A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education and the Director of Schools to take the action necessary to give pay increases to inner-city school teachers.

WHEREAS, statistics show that schools with more affluent students have a greater number of highly paid, experienced teachers than those schools in poorer inner-city areas; and

WHEREAS, according to a 1999 National Education Association report, approximately one-half of new teachers in inner-city schools will leave within the first five years; and

WHEREAS, school systems across the nation have begun offering monetary incentives to highly-qualified teachers in an effort to attract these teachers to inner-city schools; and

WHEREAS, the state of Massachusetts has offered an additional $20,000 over four years to the top 100 candidates for teaching positions; and

WHEREAS, within the Metropolitan Nashville public school system, an overall disparity exists between the test scores of suburban schools and those of inner-city schools; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Board of Public Education negotiate with the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association to give inner-city teachers a pay raise.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Board of Public Education and the Director of Schools to take the action necessary to give pay increases to inner-city school teachers.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to the Mayor, to each member of the Board of Public Education, and to the Director of Schools.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jamie Isabel