Melissa Bailey Photo
Mayor John DeStefano celebrated a teacher vote that continued the direction of a school reform effort he launched four years ago — and called on the state to help keep it going.
DeStefano made the remarks in a press conference Friday at Hill Central School. The event celebrated the ratification of a second landmark contract for 1,640 teachers and other school-based staff in city schools. Teachers approved the contract Thursday by a margin of 10 to 1, continuing New Haven’s nascent teacher evaluation system and the direction of a school reform effort DeStefano launched four years ago.
“At a time of change,” said Superintendent Garth Harries — DeStefano is set to retire after 20 years, handing the ropes to Toni Harp on Jan. 1 — “we’re still going.”
New Haven Federation of Teachers President Dave Cicarella said New Haven continues to be a national model: “This level of collaboration and cooperative effort isn’t found anywhere else.”
DeStefano echoed that point. The direction of school reform in Bridgeport and Hartford is “at best uncertain,” he noted.
Hill Central Students listened in on the press conference in their classroom.
He noted that New Haven has relied on federal support in its next teachers contract: The school district is banking on a $53 million Teacher Incentive Fund grant to pay for changes, including 11-percent pay raises over three years, as well as extra stipends for teachers in new leadership positions. After that time period, the grant will run out, and New Haven will have to find a new way to support its new model of teacher pay.
Just as the federal government supports districts that take initiative to reform schools in collaboration with teachers unions, the state should do the same, the mayor argued. DeStefano called on the state to “acknowledge and reward” districts like New Haven who collaborate with teachers unions in the name of school reform.
Harp Weighs In
Mayor-Elect Harp applauded the teachers contract Friday.
“I think it really begins to get everyone up to a certain competency level, and the pay reflects that,” Harp said.
She said also likes the fact that the contract offers lower-performing teachers “opportunities to get enhanced training and professional growth opportunities.”
She said her “only concern” with the contract is budgetary.
Harp said she hopes the federal government approves the idea of using special grant money for ongoing expenses like teacher salaries. Harries assured her it will, she said. “I’ve got to trust that he knows what he’s talking about.” She also expressed concern about the cost of those salaries in future years when grant money runs out. “Unless our revenues have increased somehow, it’s something we’re going to have to worry about.”
Paul Bass contributed reporting.
Using one-time funds to give sizable raises to union employees? Is that responsible?
Could someone please tell me what happens three years from now, when these grants expire? Tick-tick-tick...