Teacher pay will go to ballot

By BRAD CAIN Associated Press Writer SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon teachers’ salaries would be tied to their “classroom performance” under an initiative that’s won a spot on the November ballot. It is sure to spark a tough fight between teachers unions and the measure’s sponsor, Bill Sizemore. The secretary of state’s office said Tuesday the measure had enough valid petition signatures to qualify for the statewide ballot, despite complaints by a union-backed group that some of the signatures were forged. Election officials are investigating the complaint, though they said the measure nonetheless has qualified. The teacher merit pay plan would tie teacher raises and job security rights to loosely defined “classroom performance,” instead of on experience or seniority levels. “The current teacher pay system is 95 percent based on... [read full story]