Common use of Teaching Assignments Clause in Contracts

Teaching Assignments. 14-1 Teachers shall be notified of their tentative subject areas, grade level assignments, and building assignments for the following school year, insofar as possible, no later than May 15 of each year. If this is not possible, the teacher will be notified by May 15 when to expect the notification. 14-1 1 Teaching schedules in each school shall be developed through a collaborative process between administration and teaching staff. 14-1 2 When an employee in high school has an assignment with more than three preparations in core subject areas, the employee may request to discuss the assignment with the administration and department chair. 14-2 In arranging schedules for teachers who are assigned to more than one school, the amount of inter-school travel shall be held to a minimum. In arranging such schedules, principals shall make reasonable efforts to allow appropriate time for travel, lunch, planning, and other job requirements and shall make reasonable efforts to keep the number of class preparations to a minimum, and to assign the teacher, where practicable, to one classroom per building. Such teachers shall be notified of any change pertaining to school assignment within a school as soon as practicable. 14-2 1 Teachers using their own automobile to travel between schools, or in conjunction with their assigned job responsibilities, will be reimbursed for all authorized and documented travel at the rate allowed by the I.R.S. regulations or Board policy, whichever is greater. 14-3 The parties recognize that a teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach and that the teacher’s energies should, to the greatest extent possible, be utilized to this end; therefore, non-teaching assignments shall be kept to a minimum. 14-4 Teachers shall not be required by the District to transport pupils at any time. 14-5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal or appropriate program administrator will engage teacher(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered for the assignment. A consensus decision is preferred; however, in the absence of such decision, the principal or appropriate program administrator has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations: 1. The teacher’s endorsement area(s); 2. The teacher’s certification; 3. The teacher’s experience, including length of service in the District and the most recent teaching experience; 4. The teacher’s educational preparation and training; and, 5. Whether such change in assignment is educationally sound.

Teaching Assignments. 14-1 A. Preference Forms (High School and Middle Schools) 1. Teachers shall be notified of their tentative subject areasprovided with standard- ized teaching assignment preference forms at the same time class estimates are distrib- uted. These forms shall include a place for homeroom preference, optional duties, grade level assignmentsassignment, plus a separate sec- a. Study halls will count as a choice in the preference course selection process. Caf- eteria and building assignments for which supple- mentary contracts are needed will not count as selections in the preference course selection process. Teachers will be precluded from the selection of study halls if such selection would result in the need for additional staff. b. Study halls will not be assigned to a teacher in the science, math, social stud- ies or English departments if such as- signment causes a significant increase in the teacher-student ratio of the other department members; or if the assign- ment results in three (3) non-course as- signment class periods. c. Participation in the preference process shall be limited to those who have taught at least three (3) classes in a department within a single school, or will be teach- ing three classes in a department. d. Teachers who do not comply with the three (3) class rule will be assigned de- partmental courses still available after regular department members have their full assignments. This provision shall ap- ply to study halls and optional duties. e. All teachers, regardless of their current assignment, who have been notified of a transfer to a different school will have the privilege of filing a preference form for teaching assignments at that school if the preference process has not been completed. Otherwise, teaching prefer- ence provisions may not be applicable until the following school year. f. Preference forms shall be completed in both the receiving and sending schools if the transferee to the sending school is unknown. 2. Teaching assignments for the ensuing school year shall be based on preference forms submitted to each teacher by April 15, insofar as possibleand assignments shall conform to the procedures below. a. Principal shall submit the number of courses and/or sections for each depart- ment to each department chairperson along with the preference forms. b. The department chairpersons shall then meet with their department for the pur- pose of distributing teaching assignment preference forms and estimates to the de- partment members. c. Within fifteen (15) days after April 15, no later than May 15 each department chairperson shall meet with each department for the purpose of each yearconstructing tentative class assign- ments. If Teachers who fail to file a prefer- ence form prior to this is departmental meeting shall be excluded from the as- signment process. These meetings must be announced at least three (3) calendar days in advance, however. Preference forms must be available for inspection at the departmental meeting and copies must be provided to the principal who will keep all preferences in a place avail- able to any teacher at the school. d. Every effort shall be made to construct a department schedule that equitably dis- tributes course, grade, honors, and grouping assignments. When preference forms present choices not possiblein conflict, the teacher principle of equitability will be notified consid- ered to have been fulfilled. Algebra I when taught in the 8th grade shall be taught by a 7-12 licensed math teacher. e. Prior to May 15, each principal shall meet with each department to assist in the scheduling process if such assistance is needed or requested by either party. Principals shall announce tentative schedules by May 15 when to expect the notificationeach department member. 