Training and Professional Development 11.1 The Employer will develop and maintain an employee training and development plan and provide such plan to the Union upon request. Staff training is intended to provide an opportunity for classified staff employees for training sponsored by the University Training and Development and the UW Medical Centers Organizational Development and Training. Education/Professional Leave is intended to facilitate employee access to continuing education opportunities. Training and educational/professional leave may be used for the purpose of improving job performance, maintaining and increasing proficiency, preparing staff for greater responsibility, or increasing promotional opportunities within the framework of staff positions available at the University.
11.2 Any release time for training for employees accepted for such classes shall be in accordance with the Executive Order (currently No. 52) governing this matter. In the event that two or more employees request the same training period and supervision must limit the number of persons who may participate at one time due to work requirements, the selection will be made on a mutually agreeable basis within the department.
11.3 The training program is a proper subject for discussion by either departmental or University-wide Joint Union/Management Committees.
11.4 If the Employer requires an employee to receive training, reimbursement will be provided in accordance with the University travel rules. Employee attendance at Employer required training, either during or outside working hours, will be considered time worked and compensated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
11.5 Employee attendance at training not required by the Employer and not covered by Executive Order 52, either on approved leave from or outside of working hours, will be voluntary and not considered time worked.
Professional Development 9.01 Continuous professional development is a hallmark of professional nursing practice. As a self-regulating profession, nursing recognizes the importance of maintaining a dynamic practice environment which includes ongoing learning, the maintenance of competence, career development, career counselling and succession planning. The parties agree that professional development includes a diverse range of activities, including but not limited to formal academic programs; short-term continuing education activities; certification programs; independent learning committee participation. The parties recognize their joint responsibility in and commitment to active participation in the area of professional development.
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.
Professional Development Funds 23.1.1 Two Professional Development Funds, a Professional Development Support Fund and an Education Leave Fund, shall be established to support professional development activities as defined in 23.2. On April 1st of each year, the College will allocate an amount equal to no less than 0.9% of total faculty salary (exclusive of severance payments) to the Professional Development Support Fund, and an amount equal to no less than 0.6% of total faculty salary to the Educational Leave Fund. Any unused balances in these funds shall carry over to the next budget year.
23.1.2 The College agrees to provide the Association with the authority to administer the program on behalf of the College for those activities approved by the College in accordance with 23.2, 23.4 and 23.5.
23.1.3 Nothing in this Agreement prevents the College from funding professional development activities in addition to those activities supported through the Professional Development Funds (23.1.1) in accordance with the procedures described in this Article.
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.
Counselors A. Newly ordered file cabinets for Counselors will have locks. No Counselors shall be held accountable, unless through their own negligence, for the loss of school records unless there is a secure place for storage.
B. Counselors, although generally working the same overall hours as teachers, shall be allowed to use flexible hours if it improves their service to pupils.
C. The duty of maintaining school attendance records and of coordinating school transportation services shall not be assigned to Counselors.
D. Counselors shall not be required, except in an emergency, to handle homeroom assignments, schedule or score large-scale tests, prepare school master schedules, complete entries and withdrawals and schedule conferences between classroom teachers and parents.
E. Every effort will be made, in accordance with the BCPSS Master Plan adopted and updated by the Board, to provide school counselors with access to computers, telephones, private consultation space and clerical services.
F. The Board will make every effort to reduce the case-load of Counselors. In furtherance of this objective, a committee shall be established consisting of three (3) members selected by the Union and three (3) members selected by the Board to review the current status of the effort.
G. The Board and the Union will form a committee with three (3) members appointed by each to review the utilization and effectiveness of school counseling services and make recommendations to improve services to students. One additional task of the committee shall be to develop a counselor evaluation instrument.
H. Substitutes shall be hired for counselors out for long-term illness.
I. Counselors shall have access to clerical services.
J. Formal observation of counselors shall only be done by the Office of guidance Services personnel, holding National Counselor Certification (NCC) credential and/or a Maryland Professional Counselor’s License.
