The Boston Public Schools (BPS) proposals for the contract seek more flexibility for our schools to allow them to compete and to meet the high standards of MCAS and the high expectations of Boston's families for their children.
The proposals of the BPS and the Boston Teachers' Union (BTU) differ mainly on the issues of class size, the teacher hiring process, teacher salary increases and professional development.
Will the BPS reduce class size? Yes. Over the past two years, the BPS has invested $2.5 million to reduce class size. The district is proposing further class size reductions in kindergarten and grades 1-3. Research has proven that the impact on student achievement is greatest in these early grades. The BPS will continue to look for strategies to reduce class sizes in the upper grades. How does BPS propose to change the teacher hiring process? The proposal would give schools the flexibility to fill a vacancy with the best person for the job -- whether a veteran teacher, an experienced teacher new to Boston, or a new teacher. Currently, during prime teacher recruitment time in the spring, schools cannot rehire a first-year teacher or hire an experienced teacher from outside Boston if any veteran Boston teacher wants the open position, regardless of who best fits the position. Ideally a school has a mix of both new and veteran teachers.
Will any BPS teachers lose seniority? No. Under BPS proposals, no teacher will lose seniority. No teacher will lose a job. No teacher will have a cut in pay or lose any additional benefits. No teacher will be assigned to a non-teaching position. Would the proposal change who participates in hiring decisions at the schools? No. Every school has a committee (made up of two teachers, a parent and the principal) that makes hiring decisions. This would not change. How would this proposal improve the hiring process? Last spring, about 4% of Boston's 4,600 teachers sought new teaching assignments. Under the current contract, no school can offer any candidate from outside the system a position until every one of these current teachers has been placed - a process which takes months. As a result, Boston is often unable to compete with districts that can hire earlier. The BPS proposal would open and streamline the process to help schools make offers earlier and attract the best candidates.
How do Boston's teacher salaries compare to other districts'? Boston's teacher salaries are highly competitive. The entry level salary of a Boston teacher is the highest in the state. The average salary is $55,942, up 27% since 1994. And Boston teachers climb to the top of the pay scale in 8 years, compared to 13 or more years in most other districts in the state. What is the BPS proposing for teacher salary increases? The BPS is proposing an increase in teacher salaries (and health and welfare benefits) of at least 9% over three years. The BPS would also increase the top rung of the teachers' pay scale by at least $1,000. Nearly 80% of Boston's teachers would benefit. The cost of the BPS proposal for salary increases is $78 million over 3 years. The cost of the BTU proposal is $114 million.
What is the proposal for professional development for teachers? The BPS invests in the training of its most valuable resource -- its employees. The BPS proposes adding 10 hours per year (or 1 hour per month) of staff training to the current 31 hours of training teachers receive (beyond the contract day). Teachers would receive more pay for this time. What if the union votes to strike? Strikes by public employees are illegal in Massachusetts. The school department is committed to continuing negotiations to reach agreement. If the teachers' union votes to strike, all schools will be closed for students. 
