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Schools Try Bonus Plan: $15,000 Housing Aid Touted to Lure Teachers

Posted on: Thursday, 20 April 2006, 12:00 CDT

By Kathleen Lucadamo, Daily News, New York

Apr. 19--The city is dangling $15,000 housing bonuses in an effort to lure much-needed math, science and special education teachers to troubled schools.

"This is a strong economic incentive for teachers who have experience in other districts," said Chancellor Joel Klein, who has lobbied for more pay for teachers who work in shortage areas.

The offer is open to teachers certified in the three hard-to-fill specialties with at least two years' experience. They will receive a one-time $5,000 signing bonuses for broker fees, down payments on a house or security deposits, plus $400 a month for two years to help cover housing costs. In return, they must pledge to stay on for three years.

Educrats are launching a national advertising campaign to highlight the incentive in the hopes of poaching top-notch teachers from other districts. Already, school recruiters are in Washington state, Oregon and California this week meeting with prospective teachers.

Dan Weisberg, head of labor relations for city schools, predicted 100 teachers would secure the $15,000 -- costing the city $1.5 million.

The teachers -- who would undergo multiple interviews -- would be sent to one of 500 troubled schools, including those failing federal standards or are among the city's most dangerous. Math and science teachers are needed for middle and high schools while special education teachers are needed in all grades, officials said.

The plan, which required an amendment to the teachers contract, was hashed out with the United Federation of Teachers.

"Nobody goes into teaching to get rich," said UFT president Randi Weingarten, citing one of teachers' top concerns as paying for housing on a city salary. "This is a way of trying to deal with a real issue in terms of housing."

Teachers will not be required to live in the five boroughs, officials said. As part of the deal, school employees who earn less than $57,000 would be eligible for down payment assistance and middle-income teachers will qualify for city lotteries on affordable housing.

But, said Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, "The most important citizens that will benefit from this program are our children."

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Source: Daily News

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