Board wanted ability to fire "a handful of useless, incompetent, deadwood teachers"

The teachers union posted a copy (pdf) of a board proposal from a month ago that includes some language that has offended the union officials. From the Post-Gazette:

In the offer, [board member Paul] Adametz suggests the board consider a "revenue neutral increase" of 5 percent annual raises. Mr. King has previously stated that a 4 percent annual increase is the board's "best and final offer."

Mr. Adametz said in the proposal that the additional 1 percent would require the elimination of a few positions. He said that would be possible because the district has 250 fewer students than it did several years ago, but "dozens" of new teachers.

The proposal also suggests that in exchange for the 5 percent raise, the board should have the ability to fire, at will, up to 1 percent of the teachers per year without fear of grievances or lawsuits.

"With nearly 600 teachers on staff, there has to be more than a handful of useless, incompetent, deadwood teachers that I wouldn't want anywhere near my kids," Mr. Adametz stated in his proposal.

"Obviously, we're insulted," said Pat Andrekovich, lead negotiator for the union.