“We have a moral obligation to confront the challenges plaguing our school district and to resolve to do what is in its students’ best interest,” said Senator Turner. “Doing nothing is unacceptable, and this plan is a bold step towards creating the conditions for success for our children, our city, and our future.”
Senate Bill 325 builds off of Mayor Jackson’s original proposal, but reflects many of the compromises reached though negotiations between the mayor, the district, and the Cleveland Teachers Union. These include provisions that would preserve teacher tenure, increase the transparency of the newly-created Transformation Alliance, and allow for teacher hiring to be done at the building level instead by the central office. The contentious “fresh start” language remains, but only until the details of its replacement can be agreed upon.
“The legislation was not perfect last week and it is not perfect now, but Senate Bill 325 serves as a starting point critical to getting the legislative process moving. As agreements are reached among stakeholders, changes will be incorporated into the bill,” noted Senator Turner. “Based on the progress made over the past few weeks by all parties, I am deeply hopeful that the remaining concerns can be addressed.”
Companion legislation, House Bill 506, was also introduced in the House today by Representatives Williams and Amstutz.
“I applaud my colleagues in the General Assembly who have given the mayor’s plan a chance and who have dedicated themselves to turning his vision into reality,” said Turner. “I must also commend the hard work of all the teams from the mayor’s office, the district, and the union who have been able to bridge their differences to bring about real change for the city’s children.”
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