A bold step?

1,162 public schools in Texas, 68 in Dallas alone, are getting rewarded for their efforts and we have 2 schools in Nashville in line for this MNPS pilot performance pay plan. Two in Nashville. This is a "bold step" and shows we're "eager to reward" according to Schools Director Pedro Garica.

From: Brown, Olivia H (MNPS) [mailto:Olivia.Brown@mnps.org]
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 4:07 PM
Subject: New diversified pay plan will begin in two Metro public schools

Press Release

Contact: Woody McMillin

Public Information Director

woody.mcmillin@mnps.org

New diversified pay plan will begin in two Metro public schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 10, 2006) - Two Metro public elementary schools will be the first in the district to implement a diversified pay plan to reward staff members for exceptional student achievement.

Under an agreement reached yesterday, the teachers at Inglewood and Alex Green elementary schools will receive bonus pay-for-performance if student achievement at the conclusion of the 2006-07 school year exceeds pre-set benchmarks. In addition, all school support personnel such as secretaries, educational aides and custodians will be eligible for bonuses for their efforts in raising student performance above the benchmarks.

The new plan will place Metro public schools in step with a national trend to recognize exceptional teachers and staff members for exceptional work.

"This bold step shows the community we are eager to reward those who do great work in our schools," said Metro Schools Director Pedro Garcia. " [emphasis added]It shows we are open to new ideas and new ways of doing the most important business of educating our children."

The diversified pay plan at the two schools will serve as a three-year pilot study, with salary bonuses funded through private donations and grants to the district. Details of the pay plan will be finalized no later than Sept. 26 by a cooperative task force of district officials and members of the Metro Nashville Education Association, which agreed to the pilot plan in a contract negotiations session last night.

"The Metro Nashville Board of Education and the MNEA entered into a new today together to embrace a collaborative diversified pay plan," said School Board member Marsha Warden, who served as negotiations liaison for the Board. "Working on faith, both groups agreed this is important step and that a task group would be appointed to work out the details for this school year. Our efforts will dovetail with trends across the country to develop incentive plans that model the business-world application of bonuses and incentives."

In step with a national trend? Dovetail with trends? We're going get trampled if we don't catch up fast. Actually, it's our children that will get run over. Pick up the pace folks. These children don't have much time.