14-1 1 Teaching schedules in each school f. If circumstances regarding teacher schedule assignments are relatively equal, or if conflicts exist after the above meetings have been held, departmental seniority shall be developed through a collaborative process between administration and teaching staff. 14-1 2 When an employee in high school has an assignment with more than three preparations in core subject areas, the employee may request to discuss the assignment with the administration and department chair. 14-2 In arranging schedules for teachers who are assigned to more than one school, the amount of inter-school travel shall be held to a minimumdetermining factor. In arranging such schedules, principals shall make reasonable efforts to allow appropriate time for travel, lunch, planning, and other job requirements and shall make reasonable efforts to keep the number of class preparations to a minimum, and to assign the teacher, where practicable, to one classroom per building. Such teachers shall be notified of any change pertaining to school assignment within a school as soon as practicable. 14-2 1 Teachers using their own automobile to travel between schools, or in conjunction with their assigned job responsibilities, will be reimbursed for all authorized and documented travel at the rate allowed by the I.R.S. regulations or Board policy, whichever is greater. 14-3 The parties recognize that a teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach and that the teacher’s energies should, to the greatest extent possible, be utilized to this end; therefore, non-teaching assignments shall be kept to a minimum. 14-4 Teachers shall not be required by the District to transport pupils at any time. 14-5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal or appropriate program administrator will engage teacher(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered for the assignment. A consensus decision is preferred; however, in the absence of such decision, the principal or appropriate program administrator has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations: 1. The teacher’s endorsement area(s); 2. The teacher’s certification; 3. The teacher’s experience, including length of service in the District and the most recent teaching experience; 4. The teacher’s educational preparation and training; and, 5. Whether such change in assignment is educationally sound.(See Article

Teaching Assignments. 14-1 Teachers shall be notified 1. During the month of their tentative subject areasApril, grade level assignmentsMay or June, and building assignments for the following school year, insofar as possible, no later than May 15 of each year. If this is not possible, the teacher will be notified by May 15 when to expect the notification. 14-1 1 Teaching schedules in each school shall be developed through a collaborative process between administration and teaching staff. 14-1 2 When an employee in high school has an assignment with more than three preparations in core subject areas, the employee may request to discuss the assignment with the administration and department chair. 14-2 In arranging schedules for teachers who are assigned to more than one school, the amount of inter-school travel meeting shall be held to a minimumfill all vacancies known at the date of the meeting. In arranging such schedulesAll teachers are required to provide documentation (i.e. copy of teaching certificate with appropriate endorsements, principals IPS approved portfolio, or proof of successful completion of MTTC-MI test for teacher certification or other state recognized standards) at the bid meeting to substantiate that they are highly qualified for the position into which they are bidding/bumping. Written requests submitted to the Superintendent prior to the meeting shall make reasonable efforts to allow appropriate time for travelbe considered. Displaced teachers not attending the meeting may be administratively assigned. All assignments shall be made on the basis of certification, lunchqualifications and seniority, planningas specified in Article XII, Section 4 and other job requirements Article XIII, Section 2, Subsections b and shall make reasonable efforts to keep the number of class preparations to a minimum, and to assign the teacher, where practicable, to one classroom per building. Such f. All teachers shall be notified of any change pertaining such an assignment meeting at least ten (10) days in advance. a. The most seniored teacher (or proxy) attending the meeting will have the following options: 1. Stay in her/his current assignment 2. Pass (in order to school assignment within select later). 3. Select to transfer into a school vacancy, 4. Transfer/bump (if she/he is displaced) into another teaching position. If a new vacancy is created during the meeting, the most seniored teacher who has elected to pass will have the first opportunity to bid into the new vacancy. The selection of a position by a teacher will be reversed if the selection results in a teacher unnecessarily being laid-off due to the transfer or bumping made by a teacher. 2. Changes in K-6 teacher assignments shall be voluntary, unless student enrollment or program revision requires a change. After the Board determines the number of class sections to be offered in each department in grades 7-12, and subject to the provisions of Article XIII, Section 2, Subsection f, the yearly master schedule for teachers will be developed in accordance with the following provisions. a. Teachers will be able to retain their class sections on a yearly basis regardless of seniority. b. Additional class sections will be available to teachers on the basis of certification and seniority. c. From the class sections selected under this section of the Agreement, the teacher may designate two (2) preparations with up to four (4) class sections which would be exempt from Subsection d below. d. After conferring with the teacher and applying Subsections a, b, and c above, the principal may remove and reassign one (1) class section from each teacher. 3. Teachers will be advised as soon as practicableis practicable of their assignments for the coming school year. It is expected that these assignments will be announced by July 1. If changes in assignments are necessitated beyond July 1, the administration will make a reasonable effort to notify the teacher. 