BPS and BTU reach tentative agreement

Serghino René

After months of negotiations and talk of a potential strike, the Boston Teachers Union (BTU) and Boston Public School (BPS) officials recently reached a tentative agreement on a new teachers’ contract through school year 2009-2010.

“We are proud of the agreement that has been reached with the Boston Teachers Union and appreciate their support in reforming our underperforming schools,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “We believe this contract gives us the flexibility to hire top-notch educators who have the tools and resources they need to prepare our students for a successful future.”

BTU and BPS reached a consensus on several key issues.

The proposed contract includes greater flexibility in 20 low-performing schools — called “superintendent’s schools” — as well as maintaining small class sizes, the creation of at least seven new pilot schools, changes to the performance evaluation process and salary increases of approximately 13 percent over four years. Those salary boosts come in addition to the step increases of 5 to 7 percent each year already built into the contract and a gradual increase in employee share of health insurance premiums from 10 percent to 15 percent by 2009.

Also included in the proposal is the launch of the New Teacher Developer program, in which experienced teachers mentor new teachers in the classroom, and a Peer Assistance program, where experienced teachers provide additional support to colleagues to improve instruction.

According to city releases, flexibility in the superintendent’s schools would include additional resources, an extended school day and the ability to hire the most qualified teachers in schools that are in greatest need of improvement. Of the seven new pilot schools, the BTU is expected to govern one.

Additional compensation is expected for some teachers in pilot schools who work additional hours. The increases in salaries would enable Boston to remain the highest-paying public school district in the Commonwealth.

The agreement is in stark contrast to the threats and legal actions that marked the negotiations.

The BTU threatened to strike nearly a month ago, even though the move would have been illegal according to a state law prohibiting public employee unions from “inducing, encouraging or condoning” any work stoppage or withholding of services. They later voted to postpone their strike and further negotiations with BPS.

The State Labor Relations Commission asked a Superior Court judge to find BTU leaders in contempt for failing to comply with a Feb. 13 injunction requiring the union to cease and desist all strike planning activities.

As a result, the labor commission fined the BTU $120,000, a decision that BTU spokesman Steve Crawford says the union plans to appeal.

“This was an opportunity for teachers to use their First Amendment rights,” said Crawford. “We’re not going to allow that to be taken away.”

Elizabeth Reilinger, chair of the Boston School Committee, said the contract includes important education reforms that will enable the district to accelerate the progress made over the past decade.

“We have a solid track record of negotiating contracts that resist business as usual,” said Reilinger. “With agreement on more pilot schools, hiring flexibility in low-performing schools and other key reforms, we are moving that much closer to our goal of every student achieving academic excellence.”

The teachers union, which has approximately 7,000 members, is scheduled to ratify the proposal on March 14.

The tentative agreement has been approved by the membership, “assuming the ‘Is’ have been dotted and the ‘Ts’ have been crossed,” said Crawford. “We would expect a similar vote on the 14th.”

BPS Superintendent Michael G. Contompasis called the contract negotiations a success.

“We went into this process determined to bring about some changes for the sake of Boston’s kids, and I believe we’ve done just that,” said Contompasis. “This contract will enable to us to attract and retain the best and the brightest teachers to carry out the essential mission of preparing our students for a future full of opportunity.”