LJ;703206 wrote:The state's constitution can still be changed though. That isn't a problem. We did it with Gambling. The problem would arise if it were a Federal court ruling, but obviously it is not.
Oh, I'm aware. I'm just saying a better case could be made that way.
coach_bob1;703209 wrote:O-Trap,
I think we may be on the same idea with minor differences. I favor merit-based pay as long as an objective standard is set. Part of the problem with the bill is that it just says "a wage or salary may be paid based upon merit" while it does not elaborate further. I am aware that elaborating further would turn this 475 page bill into thounds of pages. I also think public employees should be allowed to bargain as a group for insurance puposes due to the amount of money group rates actually save the state.
Typically, the state will default to a group rate for that very reason. It's why companies do it, essentially. They make it good enough to be a competitive employer, but they do it by group to ensure they maximize the amount they save on a per-employee basis.
The problem with hard-line metrics in ANY company or industry is that the responsibilities, metrics, etc. are too varied to use a single evaluational base. Moreover, there are jobs which are quite necessary, but whose performance cannot be evaluated by clearly defined metrics (sales tiers, etc.).
It really can, and does, work without that though I completely understand the reservation. The bottom line, however, is that any employing entity today runs too great a risk of high turnover if they don't offer competitive compensation, ESPECIALLY to well-trained, educated professionals if they skimp too much on the compensation, even without a metric.
I do agree that there does need to be a metric, but I think the metric needs to be in place to evaluate the districts. If they are employing competent teachers, and these metrics are met, then they've done their job. At that point, the district is then under pressure to ensure good teachers are teaching, and that turnover is low, and in order for them to get good, long-term teachers, they'll need to be paying a fair wage.