WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) announced an agreement with D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) to provide full retirement benefits under Option Two of the 2007 – 2012 Collective Bargaining Agreement for excessed permanent status WTU members whose most recent evaluation score is Effective or Highly Effective and who have twenty or more years of service.

Beginning in fiscal year 2013, DCPS will allocate $1.7 million each school year through fiscal year 2018, totaling $10.2 million, to fund full retirement benefits for excessed permanent status WTU members.

“I’m proud to deliver an agreement to WTU members that honors existing terms in the union contract that have not been funded in the past, and steers away from litigation while allowing us to move forward,” said WTU President Nathan A. Saunders. 

Saunders continued, “Option Two was specifically designed to lessen the burden for Effective and Highly Effective veteran teachers who choose to leave the public school system, and for the first time, good teachers are not being penalized for a change in school needs, restructuring, or fiscal challenges.”

“It’s clear that we have an evolving school system in the District of Columbia and I’m pleased to deliver on my assurance for a positive change in resources for public school teachers.”

Last week, DCPS issued excess notices to 333 WTU members, some of whom may be eligible for Option Two. Excessing is an elimination of a teacher’s position when schools have declines in student enrollment, budget reductions, changes in school programs, or when schools close or restructure.