CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education unanimously approved criteria for choosing the 25 percent of teachers and licensed support staff to be offered four-year contracts. In a 9-0 vote at their Tuesday night meeting, the BOE approved the use of a point system that includes evaluations, national board certification, multiple licensure and other factors.
The criteria will help Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools comply with a new state requirement, passed in the most recent legislative session, that only 25 percent of eligible teachers and other licensed support staff be offered four-year contracts. All other teachers and licensed support staff will be offered one-year contracts, unless they are not being renewed at all.
Many Board members expressed concerns and discomfort with the 25 percent rule, while also recognizing that it is the law.
“I really have some angst with this,” said Board Chairperson Mary McCray, a former teacher and at-large member. “I will support this legally. But I don’t support it morally.”
Several members also expressed concern about the effect on teachers and other school staff, while noting that they have not seen similar measures taken in business and the corporate world. Several also said that they had considered not supporting it but that they thought the criteria developed by the district were as fair as possible.
“I think this is making the best out of something that is not good,” said Rhonda Lennon, who represents District 1.
Board members also raised questions about the effect on students as well as teachers, with several reiterating support for a one-year delay.
“I detest this but I’ll approve it,” said Eric Davis, who represents District 5.
The district needed to choose criteria for the selection of the 25 percent because most employees met the state requirements – that eligible teachers and other licensed support staff must have three years in the district and ratings of proficiency or higher on evaluations. To reach the 25 percent number required setting additional criteria. In developing them, CMS sought feedback from principals and teachers, including a survey of teachers and licensed support staff. CMS also spoke with other districts in the state to see how they managed the new requirement.
The criteria were developed by a cross-functional committee with representatives from human resources, learning communities and the legal and communications departments.
The intent of the 25 percent law is to move districts toward a performance-based employment and compensation system. But it has not been universally welcomed, with many districts and superintendents questioning the wisdom of setting such arbitrary limits on lengthy contracts. In addition, teachers groups and others have filed suit to block enforcement of the 25 percent rule. No rulings have been issued to date. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education approved a resolution on March 11 asking the North Carolina General Assembly to delay the 25 percent rule, increase compensation for all teachers and allow districts to develop local compensation plans. The resolution does not, however, remove the district’s responsibility to comply with the 25 percent rule.
Superintendent Heath Morrison said that he would continue to work with the legislators to get a delay in the law – an intention that is shared by the Board – and that he would wait until the last minute to bring the list of teachers recommended for four-year contracts to the Board.
“There is a better way to do this,” Morrison told the Board. “We can all work with our legislators to craft a better piece of legislation.”
