The biggest stumbling block in Mayor Jackson’s Cleveland schools’ overhaul was the so-called “fresh start “provision. It would have voided any union contracts once they expired, an idea the union said they would never endorse. 

Mayor Jackson says concessions on other parts of the plan have made it possible to throw out the fresh start provision all together. 

“At the end of the day, we don’t think it’s really needed," Jackson said. 

The revised plan gives the district more power in shutting down failing schools. It bases teacher layoffs on merit and uses seniority as a tie-breaker instead of as the sole factor.  It creates a new salary schedule that takes into account performance and training. “

Union President David Quolke says some of his members may not be thrilled about the agreement, but ultimately he believes the plan is in the best interests of Cleveland students. 

“The agreement is far from perfect. And like any negotiation, this is a give and take. But because it holds the promise of helping students in Cleveland succeed and it protects the voice teachers have in building a quality education system, it is an agreement that we support and hopefully will be able to build off of.” 

The plan requires changes in state law. If legislators agree with it, the overhaul will be implemented after June of 2013, when the current teachers union contract expires.