Hite: need a more modern, professional teachers' contract
A great deal has been said about the Philadelphia School District's initial contract proposal to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. So far, little of that has been said by district officials, who have declined to go into specifics.
Hite: need a more modern, professional teachers' contract
Kristen Graham
A great deal has been said about the Philadelphia School District's initial contract proposal to the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. So far, little of that has been said by district officials, who have declined to go into specifics.
On Thursday afternoon, I sat down with Superintendent William R. Hite Jr., who very much wants the public to know that he's first and foremost an educator, that he values teachers, and that he does not want to drive anyone out of the district.
“We believe teachers are professionals, just like architects, lawyers, doctors,” Hite said. “We want a contract that reflects that. I truly believe that in order for teachers to be effective, there needs to be some flexibility and we need to treat them as professionals.”
Hite said he wants to clarify some misconceptions about what's out there about the proposal, which The Inquirer obtained and detailed this week. The contract of 10,000 teachers and 5,000 secretaries, nurses, counselors and other support staff expires in August.
That proposal calls for a 13 percent pay cut for those making over $55,000 and an end to seniority-based positions and to a guaranteed adequate supply of textbooks, among other provisions.
It infuriated teachers and PFT leaders, who said it seemed the district was attempting to penalize and drive out veteran educators. Many said they felt disrespected.
But Hite said that was the opposite of the district’s intention.
“We have a great deal of respect for what teachers do each and every day; we think that teachers are key to our strategy of improving educational outcomes for all of our students,” he said.
The superintendent said he would not neogtiate in public and declined to go into details on the financial terms of the proposal, beyond emphasizing the district’s dire fiscal situation, its projected $1 billion deficit over five years, etc.
"We're really trying to save this district," he said.
The proposal asks for salary reductions and benefits givebacks of 13 percent for those making $55,000 and above, but also increases teachers’ workdays, to eight hours. (They currently work a seven hour, four minute day.)
That’s just a recognition of what most teachers are already doing, Hite said.
“Many of our teachers work beyond eight hours — they work on weekends, they work nights, and they work on holidays. We value that. This is not a longer school day — this is more time to plan and collaborate,” he said.
Now, Hite said, for teachers to advance, they must move out of the classroom; the superintendent wants the new contract to help them progress in their careers while remaining in the classroom. “Distinguished” teachers should be paid accordingly, their classrooms used as models, and their experience used to help new and struggling teachers.
“We want more support for teachers,” Hite said.
As for provisions that call for an end to mandated water fountains, private rooms for nurses and counselors, and an adequate textbook supply, the superintendent was clear: “there is a difference in eliminating a provision and eliminating the thing that is being provided.”
Translation: the superintendent does not want to take away teachers' water fountains or desks or counselors' and nurses' right to private rooms to see their students.
When he was a teacher, his contract didn’t call for Hite to have chalk and a chalkboard, he said. But he had them; his district still had a responsibility to provide them, even though they weren’t spelled out.
“Many of those things are listed in our contract,” he said, pointing to a bound copy he keeps in his desk. “In terms of a professional contract, they have no business being there. Those are kind of ridiculous. In order for us to provide a high quality education, naturally we have to provide those things.”
What he wants, Hite said, is a “more modern document that speaks to the type of things that we think are really important, like growth and evaluation and development and teachers being part of the conversation.”
Flexibility is also key, he said.
Remove a class size maximum, a current proposal, helps with things like concurrent high school and college courses and “blended learning” opportunities — with a cap of 33 students, if 10 students at five district high schools wanted to take an Advanced Placement class, that would be difficult to achieve.
More in tomorrow's Inquirer...
- When the top tax rate was 91% and America sent hundreds of thousands of suburban Males to college the America PUBLIC Education system was the envy of the world and our Middle Class was the strongest Middle Class in the history of the world.
