Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Jim Lindstrom is one of the remaining old-timers on the teaching staff in ISD 831. The vocal music instructor has logged more than 35 years at Forest Lake High School.

But Lindstrom is not backing away from a plan to introduce the state-approved Q Comp to Forest Lake Area Schools with the ultimate goal of approving student achievement. As the chief negotiator for the Forest Lake Education Association, Lindstrom has endorsed the plan.

The endorsement and approval of the Q Comp plan also means the district and FLEA will begin negotiating a teacher pay system that would be tied to student performance and away from the traditional steps and lanes that have long formed the framework for teachers throughout Minnesota

The Forest Lake application was approved by the state department of education in May.

Lindstrom was among those teachers voting for the package when FLEA members approved the program 251 to 186 with 437 teachers voting.

“I think it is something that can be really positive for kids,” Lindstrom said in an interview.

Lindstrom said it is not cut and dried that steps and lanes would ultimately disappear. But an alternative form of paying teachers — something that has been on the discussion table for the past six years — will get a serious look for the 2009-2011 teacher contract.

For the 2007-2009 contract that will be open for negotiations this summer, steps and lanes will continue.

A memorandum of understanding approved by FLEA will define extra stipends and compensation that teachers can receive under Q Comp in 2007-2008. A second memorandum will either be voted on separately for 2008-2009 or added to the master agreement during a membership ratification vote, Lindstrom said.

Q Comp will be funded by state dollars and a property tax levy in ISD 831.

Staff concerns

Lindstrom said he understands the concerns of the teachers who voted against the plan.

Some are concerned with the three extra days of in-service the entire staff is required to complete in August. There is also concern for the salary schedule, he added.

The three extra days does pose a dilemma, Lindstrom said. He said he understands many teachers feel the pressure associated with staff training and other district priorities to attack bullying and cultural diversity issues.

“We don’t have time to teach,” and “We are testing all the time,” are two of the questions he hears often from teachers.

But if the district is to improve, Lindstrom believes the extra time in improving skills and working to meet goals at the district and building level will ultimately benefit kids.

He believes his point is supported by the state department. “That (the extra days) was one of the things the state department really liked about the Forest Lake application,” he said.

For those with questions, Lindstrom hopes the first test year will provide the answers the district needs to determine if Q Comp will work in Forest Lake.

ISD 831 is one of 36 districts to have Q Comp plans approved while another 150 are considering or have submitted applications to the state department of education.

Being accountable while working to be competitive has its give and take, he said. It is only wise, he said, to look at different ways to be competitive and pay teachers to excel.

The Q Comp system is also striking a cord with those who sometimes question public education, he said. “Those vocal and negative on school issues are very positive about this,” Lindstrom said.

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