Pay for performance in DCSD

unedited Feb 09 Tahoe Mt. News

By Kathryn Reed

Douglas County teachers might see extra cash in future paychecks.
Assistant Superintendent Rich Alexander told the board last month that a pilot program could begin in the fall with a group of volunteers who would test a pay for performance scenario.
Two studies were presented to the board Jan. 13 as part of ongoing research between the district and teachers.
Board President Cindy Trigg said she was excited to read about teachers in other districts praising improved work environments with pay for performance programs. Board member Sharla Hales was impressed by the 7 percent increase in student achievement in one study.
“This is just simply a way for us to reward people for student achievement,” Alexander told the Tahoe Mountain News. “Typically in private industry if you work harder and harder with good results, you get rewarded for them. In pubic education you get the same pay no matter what.”
The district is calling the potential money “performance pay” instead of “merit pay” because the latter can be defined in a manner that has nothing to do with how students do in the classroom.
The school board has told the Pay for Performance Committee that the primary goal is increasing student achievement. The committee was formed at the district’s urging in 2007 after the last round of contract negotiations between Douglas County School District and its teachers.
The committee of six – three from the district, three from the Douglas County Professional Education Association – meets regularly. It’s likely a recommendation will come to the board before the next round of negotiations begins this spring.
“We were willing to look at it, but we were not willing to commit without research,” explained Susan Lacey, president of the teachers’ union. “It needs to be fair and it needs to be equitable.”
She believes grants could be obtained to pay for the program. Alexander said teachers are working on grant funding.
Lacey said with the state budget in dire straits, the district is looking at reducing teachers and support staff next school year, so those concerns are more of a priority with all unions.
Alexander said the state and feds have expressed interest in performance pay, though money at those levels is an issue as well. He agrees that even if both sides agree on a plan, funding could be the ultimate sticking point.