D-2 plan bases teacher pay on performance, student achievement

The board of Harrison School District 2 Thursday gave the administration a thumbs up to continue working toward  a draft policy to  change how teachers are paid.

The administrators will create a “pay for performance” blueprint that they will bring back to the board for a vote after more input from teachers and others.

The pay scale, which they hope to put in effect in the 2010-2011 school year, would hinge on  teacher performance and  student achievement. Pay traditionally has been  based mainly on teachers’ education and tenure.

Harrison could become the state’s first district to implement such a model, Superintendent Mike Miles said. He noted that the district has worked for four years on a structure that could make it happen.

The change is expected to help raise student achievement, particularly important in D-2, where most students are from low-income families. Although student achievement has improved, it still lags.

The board vote was 4-1,  with Victor Torres voting against the resolution, fearing that it would put a chill on the ongoing debate.

Laura Stephens, president of the Harrison Education Association, said that the pay concept is a good one, but teachers and others  still have many questions. The Harrison teachers organization does not have collective bargaining.

Miles told a convocation for teachers and administrators before the board meeting that pay for current teachers would not be reduced. Officials envision a salary scale with nine levels ranging from $35,000for novices to $90,000 for master teachers. At top levels, teachers would be required to exhibit student-achievement gains and community leadership. Teachers also would be required to participate in lifelong learning, contribute to the profession and be mentors. No current teacher makes $90,000.

Miles estimates the cost at a $1 million dollars a year, with more than  $600,000 coming from an end to incentive pay and bonuses.

Pay for performance is beginning to be discussed in other districts nationwide, including Colorado Springs District 11.