The compromise decision reached by the Hillsborough County School District and the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers’ Association is a classic win-win. Call it a victory for common sense – and, most importantly – a triumph for students.
The agreement allows 130 senior teachers to be something other than regrettably retired and unfortunately unemployed. The averted scenario had called for their places to be taken by rookie teachers who would have made much less than those at the top of the pay scale.
As a result, saving money while shortchanging students won’t happen.
What it means is that those 130 senior teachers, an invaluable resource in these notably challenging times, will still be on the educational front lines where they can do the most good. And since the district/CTA agreement results in these (now non-retired) teachers being paid at a fifth-year rate ($39,800), the district will still save some $3.5 million.
In the end, ironically, the whole flap over bringing back retired teachers and the imperative to cut budgets proved a teachable moment.