Make a Contract for Better Schools

While any progress should be praised, this letter to the editor shows that big changes are still necessary.

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Make a Contract for Better Schools

Friday, June 16, 2006; A24

Leaders of the Washington Teachers' Union and Superintendent Clifford B. Janey have agreed on a proposed contract that demonstrates that the hiring process is not about providing children with the best-qualified teachers but protecting seniority rights modeled on factory worker transfer procedures ["Teachers to Vote on 'Breakthrough' Contract," Metro, June 6].

While 10 facilities may be spared, for more than 150 District schools, principals who work hard at professional development and building collaborative teams cannot hire first-rate external applicants because of the contract's bumping and seniority transfer rules. Worse, principals must accept transferred teachers regardless of whether they will be an asset or a detriment to the team.

Other cities have done away with teacher seniority bumping rights. Washington should do so next time.

For children who remain in classrooms with incompetent teachers, for principals who watch premium candidates slip through their hands, for promising young teachers who head to the suburbs because the hiring process is delayed by union transfer requirements -- this contract is no breakthrough.

TRACY ZORPETTE

Washington