Cleveland OHIO teachers displaced in Innovation Schools

Barring an agreement on concessions, Cleveland is set to ax 546 teachers in June. The cuts will sweep out large blocs of staff in 10 popular "innovation schools," where side agreements with the teachers union allow principals to disregard seniority in hiring, reaching outside the system if they think it's necessary. Such newer teachers will be among the first to go.

One of the innovation schools, Warner Girls Leadership Academy, a single-gender elementary school, will say goodbye to 11 of its 18 teachers. The vacancies will have to be filled from within the union.

Principal Lesley Jones Sessler puts a brave face on the situation, saying the school will persevere.

"We can still be successful," she said. "Nowhere was it written that my teachers would be protected from something like this."

But foundations that invested millions of dollars in the innovation schools are dismayed. The cuts also may disappoint corporate and state officials who have sunk money into the initiative.

Teachers' seniority rights under assault in Cleveland, across the nation
By Thomas Ott, The Plain Dealer
May 31, 2010, 6:00AM

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Disruption is hardly a good idea for most educationally disadvantaged students ... but try telling that to WA State's OSPI. Bogus RttT turn around models appear to be on the way.