The District’s much-ballyhooed teachers contract showed more signs of crumbling apart Wednesday, as the city’s accounting chief won’t approve a deal tied to the job security of Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, his office said.
Nearly $65 million from private foundations was promised to help fund the teachers contract, which would give teachers a 22 percent pay raise through 2011-12, but $45 million of that is contingent on Rhee keeping her job.
Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi will not certify the contract unless the money is guaranteed, spokesman David Umansky said.
“The money has to be assured; it can’t be conditioned,” he said of the potential deal breaker.
Umansky said the development stalled Gandhi’s analysis of the contract, expected to be released Thursday.
Sources in Mayor Adrian Fenty’s administration said there have been weeks of tense back-and-forth negotiations between finance and schools officials. Gandhi told Rhee he wouldn’t certify any plan without more money from the city budget in case the private foundations pull out, sources said.
Without certification, council members cannot vote on the contract, and some expressed doubt about its prospects Wednesday.
“Obviously, we’ve got to be responsible,” said D.C. Council Chairman and mayoral candidate Vincent Gray. “What is deeply disconcerting is that this all should have been worked out before being presented to the public. I don’t know how Dr. Gandhi certifies it under those conditions. It’s precarious.”
Councilwoman Mary Cheh, D-Ward 3, added, “We don’t want to bury our head in the sand if it’s not financially sound.”
If Gray defeats Fenty, it is not certain if Rhee would remain in charge of the District’s much-maligned schools. Fenty has said Rhee will stay on if he wins re-election.
The Walton Family Foundation pledged $25 million and the Robertson Foundation $19.5 million for the teachers contract, but both could abandon funding if D.C. Public Schools leadership changes.
Rhee and Gandhi will appear before the D.C. Council on Friday.
In addition to pay raises, the contract calls for performance-based bonuses of up to $30,000 and the option of early retirement or a $25,000 buyout for unsuccessful teachers.
