Almost a month after refusing to sign a Race to the Top memorandum of understanding, the United School Employees of Pasco wants to know what its members think about the ideas in the Obama administration's school reform plan.

After all, the School Board and superintendent have signaled their plans to move ahead with the program if Florida gets a share of the competitive grant. And state lawmakers have suggested they'll put into law most of the major RTTT components regardless, to have the state in good position to qualify for more federal education funds.

Without employee buy-in, though, getting some of the key items in place would prove difficult, because they require collective bargaining. These include such things as:

• Basing teacher pay and evaluations primarily on student results
• Removing struggling teachers
• Increasing teacher training
• Providing differentiated pay

The USEP has scheduled five meetings beginning this Thursday to get some input as to how to proceed. They all begin at 4:15 p.m.

• Thursday — USEP Assembly Room
• Feb 17 — Seven Springs Middle School
• Feb. 18 — Centennial Middle School
• Feb. 24 — Weightman Middle School
• Feb. 25 — Chasco Middle School

"I have a good understanding of the issues," USEP president Lynne Webb told the Gradebook. "Now it's time to listen."