KC contract includes teacher bonuses

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City teachers would be eligible for bonuses up to $500 each if their school meets goals for student attendance and performance and parent meetings, under a new contract approved by the school board Monday.

The contract still needs the approval of the district's 3,000 teachers. Union leaders have recommended its approval, district leaders said.

"It's a good contract," Superintendent Bernard Taylor Jr. said. "We are tying people's pay to their performance. This shows we are serious about student achievement."

Librarians, counselors, secretaries, security guards, teacher aides and clerks also could receive bonuses if schools meet student attendance goals and score high enough on the Missouri Assessment Program tests. Taylor said this was part of an effort to transform schools into communities in which all employees are responsible for student achievement.

The contracts would be retroactive to July 1.