Speak Up for Specialists! Vol. 43

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Speak Up for SPECIALISTS

October 2021 Vol. 43

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Deadlines?

What is the point of a deadline if it can be changed without informing those who are affected? According to our CBA, Section 80.I says the deadline for displacements is October 15th.

"Adjustments due to changes in student placement, academic and behavioral characteristics of students, related service needs, and program location will be made by October 15 annually. In unforeseen circumstances where an extension is necessary, the District will notify the Association with the rationale, and a new deadline will be established."

The week of October 18th, several Music and PE Specialists were reassigned, affecting the students at at least 14 schools. Schedules at all the affected schools needed to be revamped on short notice, and some of the teaching schedules now involve .33 and .67 school assignments, creating all sorts of logistical problems.

The big question: Who dropped the ball and forgot to notify all the elementary specialists that the deadline had been extended? Is it the responsibility of our employers or our union? And why did neither do it?

What are these "adjustments"? Are they re-assignments, displacements, transfers? It is extremely unclear in our CBA. This is yet another reason why we need better language in our CBA for elementary specialists. Were the unforeseen circumstances that TPS couldn't get applicants for a bunch of .6 FTE positions?

WE NEED an elementary specialist on the bargaining team. There is a brief opening now!!!!! If you are interested in joining the 13-member team (8 certificated members and 5 OP/PT members) complete this application by 5pm on Oct 29.

Working Conditions

Because of the recent changes, we no longer have an accurate record of where specialists are deployed. Please take a moment to take the survey if you haven't already, or to re-take it if you have been reassigned.

As we look forward to improving our working conditions with the coming contract bargain, it is very helpful to know if the current CBA and staffing guidelines published by Krista Erolin are being honored. Please take a moment to share your situation in regard to caseload, schedule, planning, subbing, Covid precautions, etc. Click below to take the survey.

Take Survey

Overload

Remember to track how many students you have in overload in order to submit for pay at the end of the trimester.

Submit for pay once each trimester
Link to form
It will be noted as “Certificated Class Overage Stipend” on your paycheck.

Covering Classes

If you are pressed into sub duty, remember to document it here for TEA

TEA Documentation of Coverage

and

submit for loss of planning time.

MyTime Coverage Instructions: Use these hyperlinks within 5 days of coverage to be compensated.

Class Coverage Compensation

Here is an easy clickable contact list for TEA, TPS Administrators, and the School Board for use in keeping the lines of communications open. Updated for 2021-22

Advocacy Contact List

One Job, One Educator

Equitable Access to

Quality Instruction

Advocacy Resource Links

Ask TEA to seek Clear Contract Language for Specialists

As TEA continues to work on behalf of only some members, many specialists have been asking themselves whether or not to continue their membership in TEA.

We hope that you will stick with TEA for one more year so that we can work within the union during the 2022 open bargain. This year we have increased specialist representation in TEA-RA and have raised awareness of the issues of equity that we face. Change takes time. If we are NOT members, there is even less reason for TEA to bargain for better working conditions for us.

Please contact the TEA executive board and urge them to work on adding these points to the contract.

One Job, One Educator. When this is not possible, co-teaching language should apply.
Staffing Formula -- How many classes support 1.0 FTE? This is an issue of equity and access to quality instruction for both students and staff.
Caseload limit --There needs to be one. Currently we can be asked to serve over 250 students in a single day. This is more than anyone in the district.

*To be most effective, we suggest sending all correspondences to the entire board.