By Victor Skinner
EAGnews.org

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pressure from a group of local ministers has convinced Kentucky’s Jefferson County school district and teachers union to implement reforms in their new contract that will give school officials more leeway in hiring teachers.

A group of prominent black ministers recently held a press conference to urge the local school board and teachers union to increase flexibility for school officials who hire and fire teachers, as well as increase students’ access to teachers, as they craft a new contract, according to media reports.

MORE NEWS: From Classroom to Consulate Chef: Culinary Student Lands Dream Job at U.S. Embassy in Paris

“That contract with the union must not hinder our children from getting a quality education,” Jerry Stephenson, state director of the Black Alliance for Educational Options, said at the press event designed to highlight lagging student performance among the district’s black children.

The public pressure apparently worked, as school and union officials announced this week they’re working to give principals “more authority” in the hiring process, WDRB reports.

Previously, principals were required to hire teachers strictly based on seniority, and would only interview the three most-senior candidates on the transfer list to fill a position. Under the proposed changes to the contract, principals would have a larger pool of candidates, although details on the new policy haven’t yet been finalized, the television station reports.

“There are many great teachers out there. But we have to find the one that fits our school the best, and so this gives us more options, which I’m very pleased with,” Jeffersontown High School Principal Marty Pollio told WDRB.

“ … (A)nytime we can go from three to many more options to interview to find the best fit for the students at J-town, those that are going to fit the school the best, I think it’s a great benefit to our school,” he said.

The group of local ministers agreed, but they’re not sure the new policy is sufficient. Stephenson believes the district can do better.

MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK

“I like the words that it’s saying, that ‘principals will have more authority.’ I would prefer it to say, ‘full authority’ instead of ‘more.’ They should have full authority. That’s what they need to have,” he said.

Stephenson said he’ll reserve final judgment on the new policy until the full details are released.

The school board and union membership have yet to approve the deal.