14-2 1 Teachers using their own automobile to travel between schools, or in conjunction with their assigned job responsibilities, will be reimbursed for all authorized and documented travel at the rate allowed by the I.R.S. regulations or Board policy, whichever is greater. 14-3 The parties recognize that a teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach and that the teacher’s energies should, to the greatest extent possible, be utilized to this end; therefore, non-teaching assignments shall be kept to a minimum. 14-4 4. Teachers shall not be required by assigned outside the District to transport pupils at any timescope of their teaching certificates or their major or minor field of study, except temporarily and for good cause. 14-5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal or appropriate program administrator will engage teacher(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered for the assignment. A consensus decision is preferred; however, in the absence of such decision, the principal or appropriate program administrator has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations: 1. The teacher’s endorsement area(s); 2. The teacher’s certification; 3. The teacher’s experience, including length of service in the District and the most recent teaching experience; 4. The teacher’s educational preparation and training; and, 5. Whether Any position of department chairperson shall be defined as a teaching position, unless such change appointment requires more than one-half (1/2) of the teacher's usual work day for duties related to the direct supervision of other teachers. Departments in assignment the secondary schools may be created by the Superintendent, based upon recommendations from the building principals, and the duties of chairpersons of these departments shall be as recommended by the building principals and approved by the Superintendent. However, under no circumstances shall a department chairperson evaluate, observe, or supervise another teacher, unless such action is educationally sound.requested by the teacher. If a teacher accepts appointment to the position of department chairperson, he/she shall be compensated according to Schedule B.

Teaching Assignments. 14-1 Teachers 1. The collaborative decision–making committee shall be notified meet for the purpose of their tentative subject areas, grade level assignments, reviewing the timetable and building staff assignments for the following next school year for K-12 and the next term for Continuing Education and any new or existing teaching positions that require filling in the school or Continuing Education. Every attempt will be made to have a teacher's assignment within his or her teaching area. a. In timetabling and preparing teacher assignments, a number of factors shall be considered, including: the number of course preparations and subject areas involved; staff qualifications, training and experience; teacher preferences; the number of classroom locations and the balance among staff assignments for the year/term. b. Whenever possible, a staff meeting or collaborative decision–making committee meeting or both shall be held for the purpose of discussing the proposed timetable, school or Continuing Education program organization and staff assignments for the next school year/term. c. A teacher who is not satisfied with a proposed assignment in a school or Continuing Education program may appeal the assignment to the principal or Continuing Education administrator who will make a recommendation based on Article E. 22.1. a. d. If a concern still exists, insofar as possiblethe teacher may request a meeting with the zone assistant superintendent. The teacher shall be entitled to be accompanied by a CTA representative in this meeting. e. It is agreed that the subject of Article E. 22.1 subsection a – d is specifically excluded from the provisions of Article A.6. f. Where a teacher is declared surplus to a school or Continuing Education because of declining grade and/or course enrolments the following shall apply: i. The teacher(s) retained on the staff will be those with the greatest seniority, no providing they possess the necessary qualifications for the position(s). ii. Should the teacher obtain a position which includes a significantly different grade level or significantly different subject, the Board shall endeavor to provide the necessary support and in–service. g. All reassignments in K-12 resulting from Article E. 22.1. f shall be initiated by the Board not later than May 15 of each year save and except for when they are necessitated by circumstances not reasonably known by the Board by April 30 of such year. If this is not possible, the teacher will be notified by May 15 when to expect the notification. 14-1 1 Teaching schedules h. All reassignments in each school Continuing Education resulting from Article E. 22.1. f shall be developed through initiated by the Board no later than two weeks after the beginning of a collaborative process between administration term. 2. Beginning Teacher Program a. Beginning teachers shall be provided with assistance and teaching staffconditions to help them with their introduction to teaching. 14-1 2 When an employee in high school has an assignment with more than three preparations in core subject areas, the employee may request to discuss the assignment with the administration and department chair. 14-2 In arranging schedules for teachers who are assigned to more than one school, the amount of inter-school travel shall be held to a minimum. In arranging such schedules, principals shall make reasonable efforts to allow appropriate time for travel, lunch, planning, and other job requirements and shall make reasonable efforts to keep the number of class preparations to a minimum, and to assign the teacherb. Provisions include, where practicable, to one classroom per building: i. a teaching assignment where the most demanding classes in the school are not the responsibility of a beginning teacher; ii. Such teachers shall be notified of any change pertaining to school assignment within a school as soon as practicable. 