After three years, a lead teacher would earn $70,000.

Each class has a lead teacher whose background is in special needs, supported by two to four assistants.

The lead teacher would agree to work 10 percent more time and waive some seniority rights.

By the third year of the contract, a lead teacher would earn $70,000 a year, an incentive, union and school officials say, for good teachers.

Most of the lead teachers will be assigned to elementary schools.

Hiring lead teachers is also cheaper than other mentoring programs.

The variances in program rules range from education requirements for a lead teacher to health and safety inspections.

But the best-paid lead teachers do earn $65,000 to $68,000.

The lead teacher is certified and has three years of experience.

"The principal is the lead teacher, but also the lead learner," she said.