Teacher contract extended until Jan. 2010
The Philadelphia School District and its largest union have announced another contract extension, a spokesman said today.
The district's contract with the 11,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers was set to expire today, but will now run out on Jan. 15, 2010.
"The School District and the PFT are committed to working together to negotiate a multiyear contract that will improve academic outcomes for the District's students while creating the best possible working environment for the District's dedicated teachers and staff," read a statement from the district.
Initially, the pact with district teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors and support staff was set to run out on Aug. 31, but it was first extended until Oct. 31 and then again until today.
Current salary, benefits and working conditions will remain in place. It's not yet known how long the new extension will last.
Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has said she wants longer school days, merit pay for teachers, and more flexibility to assign staff regardless of seniority.
Union officials have told their members the district also wants to shorten prep time for some teachers, give principals say over teacher planning for part of every week, and make teaching summer school mandatory for some.
There could also be big changes for teachers in a third of district schools. According to the union, teachers at the 95 lowest performers, or "empowerment schools," could have "terms and benefits" set by principals.
The union has spoken out against the district's proposals.