14-2 1 Teachers using their own automobile to travel between schools, or in conjunction with their assigned job responsibilities, will be reimbursed for all authorized and documented travel at the rate allowed release time when deemed appropriate by the I.R.S. regulations superintendent of schools or Board policy, whichever is greater.designate; 14-3 The parties recognize that iii. a teacher’s primary responsibility is mentor or coaching program in the school; iv. an orientation and induction program; v. assistance from district resource staff; vi. and such other jointly sponsored activities which may be provided from time to teach and that the teacher’s energies should, to the greatest extent possible, be utilized to this end; therefore, non-teaching assignments shall be kept to a minimum. 14-4 Teachers shall not be required by the District to transport pupils at any time. 14-5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal or appropriate program administrator will engage teacher(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered for the assignment. A consensus decision is preferred; however, in the absence of such decision, the principal or appropriate program administrator has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations: 1. The teacher’s endorsement area(s); 2. The teacher’s certification; 3. The teacher’s experience, including length of service in the District and the most recent teaching experience;(Language removed by legislation) 4. The teacher’s educational preparation Mainstreaming and training; and, 5. Whether such change Integration (Language in assignment is educationally sound.a., b., c., e., and f., removed by legislation)

Teaching Assignments. 14-1 Teachers 1. The collaborative decision–making committee shall be notified meet for the purpose of their tentative subject areas, grade level assignments, reviewing the timetable and building staff assignments for the following next school year for K-12 and the next term for Continuing Education and any new or existing teaching positions that require filling in the school or Continuing Education. Every attempt will be made to have a teacher's assignment within their teaching area. a. In timetabling and preparing teacher assignments, a number of factors shall be considered, including: the number of course preparations and subject areas involved; staff qualifications, training and experience; teacher preferences; the number of classroom locations and the balance among staff assignments for the year/term. b. Whenever possible, a staff meeting or collaborative decision–making committee meeting or both shall be held for the purpose of discussing the proposed timetable, school or Continuing Education program organization and staff assignments for the next school year/term. c. A teacher who is not satisfied with a proposed assignment in a school or Continuing Education program may appeal the assignment to the principal or Continuing Education administrator who will make a recommendation based on Article E. 22.1. a. d. If a concern still exists, insofar as possiblethe teacher may request a meeting with the zone assistant superintendent. The teacher shall be entitled to be accompanied by a CTA representative in this meeting. e. It is agreed that the subject of Article E. 22.1 subsection a – d is specifically excluded from the provisions of Article A.6. f. Where a teacher is declared surplus to a school or Continuing Education because of declining grade and/or course enrolments the following shall apply: i. The teacher(s) retained on the staff will be those with the greatest seniority, no providing they possess the necessary qualifications for the position(s). ii. Should the teacher obtain a position which includes a significantly different grade level or significantly different subject, the Board shall endeavor to provide the necessary support and in–service. g. All reassignments in K-12 resulting from Article E. 22.1. f shall be initiated by the Board not later than May 15 of each year save and except for when they are necessitated by circumstances not reasonably known by the Board by April 30 of such year. If this is not possible, the teacher will be notified by May 15 when to expect the notification. 14-1 1 Teaching schedules h. All reassignments in each school Continuing Education resulting from Article E. 22.1. f shall be developed through a collaborative process between administration and teaching staff. 14-1 2 When an employee in high school has an assignment with more than three preparations in core subject areas, the employee may request to discuss the assignment with the administration and department chair. 14-2 In arranging schedules for teachers who are assigned to more than one school, the amount of inter-school travel shall be held to a minimum. In arranging such schedules, principals shall make reasonable efforts to allow appropriate time for travel, lunch, planning, and other job requirements and shall make reasonable efforts to keep the number of class preparations to a minimum, and to assign the teacher, where practicable, to one classroom per building. Such teachers shall be notified of any change pertaining to school assignment within a school as soon as practicable. 14-2 1 Teachers using their own automobile to travel between schools, or in conjunction with their assigned job responsibilities, will be reimbursed for all authorized and documented travel at the rate allowed initiated by the I.R.S. regulations or Board policy, whichever is greaterno later than two weeks after the beginning of a term. 14-3 The parties recognize that a teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach and that the teacher’s energies should, to the greatest extent possible, be utilized to this end; therefore, non-teaching assignments shall be kept to a minimum. 14-4 Teachers shall not be required by the District to transport pupils at any time. 14-5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal or appropriate program administrator will engage teacher(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered for the assignment. A consensus decision is preferred; however, in the absence of such decision, the principal or appropriate program administrator has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations: 1. The teacher’s endorsement area(s); 2. The teacher’s certification; 3. The teacher’s experience, including length of service in the District and the most recent teaching experience; 4. The teacher’s educational preparation and training; and, 5. Whether such change in assignment is educationally sound.