Professional Development Fund Article 20
Professional Development Leave A. Policy. Professional development leave shall be made available to employees who meet the requirements set forth below. Such leaves are granted to increase an employee's value to the University through enhanced opportunities for professional renewal, educational travel, study, formal education, research, writing, or other experience of professional value, not as a reward for service.
Scope of Professional Services 3.1 On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, COUNTY hereby engages CONTRACTOR to provide all labor, materials and equipment to complete the Project/Service in accordance with the Scope of Services, attached hereto and incorporated herein as Attachment A, as modified or clarified by Addendum(s) # , dated , attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference as Attachment B. It is understood that the Scope of Services may be modified by change order as the Project/Service progresses, but to be effective and binding, any such change order must be in writing, executed by the parties, and in accordance with the COUNTY’s Purchasing Policies and Procedures. A copy of these policies and procedures shall be made available to the CONTRACTOR upon request.
3.2 The term of this Agreement shall be as follows (please check box): The parties acknowledge that this is a project specific agreement and that the single Project/Service shall be completed by the CONTRACTOR within ( ) calendar days after the Notice to Proceed is issued. The CONTRACTOR and COUNTY acknowledge that this Agreement is for a twelve (12) month term and that the CONTRACTOR shall complete the work as specified in the Scope of Services. The COUNTY has the option to renewal this Agreement for four (4) additional one (1) year period(s). The prices set forth in this Agreement shall prevail for the full duration of the initial contract term unless otherwise indicated elsewhere in this document. Prior to completion of each exercised contract term, the COUNTY may consider an adjustment to price based on changes in the following pricing index: CPI. It is the CONTRACTOR’s responsibility to request any pricing adjustment in writing under this provision. The CONTRACTOR’s written request for adjustment should be submitted thirty (30) calendar days prior to expiration of the then current contract term and clearly substantiate the requested increase. The written request for adjustment should not be in excess of the relevant pricing index change. If no adjustment request is received from the CONTRACTOR, the COUNTY will assume that the CONTRACTOR has agreed that the optional term may be exercised without pricing adjustment. Any adjustment request received after the commencement of a new option period shall not be considered. The COUNTY reserves the right to reject any written price adjustments submitted by the CONTRACTOR and/or to not exercise any otherwise available option period based on such price adjustments. Continuation of the contract beyond the initial period, and any option subsequently exercised, is a COUNTY’s prerogative, and not a right of the CONTRACTOR. This prerogative will be exercised only when such continuation is clearly in the best interest of the COUNTY. All work shall be performed in accordance with good commercial practice. The work schedule and completion dates shall be adhered to by the CONTRACTOR except in such cases where the completion date will be delayed due to acts of God, strikes, or other causes beyond the control of the CONTRACTOR. In these cases, the CONTRACTOR shall notify the COUNTY of the delays in advance of the original completion so that a revised delivery schedule can be appropriately considered by the COUNTY. No additional days shall be granted for rain delays.
3.3 The CONTRACTOR shall be solely responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals and permits to complete the Project/Service.
3.4 The CONTRACTOR shall remain appropriately licensed and/or employ the services of a subcontractor who is appropriately licensed throughout the course of the Project/Service. Failure to maintain all required licenses shall entitle the COUNTY, at its option, to terminate this Agreement.
3.5 Although this Agreement identifies specific facilities to be serviced, it is hereby agreed and understood that any County department or agency facility may be added to this Agreement at the option of the County. When required by the pricing structure of the Agreement, the CONTRACTOR shall be invited to submit price quotes for these additional facilities. The additional site(s) shall be added to this Agreement by formal modification. The COUNTY may obtain price quotes for the additional facilities from other vendors in the event that fair and reasonable pricing is not obtained from the CONTRACTOR or for other reasons at the County’s discretion. Although this Agreement identifies specific facilities to be serviced, it is hereby agreed and understood that any County department or agency may delete service for any facility when such service is no longer required, upon fourteen (14) calendar days written notice.
