Archive: March 2003

Hours
By Steve Kaplan, UniServe Field Organizer

Article 8 - "Hours" has a number of smaller sections. Among these are:

Section 8.9 Emergency Class Coverage
This section allows a reasonable and equitable use of prep time to cover other classes in emergencies. An emergency "is any situation which could not be anticipated." Coverage under this section is limited to three hours per year without compensation. A compensation rate is set for any additional hours.

A lack of planning does not constitute an emergency. For example, being asked to cover a class for an IEP participant is not an emergency since the need for coverage could be anticipated.

Section 8.13 Early/Late Starting Times
"School site governance teams may establish their own start time on an annual basis, provided that deviations from the District schedule of early/late starting times shall not result in additional expense to the District."

There is a February 1 notification requirement.

Section 8.15 Elementary Upper Grade Support Plan
"In recognition of the higher student/teacher ratio at elementary grades four, five and six, elementary principals and their certificated staff will mutually develop an annual plan, within site resources, outlining activities and strategies the total certificated staff will implement to support the instructional program in the upper grades."

Examples of supports that have been implemented include: release from supervision duties; additional prep time (where possible without reducing required time for all teachers); aide time; and, greater access to materials budgets.