SEATTLE – Teachers in the Seattle School District approved a new three-year contract Thursday night and passed a vote of no confidence in Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson.
"We believe you treat educators the way you would expect them to teach their students," said Olga Addae, President of the Seattle Education Association. Addae says Dr. Goodloe-Johnson has created a "gotcha" atmosphere in the district. "It's her way or the highway," Addae added.
Teachers inside the meeting, which was closed to reporters including KING 5's, say both the contract and no-confidence votes were cast by voice, and nearly unanimous.
Under the new contract, teachers will be rated a four-tier system. The categories will go from unsatisfactory to innovative. The highest-rated teachers will be eligible for additional pay. The lowest-rated will get support training.
The contract gives teachers 1 percent raises in both 2011-12 and 2012-2013. It gives them more collaborative planning time, sets aside more money for mentors to help instructors new to the classroom and adds other leadership positions for teachers.
The contract also gives extra money to teachers who work in the lowest performing schools to meet performance expectations.
"I am so pleased that SEA members have voted to approve a three-year contract for certificated staff," said Dr. Goodloe-Johnson. "This historic agreement builds on a tradition of collaboration with our teachers and will further strengthen the excellent work of our educators and administrators to keep student learning as our central focus. I honor the dedication of our teachers, knowing they work each day to ensure that every student reaches their highest potential."
"We are so pleased that SEA members have voted to approve a three-year contract for our educators," said School Board Director Steve Sundquist, board spokesperson for labor negotiations. "SEA also approved a vote of no-confidence in the Superintendent. The School Board and the Superintendent have committed to an ambitious change agenda in pursuit of improved student achievement and closing the achievement gap in our community. In that process we have undergone substantial change. We recognize that change isn't easy and the pace of change isn't always agreed upon. As leaders, we remain committed to listening to the ideas and concerns of our families, staff, and communities, and then taking the actions that we believe are in the best interest of our students."
Much of the contract hinges on a November levy that will help pay for the new system.
But teacher Raul Miranda says these alternative compensation systems just don't work.
"It hasn't worked. It hasn't worked anywhere," he said.
