PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY 1. Within the bounds of the prescribed curriculum, and consistent with effective educational methodology and practice, and within established District and/or school goals and objectives, teachers shall have individual professional autonomy in determining the methods of instruction and the planning and presentation of course materials in the classes to which they are assigned.
2. The Board and the Association agree that, consistent with the purpose of the evaluation process, an evaluator may recommend teaching practices different from those being used by the teacher.
Professional Development Fund Article 20
Professional Development Committee There shall be a Professional Development Committee composed of two (2) members of the Association one of whom shall be the Bargaining Unit President or designate and two (2) representatives of the Hospital one of whom shall be the Chief Nursing Officer or designate and one human resources representative.
Directors, Trustees and Shareholders and Massachusetts Business Trust It is understood and is expressly stipulated that neither the holders of shares in the Fund nor any Directors or Trustees of the Fund shall be personally liable hereunder. With respect to any Fund which is a party to this Agreement and which is organized as a Massachusetts business trust (“Trust”), the term “Fund” means and refers to the trust established by its applicable trust agreement (Declaration of Trust) as the same may be amended from time to time. It is expressly agreed that the obligations of any such Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Trust, personally, but bind only the trust property of the Trust, as provided in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust. The execution and delivery of this Agreement has been authorized by the trustees and signed by an authorized officer of the Trust, acting as such, and neither such authorization by such Trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust.
Union/Management Committee There shall be a union/management committee comprised of four (4) employee representatives appointed by the Union and four (4) employer representatives. The Committee's purpose is to provide and promote effective and meaningful communication of information and ideas and to make joint recommendations on matters of concern. Matters that are properly the subject of an individual grievance will not be discussed at this committee. The Committee will meet quarterly, unless agreed otherwise, at a time and place mutually agreed to provided there is business for their joint consideration. The parties will exchange agenda items at least one (1) week prior to the meeting. The parties further agree the Committee may meet at any time its members mutually agree a meeting should be held. The duties of the Chairperson will be shared by the parties. Copies of the minutes shall be provided to Committee members. The employer agrees to pay for time spent during regular working hours for representatives of the union attending such meetings. The parties may utilize video or teleconferencing services for the purposes of committee members attending committee meetings, where appropriate and available. Neither party can unreasonably deny an initiative to utilize video or teleconferencing services.
Massachusetts Business Trust With respect to any Fund which is a party to this Agreement and which is organized as a Massachusetts business trust, the term “Fund” means and refers to the trustees from time to time serving under the applicable trust agreement of such trust, as the same may be amended from time to time (the ‘Declaration of Trust”). It is expressly agreed that the obligations of any such Fund hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the Fund personally, but bind only the trust property of the Fund as set forth in the applicable Declaration of Trust. In the case of each Fund which is a Massachusetts business trust (in each case, a “Trust”), the execution and delivery of this Agreement on behalf of the Trust has been authorized by the trustees, and signed by an authorized officer, of the Trust, in each case acting in such capacity and not individually, and neither such authorization by the trustees nor such execution and delivery by such officer shall be deemed to have been made by any of them individually, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust as provided in its Declaration of Trust.
Local Professional Development Committee A. There shall be a Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) to oversee, review, and approve individual professional development plans (IPDP) for course work, continuing education units and/or other equivalent activities.
1. The LPDC shall be responsible to recommend for the Superintendent’s approval, all in-service activities and workshops offered in the district during the school year for staff professional development.
2. Recommendations for District Workshops and In-Service activities should be submitted to the LPDC for approval and recommendation no later than the last school day of the year prior to the year it will be implemented.
3. The LPDC chair shall review and approve all “Professional Growth Reimbursement Application” forms.
B. The LPDC shall consist of three (3) teachers appointed by the Association President and two (2) members appointed by the Superintendent. One of the Superintendent's appointees will be a Principal employed by the district.
C. Appointments shall be for two (2) years with half of the committee members being appointed every other year.
1. Appointments shall be made on or before May 1.
2. The Appointments shall be made by each party outlined above, notifying the other of those appointed.
3. In the event of a vacancy, the committee members shall be replaced in accordance with "B." above.
4. The Association shall name a fourth teacher member and the Superintendent shall name a third administrative member to serve as alternates and attend trainings. These two (2) people shall act as substitutes when a committee member is absent.
D. This committee shall meet monthly.
1. The committee may also be convened by the request of two sitting members.
2. A quorum shall consist of five (5) members. When administrative licenses/certificates are reviewed, two (2) sitting teacher members will abstain and the decision will be decided by three (3) members.
3. If the committee determines it is needed, they will be provided two (2) professional release days to meet during regular school hours. Substitutes will be provided for the committee members on these release days.
4. Committee members shall be provided an additional annual stipend of $1,000 for meetings beyond the normal work day or year. This stipend shall be paid in two (2) semi-annual payments. Any member who fails to serve the full year shall have the above compensation prorated on a monthly basis for each month served.
5. Decisions of the LPDC will be made by consensus of the committee members present.
6. The committee minutes shall be prepared and maintained in compliance with the laws governing the operation of committees of public bodies.
Joint Union/Management Committee It shall be appropriate for either the Union or the University to request that a Joint Union/Management committee be convened, with Environmental Health and Safety as a participating member, to discuss health and safety concerns and to explore options for addressing those concerns through appropriate training or other approaches.
WASHINGTON’S STATEWIDE PAYEE DESK Contractor represents and warrants that Contractor is registered with Washington’s Statewide Payee Desk, which registration is a condition to payment.
Professional Development Program (a) The parties agree to continue a Professional Development Program for the maintenance and development of the faculty members' professional competence and effectiveness. It is agreed that maintenance of currency of subject knowledge, the improvement of performance of faculty duties, and the maintenance and improvement of professional competence, including instructional skills, are the primary professional development activities of faculty members.
(b) Information collected as part of this program shall be the sole property of the faculty member. This information or any judgments arising from this program shall not be used to determine non-renewal or termination of a faculty member's contract, suspension or dismissal of a faculty member, denial of advancement on the salary scale, nor affect any other administrative decisions pertaining to the promotion or employment status of the faculty member.
(c) A joint advisory committee consisting of three regular faculty members who shall be elected by and are P.D. Committee Chairpersons and three administrators shall make recommendations for the operation, financing and management of the Professional Development Program.