PPS hastily approves teacher contract giving raises to thousands of teachers and firing hundreds of teachers

As reported in the Oregonian, the despite criticism from parents and one school board member's adamant opposition, the Portland school board approved a new teacher contract that will bring the district's 3,200 teachers slight pay raises and result in hundreds of pink slips.

The agreement between the union and the board was reached a light speed and behind closed doors. The Oregonian explains the reason for the super quick hush-hush agreement:

The quick approval of the contract, reached less than a week ago and prepared entirely out of public view clears the school board's agenda to work on securing voter approval of a record tax increase on the May ballot.

Hang on to your wallet: PPS and teachers union set to ink contract ... with ZERO public input!

The Oregonian reports that PPS administration and teachers union leaders have agreed to terms for a new two-year teachers contract. Some highlights:

• The deal will be signed, sealed, and delivered early next week. That was when the two sides' full negotiating teams were slated to meet to present their initial, yes initial, proposals for contract terms.

• The entire deal has been worked out behind closed doors, without involving the full negotiating team from either side or a single public discussion of potential contract terms.

• All terms of the contract are a closely held secret. According to communications director Robb Cowie, the district doesn't plan to reveal them until after the start of the school board meeting next week.

Looks like sometime next week Portland's teachers union will issue a statement fully supporting the largest property tax increase in state history.

School Board seeks public input on local option property tax increase

The Portland School Board is inviting testimony as it considers placing a local operating levy on the ballot in May to provide additional funding to protect PPS schools from expected state budget cuts.

The board invites comments on the idea at several upcoming meetings:

• Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 4 p.m., at a public hearing before the school board’s work session on budget matters.
• Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 5 p.m., at the board’s Finance, Audit and Operations Committee meeting.

All meetings are in the Blanchard Education Service Center, 501 N. Dixon, and will be streamed live on the PPS website and broadcast on TV28. Those wishing to speak may sign up in person before the meetings, or in advance by contacting the board office at schoolboard@pps.k12.or.us or by calling 503-916-3741.