Jean Clements was more than a little surprised when Gov. Charlie Crist called her cell phone on Monday seeking her advice on SB 6, the bill that would overhaul Florida teacher contracts for years to come.

The Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association president tells the Gradebook that she encouraged the governor to veto the bill, but also to do more than that.

"We talked about how to move forward," Clements said. "It's not just a matter of saying no."

Forces in the Legislature remain committed to items in the bill such as teacher performance pay, she observed. Many teachers agree with the concepts, too, she added, "but it needs to be done right."

So if Crist does kill the bill, Clements urged him to bring all parties back to the table to talk about the salvageable ideas from the bill and the Race to the Top philosophy so that Florida can continue improving education.

Crist, she said, "listened very respectfully." But he promised nothing. Stay tuned.

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