep. Jim Colver would extend that to all teachers.

Nancy Meade from the court system said judges usually are willing to defer a teacher's service until summer and recognize that removing a teacher from the classroom is a hardship.

Educators testified in favor of the exemption and said it would ensure they could remain in their classrooms. Some said they have had difficulty receiving a deferral.

The committee discussed whether they want to defer teachers until school is out or exempt them entirely. No action was taken.

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