Some teachers’ union officials in Washington are urging educators at 50 schools slated for closure or academic overhaul in the nation’s capital to reject a buyout offer announced earlier this month by Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee that would let up to 700 teachers accept bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 in exchange for leaving in June.
Washington Teachers’ Union officials say teachers are upset that Ms. Rhee dropped an initial proposal to offer an “early out” program to those nearing retirement. Candi Peterson, a member of the union’s board of trustees, criticized the buyout program, saying it encourages young and midlevel teachers to resign.