Teaching Assignments. 14-1 Teachers A. All general and special education teachers shall be notified in writing of their tentative programs for the coming school year, including the school to which they will be assigned, the grades, and/or subjects that they will teach, and any special or unusual classes that they will have under normal circumstances not later than June 10th. Changes in assignments after notification shall not be made arbitrarily or capriciously. B. All vacancies occurring within a school or department that the Board decides to fill shall be adequately publicized by posting in every school a notice of such vacancy and via email to each teacher’s Board email address as far in advance of the appointment as possible and ordinarily at least thirty (30) days in advance. The Superintendent has the right to fill the vacancy for the interim period until the position is filled. Qualified teachers now in service shall have the right to make application and receive first consideration for assignment to the position Qualified teachers now in service shall have the right to make application and be interviewed by the Superintendent. In deciding whether to voluntarily transfer a teacher, the Superintendent shall act in the best interests of the school system as determined by him or her and shall be guided by, among other factors, the following criteria (not listed in order of importance): 1. Contributions which the staff member could make to the program and to the students in the new position; 2. Length of service in North Stonington Schools; 3. The needs of the program, department or grade the teacher seeks to vacate, the contributions the teacher has made thereto, and the qualifications of the teacher for his or her current position; 4. Certification of the staff member as compared to all other candidates for the positions to be filled; and 5. Opportunity for professional growth. C. Changes in grade assignment in the elementary schools and in subject assignments in the secondary schools are sometimes necessary and even beneficial. Such teachers shall be notified of any changes in their tentative subject areas, grade level assignments, and building assignments for the following school year, insofar schedules as soon as possible, no later than May 15 of each year. If this is not possible, the teacher will be notified by May 15 when to expect the notification. 14-1 1 Teaching schedules in each school shall be developed through a collaborative process between administration and teaching staff. 14-1 2 When an employee in high school has an assignment with more than three preparations in core subject areas, the employee may request to discuss the assignment with the administration and department chair. 14-2 D. In arranging schedules for teachers who are assigned to more than one schoolschool building, an effort shall be made to limit the amount of inter-school travel shall be held to a minimum. In arranging such schedules, principals shall make reasonable efforts to allow appropriate time for interschool travel, lunch, planning, and other job requirements and shall make reasonable efforts to keep the number of class preparations to a minimum, and to assign the teacher, where practicable, to one classroom per building. Such teachers shall be notified of any change pertaining to school assignment within a school changes in their schedule as soon as practicable. 14-2 1 Teachers using their own automobile E. The Superintendent shall reserve the right to travel between schools, or poll the staff at midyear in conjunction with their assigned job responsibilities, will be reimbursed for all authorized and documented travel at the rate allowed by the I.R.S. regulations or Board policy, whichever is greater. 14-3 The parties recognize that a teacher’s primary responsibility is order to teach and that the teacher’s energies should, to the greatest extent possible, be utilized to this end; therefore, non-determine teaching assignments shall be kept to a minimum. 14-4 Teachers shall not be required by the District to transport pupils at any time. 14-5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal or appropriate program administrator will engage teacher(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered staffing changes for the assignment. A consensus decision is preferred; however, in the absence of such decision, the principal or appropriate program administrator has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations: 1. The teacher’s endorsement area(s); 2. The teacher’s certification; 3. The teacher’s experience, including length of service in the District and the most recent teaching experience; 4. The teacher’s educational preparation and training; and, 5. Whether such change in assignment is educationally soundyear.