Document text
Districts renew most teacher contracts Local officials underline improvements From staff and wire reports School districts throughout Southern Oregon renewed two-year contracts for all teachers this week, but officials here say that doesn't mean they're rubber stamping educators' performances. Some 1,700 teachers received guarantees of jobs through at least June 2002, but a handful of educators in several districts have retired, resigned or have been placed on plans of assistance, the first official step toward documenting poor performance. "We renewed everybody, but that doesn't mean haven't had some resignations from folks," said Steve Wisely, Medford schools superintendent. "We have worked closely with three people this year, one who has retired and two who have resigned." In Eagle Point, this is the first year since passage of the 1997 law abolishing teacher tenure that the district has not fired teachers. Superintendent Bill Jones said two or three teachers have been let go over the past two years. Some Oregon legislators have criticized school officials, contending that they've failed to use a law that abolished tenure. The measure was aimed at making it easier to fire poor teachers. It also allowed dismissal of principals after three years. But Wisely and other administrators said abolishing tenure did little to alter efforts to discipline bad teachers. "It's not that there has not been a process to remove incompetent teachers," he said. Dave Willard, superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District, said administrators must still follow a careful plan of documented action. "There is not the ability to just let a teacher go," he said. "Sometimes I felt like the Legislature felt like we should be letting all these teachers go and it's frustrating to me. Certainly there are some teachers who need help, but we are working with them. The bottom line is this: the key is hiring the right people in the first place." Around the state, many large districts report that every eligible teacher and principal is getting a new contract guaranteeing a job until at least June 2002. Senate Majority Leader Gene Derfler, R-Salem, a co-author of the 1997 law that eliminated tenure and put teachers on two-year renewable contracts, is unhappy with the lack of response he sees on behalf of some districts. Portland is an exception. The board this week agreed to fire six teachers and one assistant principal for poor performance. It also voted not to extend new contracts to five other teachers, meaning they will be out the door next spring unless they improve. Ten more teachers and two administrators chose to leave rather than face ouster. "They are probably the most assertive district in the state on this issue," said Ron Wilson, labor relations director for the Oregon School Boards Association. Teachers union leaders say districts such as Portland are using the law to target good teachers who make waves. Portland's crackdown on those 24 employees -- less than 1 percent of the certified educators on its payroll -- stands in marked contrast to what other Oregon districts are doing. Personnel directors said the law has prompted them to evaluate employees more carefully. They say the number of teachers on assistance programs has risen. Those teachers get help to overcome deficiencies and are under a timetable to show improvement. And many districts report they are shedding weak teachers each year without a formal school board vote, as some teachers resign rather than face potential dismissal. The North Clackamas school district stands out, like Portland, for a tougher stance. The board voted this month not to extend new contracts to four teachers. Portland school board member Ron Saxton pushed the district to get tough with its weakest performers as soon as tenure expired. Running a school district well, he said, means that managers must take responsibility for weeding out the worst performers. Richard Garrett, president of Portland's teachers union, called the district "barbaric" for pouncing on teachers who need help and hounding them out of a job. Statewide, teachers who are good instructors but who are critical of school district policies are targeted, says James Sager, president of the Oregon Education Association. Portland officials say only serious problems with teaching, classroom management or faculty collaboration draw the spotlight. And they say that the vast majority of teachers whose performance is called into question improve. They get an assistance plan, required by the new law before a teacher is denied a new contract. This year about 104 Portland teachers were told they needed to improve -- and 90 did, said personnel officer Larry Betten. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA