10/28/2011 8:00:00 PMThe match in center ring: editorial

Friday, October 28, 2011

By The Plain Dealer Editorial Board

Chants, boos and hisses assailed the stoic Cleveland school board this week as it voted 7 to 1 to cut essential programs, such as a highly touted preschool program, busing and, gulp, security.

But that was just shadowboxing. The vote was preordained the second the district and Cleveland Teachers Union failed to agree on concessions that could have eliminated the schools' $13.2 million deficit without other cuts. With the state's inflexible Oct. 31 deadline, the board's hands were tied.

The real boxing match is at the bargaining table. And the district and the union need to stay in the ring, focused on how to erase the deficit, so they can have a hope of rescuing the programs on the chopping block. Cleveland schools CEO Eric Gordon has said that he will rescind the cuts if he reaches a deal with the union on the deficit.

Both sides refuse to say what's on the table but documents obtained by Plain Dealer Reporter Patrick O'Donnell reveal that as of August, teachers and the district were sparring over wage and step increases and a merit and evaluation plan backed by Gordon's boss, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson. The merit plan would pay teachers based on their classroom performance, not seniority and educational attainment.

Jackson unsuccessfully pushed the state legislature for a statewide merit-pay plan last summer. But the district is right to push again. Teacher pay is ripe for change.

Business as usual is not an option. The Cleveland schools get 65 percent of their funding from a cash-strapped state. Help won't be coming from a deficit-ridden federal government, despite pleas from Rep. Marcia Fudge.

There's also the fairness issue. While some teacher pay is based on longevity, most taxpayers' pay is based on performance.

Still, merit pay has to be a collaborative venture to keep it fair, efficient and transparent.

Cleveland Teachers Union President David Quolke says the union is considering working with an independent fact-finder to craft a compromise to present to both sides. Gordon says that could be a good idea.

They should start the process right away.  <<Full Story