Common use of Physical Environment Clause in Contracts

Physical Environment. 1. The preservation of safe, wholesome and pleasant surroundings is a paramount concern of both the Board and the Association. There shall be a continued alertness by the Board and the teachers to prevent hazardous conditions at all times in all buildings. The arrangement of furnishings in the classroom shall be for the optimum educational setting as determined by the teacher subject to the approval of the principal. 2. To the extent feasible in existing buildings and in designing new buildings and rehabilitating existing buildings, the Board will provide in each school building: a. Lounges, conference rooms and lavatories, appropriately furnished and maintained shall be conveniently available for the professional staff. The lounge and conference room facilities will not be used for regularly scheduled meetings without prior consultation with the building faculty. b. A teacher workroom and storage space of suitable size and location containing adequate equipment and supplies to meet the needs of teachers in preparing instructional materials. c. Each teacher shall be provided with sufficient storage facilities to meet the needs of his/her assignment; the location of such facilities shall be accessible to the teacher without disruption of others. d. A system whereby teachers can effectively and expeditiously communicate with the main building office in the event of an emergency. The Board or its designated representative agrees to meet and confer with the Association to seek mutually acceptable solutions where these conditions do not prevail. 3. Safe and adequate parking facilities will be maintained and the Board will provide additional parking facilities where needed. 4. Outside telephone lines shall be available for teacher use for professional and/or emergency purposes. All toll and long distance calls must be recorded in the school. 5. The Board recognizes that appropriate textbooks, library reference facilities, maps and globes, laboratory equipment, audio-visual equipment, art supplies, athletic equipment, current periodicals, standard tests, questionnaires and similar instructional materials are the tools of the teaching profession. The Board shall make every effort at all times to keep the schools reasonably and properly equipped with such materials. The Board further recognizes the value of teacher participation in the selection and use of instructional materials and agrees to the participation of teachers in the process of selection of school materials, but the Board reserves the right to approve final purchase and selection of such materials of instruction. 6. No teacher shall be required to work in a building in preparation for the daily teaching assignment beyond the contractual teacher's day.