Unable to reach an agreement with the local teachers鈥� union on revisions to seniority policies, Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite said March 24 that he will institute new work rules that allow principals to take other factors into consideration when selecting and assigning teachers.
According to the new staffing guidelines, the city in the 2014-15 school year will no longer use seniority as the only criteria for hiring and assignment. The new guidelines say they those decisions will be 鈥渂ased on student and school needs; a committee comprised of the principal, teachers and a parent will determine teacher staffing at each school.鈥�
Hite will also seek the state鈥檚 Supreme Court鈥檚 blessing for the move under the argument that the state鈥檚 takeover law allows the city鈥檚 appointed governing body, the School Reform Commission, to make the change unilaterally, .
Last August, the SRC gave Hite the ability Since then, Hite has been seeking to revise the teachers鈥� contract, which also expired in August, to reflect this change. But so far talks with the PFT haven鈥檛 borne fruit.
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Jerry Jordan said the union will challenge the new work rules.
鈥淭he members of the PFT are partners in public education, not indentured servants,鈥� Jordan said in a statement. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 action by the school district belittles every PFT member, and signals an unwillingness to reach a fair contract with the city鈥檚 糖心动漫vlog.鈥