PERRYSBURG – About one-quarter of eligible Perrysburg teachers signed up for an optional
performance-based pay system the school introduced by the district in December.
Eighty-six of 310 eligible staff members received a $1,500 one-time bonus for opting-in to the system,
which awards yearly performance raises and bonuses based on points awarded for milestones like
certifications and achievement in students’ measured growth. The sign-up bonuses are paid through state
grant money, and anyone not on the plan who opts in for next school year can receive $1,000.
Failing to earn the 70 points to get to a permanent raise triggers a one-time bonus that is not added to
an employee’s base salary. Performance evaluations cannot result in a pay reduction. Teachers will be
measured in five categories: professional growth, organizational citizenship, student growth,
collaboration and attendance.
"We’re very pleased that almost a third of our teachers have already moved to the new system,"
said Aura Norris, executive director of human resources and operations. "This is a testament to the
collaborative process we used to design it."
The committee that arranged the performance-based compensation system was comprised of 24 members,
including teachers, the superintendent and treasurer, and representatives of local businesses,
universities and non-profit organizations. They developed the plan in partnership with the school board
to align with the district’s mission and strategic plan. It also reflects the latest research by leading
experts in the field.
The guiding principals of the system are rewarding quality instruction, attracting and retaining
high-quality faculty, rewarding staff regardless of seniority or position, using valid measurements of
student growth to help assess staff performance, fostering collaboration and teamwork, and
sustainability.