Boston Public Schools reaches tentative contract agreement

BOSTON - The Boston Public Schools reached a tentative three-year contract with the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) this week. Mayor Thomas M. Menino, School Committee Chair Elizabeth Reilinger, Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant and BTU President Richard Stutman joined together Wednesday night to announce the initial agreement.

As a result, the union will not move forward with its one-day strike, and schools will be open for all students and staff on Tuesday, March 23.

In announcing the agreement, Mayor Menino said that he was thankful for the work of the BPS and BTU and the help that Thomas Birmingham provided in bringing the two sides together.

"I believe this is a fair and equitable contract and one that benefits both the city and the teachers," he said. "This is a credit to all of the hard work that the school department and teachers union have put in over the past few months, and a great example of what can happen when both sides sit down to negotiate."

"The success of Boston's education reform efforts during the past ten years are due in large part to a strong partnership between the district and the teachers union," Dr. Reilinger added. "This contract agreement marks the beginning of the next chapter in our work together on behalf of the students of this city."

The terms of the agreement show that consensus was reached through compromise from both parties.

Superintendent Payzant said that his main priorities were maintained in this agreement, including the preservation of three professional development days plus an additional 18 hours of required professional development time for all teachers every year. It also includes an opportunity for increased training time to implement the Collaborative Coaching and Learning model that currently provides peer support for teachers.

Additionally, the agreement allows more flexibility for the Superintendent to make decisions required to improve schools that are declared under-performing. Specifically, the contract will allow for a mandatory 20 hours of professional development for all teachers in such declared schools.

"Both sides worked very hard to complete the contract, and I think we were able to strike the right balance between our interests and the union's," said Superintendent Payzant. "To get closure, both sides had to compromise but, ultimately, this contract is positive for students and teachers and is affordable for the city."

The total compensation package equals $64 million, including a 2% increase in the first year of the contract followed by a 2.5% increase in the second and a 2% increase in September of the third year with an additional 1% increase in January and another 1% in April. There are also opportunities for further salary increases that provide incentives for teachers to continue their education and pursue advanced degrees.

The BTU negotiating team presented the terms of the agreement to its Executive Board on Thursday. They are expected to bring the contract to the entire membership in early April for its review and approval.