I think a lot of people have the wrong idea about the problem the legislature caused by stripping teachers of their due process rights. Underperforming teachers do not have a "job for life". First, they can be non-renewed in the first 3 years without cause. Second, administrators have a process that they can follow to remove poor teachers from their positions. Due process just means that teachers cannot be arbitrarily non-renewed without cause.
With the funding problems in schools, it is a real concern that an inexperienced teacher could replace a veteran teacher simply because that veteran teacher is making the big bucks (ha). A new administrator could be hired and arbitrarily remove teachers to make room for teachers that he or she wants. Teachers have yearly contracts, which never seemed like a big deal to me before this. Now, I could have been teaching at a school for years, had excellent reviews, parent and student support, no disciplinary issues, and....boom. Just like that, my contract could be non-renewed.
I like to think that I was a pretty good teacher, and it makes me sad that as I've been trying to decide when to go back to work, I'm pretty sure that I won't be seeking a job in the classroom. I adored my students and their families, but knowing that it could all be ripped away for any arbitrary reason...sad. And yes, I'm aware that I used the word arbitrarily a few too many times in this post, but unfortunately, that is the reality.