A ruling by a North Carolina Superior Court that strikes down the so-called “25 percent law” aimed at ending teacher tenure is being praised as a victory for teachers, including those in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

“The general consensus is – in education circles here and our district and throughout the state – that this was not well thought-out,” says Jeff Nash, Executive Director of Community Relations for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools.

“It’s something that was going to be harmful to education. So we’re certainly glad to see the judge rule the way that he did.”

Nash praised Friday’s ruling by Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood that a recent state law ending job protections for veteran teachers is unconstitutional.

The so-called “25 percent law” compels school districts to pick the best 25 percent of its teachers to receive four-raise contracts, plus a $5,000 raise.

Teachers, however, would lose tenure rights that were promised after four years on the job.

Nash says the popularity of the new law among Chapel Hill-Carrboro teachers can perhaps be illustrated by how many teachers signed up to be considered for the contracts when the opportunity was offered.

“Out of our hundreds of teachers who are eligible, we had 10 who wanted to be put on the list,” says Nash. “Teachers don’t want to be put on that list. They don’t want to be part of this.”

The judge’s ruling does not apply to teachers who haven’t yet worked four years. According to The Associated Press, Republican Senator Phil Berger, the President Pro tempore of the State Senate, promises that Hobgood’s ruling will be appealed.