The school department’s plan to ask 150 plus teachers and paraprofessionals from five schools(*) to reapply for their own positions is on hold pending State DESE Commr. Mitchell Chester’s approval of the Turnaround Plan and perhaps some second thoughts percolating throughout Ct. St. The department’s negotiating team told the BTU’s negotiating team in late July that, with the Commissioner’s expected approval, it would reject the applications of as many as 24 staff members, the lion’s share coming from the Holland School. A report that followed in the Boston Globe suggested a bit of indecision among Ct. St. policy makers. As of this writing, it is uncertain what the school department will do.
A decision to excess teachers and other staff just prior to the opening of school will naturally create chaos and uncertainty in our schools that will outweigh any alleged good. One thing’s for sure: If the school department chooses to create chaos, the decision is theirs alone. Perhaps the school department will come to its senses; perhaps it won’t. We shall see.
(*Agassiz Elem., Dearborn MS, E Greenwood Elem., Holland Elem., and English High School.)
On pay issues and negotiations…
Negotiations for a successor contract continue, and the next meeting is scheduled for later this month. The BTU is seeking a salary increase effective 9/1/10, as well as for successor years. In the meantime, the salary schedule in effect for 2009/2010 continues. However, step advancement continues as does lane advancement, e.g., If you were on step 4 Masters 15 last school year, and you will automatically advance to step 5 Masters 15 effective 9/1/10, and so on. Lane changes, as always, remain in effect, as do newly-acquired career awards.
How do career awards work? Both teachers and paras automatically earn career awards (or longevity bonuses) after a set number of years of Boston service. The first year after a teacher (nurse, psychologist, etc.) reaches the maximum step, he/she receives a first career award. Prospectively, the same applies after 14 years of service, and every five years thereafter. The career awards are cumulative, and instructions for application can be found here. Ditto for paras, also found here. Check your pay stub in September to make sure you are on the right step, lane, and career award (if any). If you need any help, please email the appropriate field rep., Karen, Michael, or Jenna. Per diem Substitute teachers who work as per diem for more than 120 days or 150 days in a given year earn a yearly bonus.