Cleveland Teachers To Get 'Undeserved' Raises

First, I do not believe the teachers in districts performing poorly as Cleveland schools are deserving of a raise.

Second, we need to demand performance be tied to teachers pay.

Third, teachers are better paid than they lead us to believe.

An overview of the agreement with Cleveland Municipal School District and the Cleveland Teachers Union from the PD --

Total cost: $11 million a year.

Duration: Three years, July 1 to June 30, 2010.

Raise: Up to 9 percent over three years. The first year, a 3 percent raise is guaranteed. In each of the next two years, a 3 percent raise is granted if the state does not cut aid.

Medical insurance: Medical, vision care and prescription benefits remain the same, as does premium sharing at $10 to $30 a month. Main change is that a school employee's working spouse must subscribe to his or her employer's plan, unless second- and third-year raises are not granted. Alternative is for the spouse to enroll in Kaiser Permanente's single plan for $10 a month.

Reduced class sizes in kindergarten through grade three: Now, the average is 25 students to 1 teacher. That goes to 20 to 1 next school year.

Pre-kindergarten classes: All elementaries will have academic preschool for 4-year-olds for the full school day. Some of the staff may come from calling back laid-off teachers who are certified for elementary education.

In-school suspension programs at all high schools: Will open jobs for 132 teachers' aides, union says.