1. What items count as hours towards renewal of my license? ER&D courses, graduate coursework in education or content area from an accredited institution; workshops and conference that you attend where professional development units are offered. Contract Reference: none
2. What is ER&D?
Our local has instructors that were trained nationally by the AFT in different courses that have been developed nationally. These courses make high level research available to classroom teachers. In our district, teachers holding a masters degree, who take ER&D courses get the equivalent of post-graduate hours toward salary credit for a nominal fee. Contract Reference: §35.055
3. What do I get paid if I perform additional after hour duties?
If it was for professional development, the hourly rate is $21. If you are presenting or facilitating (an approved in-service training), the hourly rate is $34. Contract Reference: §16.054
4. Do I get paid when attend an evening performance?
You need pre-approval from your principal to get paid for attending an evening performance to supervise students. Contract Reference: §30.0.
5. What duties are mandatory beyond the normal workday? And which are voluntary?
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Curriculum night and evening conferences are mandatory.
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Evening performances can be compensated with pre-approval from the building administrator.
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Elementary staff meetings shall dismiss by 4:15 PM. Secondary meetings shall dismiss by 4:00 PM.
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Professional development that extends past 3:45 is voluntary and compensated.
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Mandatory professional development days
If you are asked to present, and you agree to do so, you should expect to be paid for pre-approved preparation time ($30 per hour) Contract References: §16.0
6. Do I get paid when I cover a class?
Yes. You may be required by your administrator to cover a class. At the elementary level, if there is no sub provided for art, music, gym, or media you will receive payment for covering that class. Contract Reference: §29.0
7. How many staff meetings are there?
One staff meeting per month (September through May). Principals may call an additional two meetings during the school day per year. Staff meetings shall dismiss by 4 for secondary and 4:15 for elementary. All departmental and grade level meetings must be held between 8:15 and 3:45. Contract Reference: §16.05
8. How do I figure out how many sick and personal days I have?
On your pay stub you will see the number of hours you have for each type of day. Divide the hours you have by 7.5 and that is how many days you have. Teachers should see 3 personal days (for weddings, graduations, etc. or personal business that cannot be performed at any other time) on their first pay stub.
9. How are sick and personal days accumulated?
You will earn 15 sick days a year. You may have up to as many as 5 personal days. If you did not use your personal days they will carry over to the next year-with a maximum of five days. Any days over 5 will either be converted to sick days or you will be paid the daily rate of substitutes (depending on the decision you made when you were hired). Contract Reference: §35.011
10. What if a situation arises when I need to use a personal day right before or after a holiday or a vacation?
Call the union office to see if your situation warrants a special request to the Board of Education. Contract Reference: §35.03 (general personal leave information.
11. If I have class, what do I do if I need to leave early?
Speak to your supervisor and let them know when you need to leave early. 8:15-3:45 is considered the “normal work day,” but situations arise that may require an early departure from time to time.
12. What are the rights of non-tenured teachers?
They have none. In the event of a non- renewal for performance, there are hearing rights before the Board, but there is no legal remedy for the non-renewal unless there were procedural flaws in the evaluation process.
13. What do members have to do to get tenure?
They must have been employed as a limited contract teacher in the district for 3 of the last 5 years and be properly licensed/certificated. If they had tenure somewhere else they will be eligible in 2 years. Also, they must have earned at least 30 semester hours of graduate coursework from an accredited institution.Contract Reference: §13.0