3.6 The CONTRACTOR acknowledges that it has sufficient understanding of the nature and location of the work; the general and local conditions, including but not limited to, those bearing upon transportation, disposal, handling and storage of materials; availability of labor, water, electric power, and roads; and uncertainties of weather or similar physical conditions at the site; the character of equipment and facilities needed preliminary to and during the completion of the Project/Service. The CONTRACTOR further acknowledges that the CONTRACTOR has satisfied itself as to the character, quality and quantity of surface and subsurface materials, obstacles or conditions of the site. Any failure by the CONTRACTOR to acquaint itself with any aspect of the work or with any of the applicable conditions shall not relieve the CONTRACTOR from responsibility for adequately evaluating the difficulty or cost of successfully performing the work required, nor shall it be considered a basis for any claim for additional time or compensation. The COUNTY assumes no responsibility for any conclusions or interpretations made by the CONTRACTOR on the basis of the information made available by the COUNTY. The COUNTY also assumes no responsibility for any understanding or representations made by its officers or agents during or prior to the execution of this contract, unless such understanding or interpretations are made in writing and incorporated herein by reference.
3.7 If required, the Contractors shall attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting. Whether or not there is a mandatory or non-mandatory pre-bid, the contractor shall be required to carefully examine any supplied drawings and/or specifications and be thoroughly aware regarding any and all conditions that may in any manner affect the work to be performed under the contract. If a pre-bid meeting is not required the Contractor shall visit the site to familiarize themselves with the Project/Service, see existing conditions, and take measurements. No additional allowances will be made for lack of knowledge of these conditions.
3.8 In the event of any conflict between the drawings and specifications contained within this Agreement, the following shall govern:
A. Addenda shall supersede all other contract documents to the extent specified in the addenda. Subsequent addenda shall supersede prior to addenda only to the extent specified therein.
B. Drawings and specifications are intended to agree and be mutually complete. Any item not contained within the drawings, but contained in the specifications, or vice-versa, shall be provided and/or executed as shown in either the drawing or specification at no extra costs to the COUNTY. Should anything not included in either the drawing and/or the specifications be necessary for the proper construction and/or operation of the Project/Service as herein specified, or should any error or disagreement between the specifications and drawings exist or appear to exist, the CONTRACTOR shall not derive unjust benefit thereby, or use such disagreement counter to the best interests of the COUNTY. The CONTRACTOR shall immediately notify the COUNTY’s Project Manager of any discrepancy and await the Project Manager’s direction before proceeding with the work in question.
3.9 CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that CONTRACTOR shall utilize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify system in accordance with the terms governing use of the system to confirm the employment eligibility of:
A. All persons employed by the CONTRACTOR during the term of this Agreement to perform employment duties within Lake County; and
B. All persons, including subcontractors, assigned by the CONTRACTOR to perform work pursuant to the contract.
3.10 CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that, in accordance with Section 255.099, Florida Statutes, if the Project/Service assigned to CONTRACTOR is being supported in whole or in part by State funding the CONTRACTOR shall give preference to the employment of state residents in the performance of the work on the Project/Service if state residents have substantially equal qualifications to those of non- residents. If the CONTRACTOR is required to employ state residents, the CONTRACTOR shall contact the Department of Economic Opportunity to post the employment needs in the State’s job bank system. However, in work involving the expenditure of federal aid funds, this section may not be enforced in such a manner as to conflict with or be contrary to federal law prescribing a labor preference to honorably discharged soldiers, sailors, or marines, or prohibiting as unlawful any other preference or discrimination among the citizens of the United States.
Professional Development Days Upon request, each Employee shall be granted at least three (3) professional development days annually for professional development, at the Basic Rate of Pay. An Employee shall be advised, prior to taking any professional development days of any transportation, registration fees, subsistence and other expenses that will be paid by the Employer. Such hours not used in each fiscal year shall not be carried forward into subsequent years. Applications for such paid professional development opportunities shall be made in writing, to the Employer as early as possible.
