Good post. I have experience too, and would propose that teachers be hired every year based on a value to the school that is determined by a combination of many factors.
1. Tests of students need to be administered at least twice so that a teacher gets tested on learning on the average and not on the basis of having a class of high achievers while some other teacher gets stuck with the class described in your post.
2. Rating by parents and students after the class has been finished
3. Ratings by administrators
4. Demand for the teacher during enrollment
5. Scores on teacher proficiency exams given periodically
6. Rates of continuation for classes that are elective — for example does a student take more math than is required to graduate? This may reflect on the performance of the math department.
If all teachers were subject to the above rehire policy, then schools would weed out poor performers and of course the Union would also be gone.
Under this policy, teachers would be treated like the professionals we want them to be, and good teachers would improve student standard test scores.
And one final note, students should be permitted to enroll in any school in town with tax money on a percentage basis going to the school from the community — yes, like a voucher system. This is the ultimate in teacher assessment.
All of those suggestions sound desirable and plausible in an environment which supports the teachers and their maintenance of discipline in the classroom. The main sticking point with your proposed solution is that “x-factor” of administration not supporting teachers in classroom management directives. As it stands currently, it is nigh impossible to teach in an environment where students have very few/no repercussions for not following classroom/school rules.
Fix that one sticking point and your plan sounds like a winner!
-EA