Here’s a bill we almost missed: House Bill 1668 would eliminate tenure for teachers and “educational officers” (think along the lines of principals and complex area superintendents).

(a) Beginning with contracts negotiated for the contract period beginning July 1, 2013, any collective bargaining contract made between the exclusive representative of bargaining units (5) and (6) and a public employer shall not result in the vesting of tenure or continued expectations of employment in an employment relationship.

(b) Any member of bargaining units (5) or (6) with tenured status shall lose such status as of the expiration of the collective bargaining contract covering the 2011-2012 contract period.

It also repeals Hawaii Revised Statutes 302A-609, which outlines causes for discharge or demotion and preferred eligibility lists.

Sounds like House Education Chairman Roy Takumi and Vice Chairwoman Della Au Belatti are trying to pave the way for a new teacher and principal evaluation system. See a related bill in the governor’s package, which would allow the Department of Education to establish a performance management system.

Both bills will have their first hearings at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 in House conference room 309.

UPDATE 4:18 p.m.: An earlier version of this post began with, “Here’s a bill that tried to slip in the back door.”

Takumi and Belatti gave me a hard time about choosing that language, so I changed it, and here’s why. They make a good argument: “Back door,” to lawmakers, refers to slipping something in very late in the legislative session during conference meetings.

Belatti made sure we understood that on this issue, she and the chairman are willing to stick their necks out.