Teachers in Blissfield Schools have decided that classroom performance should dictate how pay raises are doled out under a new, 1-year contract.
The Daily Telegram of Adrian reports (http://bit.ly/MhKGtD) that teachers no longer will work under a wage scale based on seniority.
The new contract starts in August. Blissfield's old contract allowed for automatic pay hikes based on seniority and educational attainment.
Blissfield Superintendent Scott Moellenberndt says performance-based raises reflect the professionalism of the teachers and "confidence in their own abilities."
Teachers achieving "minimally effective" or "ineffective" ratings for more than one year could lose pay.
Automatic pay raises had been adding up to $110,000 to the district's annual costs.
Blissfield Schools faces a $215,000 deficit, but will end the year with a $3 million fund equity.
