After extensive discussions and more than three years without a contract, Lawrence Public Schools and members of the Lawrence Teachers’ Union ratified an agreement that reinforces features critical to the turnaround of the district while also providing the union and teachers comfort on elements important to them.
This is an important moment for Lawrence. A key component of the 2010 Massachusetts state law is the authority of the receiver and commissioner to take all necessary actions to implement the Lawrence turnaround plan, including overriding collective bargaining, if necessary. In order for the turnaround to be sustainable beyond receivership, the district and the union had to come to an agreement.
Highlights of the landmark contract include a new career ladder to compensate teachers based on performance, as opposed to years of service and education.
