Contract details posted on PFT site
by Dale Mezzacappa on Jan 21 2010 Posted in Breaking news
Here is a link to a document that was posted on a members-only portion of the teachers' union site.
Highlights after a quick read (UPDATED 2:15 p.m.):
-- 3 percent raises on September 1, 2010 and again on January 1, 2012 - just two across-the-board raises in a three-year agreement.
-- introduction of a "value-added compensation system" under which teachers in schools that "have experienced the highest level of student growth" will get extra money. This is contingent on funding, and will start in 2011. Teachers in the top quarter of the highest-performing "High Needs Schools" and in the top 10 percent of the top performing "Non High Needs Schools" will also get additional compensation.
-- an end to the 30-year-old commitment to have racially balanced faculties in all schools
-- site selection of teachers expanded to all "High Needs Schools" - schools in Corrective Action II under No Child Left Behind as well as schools that fall in the bottom tenth on the District's "School Performance Index." New language calls for the principal and staff selection committee to "reach consensus on the most qualfied candidate for each position," or failing that, for the principal to select one of the three top-rated candidates.
-a Masters' Degree Partnership program in "High Needs Schools" proving tuition reimbursement at a rate of $400 per credit for up to $2,400 per year starting in July.
-a $7,500 annual bonus for National Board-certified teachers, up from $3,500.
- a new "Peer Assistance and Review" program for teacher evaluation and support, mandatory for tenured teachers who have been rated unsatisfactory and phased in at schools as a mandatory program for new teachers not tenured in Pennsylvania.
-a provision treating all staff at Renaissance Schools as "forced transfers," allowing up to 50 percent of those teachers to reapply through a site selection process. Teachers at Renaissance Schools "may be expected to work up to one hour longer per day" as well up to two Saturdays per month and up to 22 days in July. Teachers will be compensated for the extra days and hours at their usual rate.
- a mandate to maintain student- counselor ratios at 150:1 in middle schools and 200:1 in high schools.
UPDATED 9:45 p.m.: The contract was ratified.
Make the Innovation Plan public, and make the rubric used to judge the plan public as well.
How should the District make up for the 
Comments (21)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 14:12.
6% over three years.. with nothing in year 1. After 5 contract extensions. It's an insult.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 14:53.
Are you kidding. I AM ABOUT 45 MEMBERS I KNOW ARE VOTING NO!
BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER. I REMEMBER AT THE LAST VOTE. THE MAJORITY VOTED NO. THE CHAIR SAID THE MAJORITY VOTED YES.
OUR UNION IS WEAK.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 14:13.
3% in 2010, and 3% in 2012. Nothing in 2011. This is the best we can do. It's insulting.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 14:15.
The contract that was supposed to be a 'win-win' is an insult to the rank and file and a disgrace. To suggest that 6% over three years is a "win" is a complete slap in the face by the leadership of this union. Ackerman wins. We ALL (teachers, parents, students) LOSE.
Submitted by RSR (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 15:09.
What did the cops just get in arbitration? "4 percent beginning July 1, and 3 percent beginning July 1, 2011, with the possibility for further raises in the final two years of the deal."
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/79742927.html
I'm not enthused that they're pushing the raises further and further apart. 18 months? So come 2012, when it's time to renegotiate, they'll say, well, we just gave you a raise.
Submitted by Ms. Chips (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 15:25.
And this was touted as the GOOD news contract? I wasn't sure I would attend tonight, but it sounds as if it will be a rousing brawl...I can't wait.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 15:40.
If the membership votes in majority "NO", then it will be NO. You are given a ballot for your vote. I think that only 2 raises in 3 years is a slap in the face to teachers in Philly. What are the administration going to do when massive retirements come and there is a huge shortage of teachers. We are not progressing with this contract--it is one of the worst I have seen in 25 years. JORDAN---- you sold us out to the devil--Thanks!!!!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 15:58.
Did folks see the new allowances for the Renaissance Schools? School on Saturdays and throughout July? This looks like the usual formula for some of the franchise charter schools: burnout the teaching staff in the name of getting better test scores, keep bringing in a new cohort of young teachers to replace the last batch who could only last a year or two. It's a total affront to the idea of trying to retain a consistent, high-quality teaching staff? Or are these Ren. Schools more interested in their model and not people?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 19:05.
