Teachers in St Cloud approve QComp

"Teachers approve pay plan

By Dave Aeikensdaeikens@stcloudtimes.com

St. Cloud school district leaders could know by the end of the week if the district will receive state money to participate in a performance-pay program for teachers.
Teachers voted Tuesday to accept the program. School board members approved it Monday. The application was delivered Tuesday to the Minnesota Department of Education.
Minneapolis and Hopkins school districts already have been accepted into the performance-pay program. The state has set aside $86 million for two years to pay for the program.
The proposal creates leadership positions for a number of teachers and provides $1.55 million for individual performance pay. The district's about 700 teachers could earn more than $2,000 each if they choose to participate.
The proposal does not change the teachers' contract that was agreed to in July. Any payments would be in addition to what the teachers already receive. If St. Cloud is accepted into the Quality Compensation program, known as Q-Comp, it could receive about$2.5 million this year.
Teachers can earn additional money by taking part in twice-a-month meetings where improving instruction is discussed. Teachers who volunteer for the program also will be observed at least four times a year.
Teachers also can earn extra money by meeting the goals of their school, meeting personal goals in an administrative evaluation and by meeting student-achievement goals.
All members of the teachers union could participate, including those such as social workers and counselors who are not classroom teachers, teachers union President Mary Broderick said.
"We feel this is a real powerful piece for us. This means all of the people in our bargaining unit would be doing this. This really puts focus on student learning," Broderick said.
The Quality Compensation program is for teachers union members only.
School board members want to get other employee groups into performance pay, as well."

For those of you who want more information here is a link to more than you ever wanted to know.

http://education.state.mn.us/mde/static/Manual%208%2012%2005%208-17.pdf