Rapid reform gets approval from joint resolution committee

BOSTON – A joint resolution committee has issued a decision that allows Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson to extend the school day in 12 schools designated as “turnaround schools.” Under the resolution, teachers would receive a stipend for the extra time at a rate lower than the pro-rated salary requested by the Boston Teachers Union. The agreement also allows the Superintendent to implement a new pay-for-excellence plan that recognizes exceptional teams of teachers through “team rewards.”

“I’m pleased by the outcome of this joint decision,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “This is an example of how collective bargaining units and the City of Boston can work together in meaningful ways to create positive change for the students of Boston. Equitable access to a quality education is the civil rights issue of our time and I’m proud that Boston is working to ensure every student in Boston can succeed at the highest of levels.”

Dr. Johnson says BPS is eager to implement the changes outlined in the agreement, which was the result of an expedited process between BPS and the BTU. It is the first time any school district in Massachusetts has used the new authority provided under the education reform law to push for changes to a union contract.

“This decision allows us to move swiftly to put the time, people and resources in place that will directly impact the students of Boston,” said Dr. Johnson. “Beginning in September we will, among other things, be able to offer students in these underperforming schools more teaching and learning time with their dedicated teachers and school leaders.”

The groundbreaking education reform legislation that was signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in January gives school districts authority to put reforms in place for schools that are identified as chronically underperforming. In November 2009, Superintendent Johnson unveiled the district’s plans to turn around the city’s underperforming schools. The district gained extra authority to do so when the state officially designated 12 of Boston’s 135 public schools as “Level 4,” or underperforming.

“Watching the historic education reform law being signed into law gave new life to the urgent work already underway in the Boston Public Schools,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. “The School Committee fully supports the work Superintendent Johnson is undertaking and we are confident the outcome will create an abundance of quality educational options for the students and families of our city.”

Among the changes sought by BPS and approved by the joint resolution committee is an additional hour per day for teachers and students in the turnaround schools. BPS plans to dedicate approximately half of that time to classroom instruction, and the other half will be set aside for teacher development, class preparation time and student tutoring. The change will give teachers time to work with each other to develop instructional plans designed to help each individual student succeed. The resolution compensates teachers with a $4,100 stipend for 190 additional hours of service, of which 90 hours will be used to extend class time throughout the 180-day school year. The money will come from federal school improvement grants aimed at improving student achievement in turnaround schools. A recent study by the National Center for Teacher Quality found students in Boston Public Schools have a school day that is among the shortest of any large district in the nation.

Another change included in the resolution is a new pay-for-excellence plan that allows BPS to recognize exceptional teams of teachers by granting them “team rewards” for significant gains in student achievement. In addition, principals in turnaround schools are being granted new authority to choose the best teachers from across the district and set schedules that are the best fit for their students. BPS is already moving some of its best teachers and principals to the turnaround schools, and the teams will work together this summer to be ready when students arrive in the fall.

The education reform law grants BPS the authority to demand an expedited negotiation process with the BTU and it authorized the creation of the three-person joint resolution committee when initial negotiations did not result in an agreement. Boston is the first school district in the Commonwealth to use these provisions. The committee was comprised of three members, one representing the Boston School Committee; one representing the Boston Teachers Union (BTU); and a third party selected by both groups from a list provided by the American Association of Arbitrators.

Schools where turnaround intervention work is underway are: Louis Agassiz Elementary School; William Blackstone Elementary School; Jeremiah E. Burke High School; Henry Dearborn Middle School; Paul Dever Elementary School; English High School; Elihu Greenwood Elementary School; Harbor Middle School; John Holland Elementary School; John F. Kennedy Elementary; Orchard Gardens K-8 School; William Trotter Elementary School.

For more information on the turnaround schools, visit http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/turnaround

The turnaround schools negotiation with the Boston Teachers Union is separate from the broader process of renegotiating the entire teachers’ contract, which expires August 31, 2010. Please see this .pdf document for information on our vision for changes that will help create high quality teachers and ensure student success.