You answered your own question. As a former charter school employee, I can tell you that they are ONLY interested in their own model - not just Renaissance.
This contract is lame, but even if the other things were better, I would vote NO because of the Renaissance provisions.
You KNOW Arlene Ackackman is getting paid somewhere by Renaissance.
MAN, I wish Jerry Jordan had some brains and balls.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 19:06.
You answered your own question. As a former charter school employee, I can tell you that they are ONLY interested in their own model - not just Renaissance.
This contract is lame, but even if the other things were better, I would vote NO because of the Renaissance provisions.
You KNOW Arlene Ackackman is getting paid somewhere by Renaissance.
MAN, I wish Jerry Jordan had some brains and balls.
Submitted by teacher 101 (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 16:26.
Obviously, nobody here is a math teacher. 4 percent this past March - plus 3 percent in Sept. and then 3 percent in Jan. of 2012 equals a 10 percent raise within four years. Not bad considering what many other unions have gotten in tough economic times. (The Phila. police just had to accept an arbitrated decision of 7 percent over 5 years.)
Submitted by RSR (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 21:30.
not exactly regarding the police; seven percent is booked over three years, with negotiations yet to come on the final two years of the contract. Neither side wants to commit to years 4 & 5 at this point
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 17:55.
How is this win-win? I was prepared to vote in favor of the contract, but it'll be a resounding "NO" from me. Why is no one mentioning the higher co-pay? The surrender of power. We have never skipped a year of raises. It's an insult and most insulting is our leader, who thought we would be gullible enough to buy this as a good deal. I'm voting "NO" on you next time around, too, Jerry.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 20:55.
The last raise is too late I think. Its 6 months before the end of the agreement. The renaissance info takes time to digest. We should have had 24 hrs. To read the contract. At home no one but a fool signs then reads a contract.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 21:45.
The union is doing a wonderful job...
Look at the fabulous...fantabulous working conditions...
Without the union, teachers would be beaten up in the classrooms, cursed, and threatened by the students...
See, with the union, that doesn't happen in Philly...
Plus, teachers get a competitive wage that is the envy of the Commonwealth.
"Look for the Union Label...!!!"
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 19:00.
Please tell me you are kidding about the working conditions... It wouldnt be a normal work day if i didnt hear a student curse at a teacher.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 22:30.
This district is a joke and so is the Union if this gets ratified. I am leaving this district, maybe even the profession
Submitted by thenotebook on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 22:48.
The contract was ratified tonight.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 00:06.
I agree. Coming to Philly from a wonderful and working district I had high hopes. After working in this district and dealing with constant school fights and a lack of consequence I have left. This contract is ridiculous. Two 3% raises is sad. It was stated previously that Septa and Philadelphia Police have gotten better raises then teachers, they don't even need to obtain a masters degree. I smell a rat.
Submitted by TopHeavyStaff (not verified) on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 06:45.
Looks like they left Senior Career Teacher intact, although we've only seen the summary of the contract.
$7,500 per year for National Board Certification is nice. I couldn't tell if that is for 10 years, as in the previous contract. Presumably it is, so you can make an additional $75,000 over ten years. I'm hoping to do that once my kids are older.
I like this:
Add to Article XVIII, Section E
A teacher may use reasonable force to protect himself/
herself or others from attack or injury, or to quell a
disturbance which threatens physical injury to a teacher
or others. Reasonable force shall mean the same degree of
physical control over a pupil that a parent would be legally
privileged to exercise but which in no event shall exceed
the amount of physical control reasonably necessary to
protect the physical safety of teachers or others.
I didn't see details on how much an employee stands to gain if their school is in the top 10% or 25%. Need more time to read it.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 21:41.
WHEN JERRY JORDAN RUNS AGAIN FOR PFT PRESIDENT TEACHERS NEED TO GET ANOTHER TEAM THAT IS AGAINST RENAISSANCE SCHOOLS AND WILL PUSH FOR BETTER RAISES-----VOTE THE INDEPENDENT TEAM!!!!
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