Then Ronald Reagan redefined debt and deficit along with a concept known as "starving the government/beast"...now more and more of our doctors, nurses, engineers, spelling bee champions and more and more of our Middle Class is born overseas...as we count drops from a water fountain.— Cuddles - This is all administrators and politicians and has been since Rendell was in office. Ackerman walked away with $900K because Nutter and other politicians were afraid she would talk. Stop with the anti teacher propaganda when educated people know the truth.
— gemini48 - A salary for work done is not an "entitlement".
I understand you have lost all your self respect and are jealous of others who still have some.— carl and sons - To look a reporter in the eye and tell them you value teachers and then offer them this contract is flat out asinine. Hite should be ashamed of himself as an individual.— slanted and enchanted
- Mr. Hite, I am one of your employees. The only purpose of telling me I can't defend myself against a student attack is to metaphorically spit in my face. I'm old enough to know better and you will not convince me otherwise. I will never forget the contempt you have shown my work with this proposal. Go back to where ever you came from if you think you can sell this in Philly.— high water
- Sell it in Philly the teachers take concessions of 180 million or they go to the property owners and say you know we just raised the property taxes 94 million dollars with avi but poor teachers need to keep there pay at the same rate and pay the same for there benefits so we decided to raise the property taxes an additional 180 million doubling your current bill. I know we raised the taxes 10% the last 3 years and now another increase with AVI but the teachers really need it. The tax paying public would laugh at you that is how you sell it Philly and come on that is an easy sell and they know it that is why take concessions or get another job. — PhillySM
- my comment was regarding the tone and the insult in the contract, not the numbers. — high water
- As a teacher in the SDP, why should I be asked to give back 26% of my salary because prior administrations mismanagement of money. As far as the property tax goes, why doesn't the city collect the half BILLION of unpaid taxes? Don't blame that on teachers. My taxes are going up about $1200 if the AVI goes through. — kell48
- This comment has been deleted. — bil,l atkin,s
- Cushy lifestyle? On 55,000 a year? - Oh wait, soon to be 48,000 year. For a job that is so stressful that it has a 35 - 50% attrition rate? McKinsey Institute identified attrition as the single greatest educational crisis in America right now. This contract won't help. — LMparent
- The teachers aren't raising taxes, the politicians are. Where did they get the $900K to pay Ackerman? But you're going to tell someone who makes $55K to take a pay cut? Maybe our city council members all need to go teach a few classes, they make alot more money and do a lot less work. They also get COLA's unlike other workers. PhillySM you are obviously content living in an uneducated corrupt city. — gemini48
- If you are trying to sale us that the tax increases are the teachers' fault you are either stupid or very stupid. Your pick. How about the raises the upper management got not long ago? Who gets a 50% raise anywhere? How about the behind the doors deals between out politicians and their "friends"? Teachers' compensation (benefits included) in Philadelphia is well below market value especially if you factor in the conditions (buildings, administrators, students, parents etc) that they have to deal with. You want to get rid off "bad" teachers but yet you want to decrease their pay even more, so how are you going to keep or attract any "good" teachers? Why would anyone in their right mind apply to work here?
They are professionals paid as labor. Compare any professional's earnings over their career (you are welcome to include benefits) and you will see that a teacher is at the bottom of the pyramid no matter where they are working.
Starting a fight against the teachers is exactly what the politicians want you to do so you do not see how they are getting rich on our backs. Like I said:you are either stupid or very stupid.
P.S. try watching this video and you may get a clue
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp/43996175#43996175— vathi - This comment has been deleted. — bil,l atkin,s
- Who is "we all"? Do you even have children? Intelligent, educated people are disgusted by the propaganda put out by greedy administrators and politicians. — gemini48
During the school year, you’ll frequently find her hosting live chats about the district on Philly.com. Please do pass along the scoop about what’s going on at your Philadelphia public school; Kristen welcomes tips, story ideas and witty banter at kgraham@phillynews.com or 215-854-5146.
You can also follow Kristen on Twitter here.
