COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Gov. Nikki Haley has vetoed legislation exempting teacher evaluations from public disclosure.
The Republican governor says she recognizes the bill’s intent is to protect sensitive information and promote a more candid evaluation process. But she contends the bill is too broad.
The one-sentence bill exempts educator evaluations with “personally identifiable information” from the state’s public records law.
Haley says that allows school districts to withhold any record related to an evaluation, including information on teacher misconduct she says should be publicly available.
Overriding her veto would take two-thirds approval in both chambers.
The bill passed the House unanimously last year. The Senate passed it 35-1 two weeks ago.
Haley says she’s working with state Superintendent Molly Spearman on legislation that would protect teachers’ privacy while also allowing “reasonable public access.”
