Recognizing and Congratulating the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and the School Reform Commission on Adopting a New Three-Year Agreement.

WHEREAS,

The City Council commends School District of Philadelphia (District) CEO, Dr. Arlene Ackerman, Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT) President, Jerry Jordan and the School Reform Commission (SRC) Chair, Robert L. Archie Jr. for their commitment in producing an historic three-year agreement that will provide for recruiting and retaining the best teachers to increase student achievement within the District; and

WHEREAS,

The PFT, the District and the SRC affirm a critical need to ensure that the students of the School District of Philadelphia are appropriately oriented so that they are prepared to become productive citizens; and

WHEREAS,

This pact aligns with Dr. Ackerman's goals in the District's

Imagine 2014

strategic plan, by giving the District flexibility to reform its lowest performing schools and offering an array of tools to help close the student achievement gap in Philadelphia's public school system; and

WHEREAS,

PFT members are scheduled to receive salary increases in the years 2010 and 2012; and

WHEREAS,

The District will be able to fill teacher vacancies through site-based selection allowing mutual agreement between candidate and the school for teacher placement; and

WHEREAS,

Under the new

Renaissance Schools

initiative, the District will have the flexibility to implement reforms such as longer school days and a longer school year; and

WHEREAS,

Over its three-year term the contract will provide for adjustments to wages, salaries, and to pay for anticipated increases in benefit costs over the contract period; and

WHEREAS,

The District and PFT, upon adoption of the contract by the School Reform Commission, will have successfully and actively negotiated a mutually agreeable contract for the benefit of the students and citizens of Philadelphia; now, therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA,

That City Council hereby Recognizes and Congratulates the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and the School Reform Commission on Adopting a New Three-Year Agreement; and

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented as a sincere expression of City Council's recognition and gratitude.

End