11. Teaching Conditions and Physical Setting
11.1: Classroom Observations
11.2: School Day
11.3: Teaching Load
11.4: Class Size
11.5: Curriculum
11.6: Grades
11.7: Parent Relationships
11.8: Records
11.9: Extra Duties
11.10: School Regulations
11.11: Classrooms
11.12: Educational Responsibilities
11.13: Assistance to Students
11.14: Leaving School Premises
11.15: Supervisory Responsibilities
11.16: Faculty Meetings
11.17: Instructional Materials
11.18: Instructional Resource Center
11.19: Typing and Duplicating Facilities
11.20: Access to Buildings Outside of School Hours
11.21: Public Service Activities
11.22: Permanent Substitutes
11.23: Subject Area Specialists/Librarians
11.24: Coaches
11.25: Cooperative Training Coordinator
11.26: Home Economics (if In-School Vocational Courses)
11.27: Audio Visual
11.28: Registered Nurses
11.29: Driver Education – Home Instruction – Evening School Instructors – Curriculum Development
11.30: Psychologists and Social Workers
11.31: High School and Middle School Department Chairs/Team Leaders
11.32: Medicaid Duties
11.33: Elementary Special Education Case Managers
11.34: High School and Middle School Special Education Department Chairs
11.35: Speech and Language Pathologists
11.36: Reading Teachers
11.37: Teacher Instructional Leaders
11.38: Student Support Leaders
11.39: Vocal/Instrumental Music Teachers
11.40: Mentors
11.41: Use of Electronic Devices
11.1: CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS
Arrangements for Observations:
In order to maintain a structured learning environment and ensure student safety and confidentiality, any observation by anyone other than administrative personnel will be scheduled mutually by the teacher and the principal, and they shall agree on a date and time for the visit or observation. The teacher shall not be allowed to deny a visit or observation, although he/she may request a second observer in the room during the visit or observation.
Released Time of Teachers for Classroom Observations:
Any teacher may request approval for released time from regular teaching duties for the purpose of visiting and observing another classroom or other teaching situations in the school, in another school in the district, or in a school outside the district. Such visits and observations shall be for the purpose of improving that teacher’s teaching effectiveness and/or to report the observations to other teachers. If approved by the immediate supervisor, a substitute shall be provided without loss in pay to the teacher granted such approval.
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11.2: SCHOOL DAY
Length of School Day:
The length of the assigned school day for teachers shall not exceed seven and one-quarter consecutive hours.
All teachers shall have release time for the purposes of conducting parent-teacher conferences. One three hour evening session, followed by one full school day shall be allotted for these conferences. Schedules shall be approved by the building principal. Students and teachers shall be dismissed 60 minutes early on each day immediately preceding Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks and on the evening Parent-Teacher Conferences. This time will be in exchange for the afternoon/evening hours worked during the conferences in order to acquire evening conference hours.
The following days will be 60 minute early dismissal for students: First Day of School, End of First Quarter, Day before Thanksgiving, Day before Winter Break, Day before Spring Break, End of Third Quarter.
Teachers will work their full contract day on: First Day of School, End of First Quarter, End of Third Quarter.
Students and teachers shall be dismissed 60 minutes early on each day immediately preceding Thanksgiving and winter break and on the day of the evening Parent/Teacher Conferences. This time will be in exchange for the afternoon/evening hours worked during the conferences.
B. Lunch Periods and Preparation Periods:
1. Middle and High school teachers shall be provided a 30 minute, duty-free lunch period and not less than one preparation period per day. The length of the preparation period
shall be defined as the regular class period length in the school of assignment. Every effort will be made to ensure that teachers receive their allotted preparation time, however a preparation period cannot be guaranteed when exigencies occur such as school-wide testing, field days, etc. In the event that a preparation period must be eliminated because of a school-wide event, written notice or schedule of events will be provided to staff informing them of the upcoming change and the reason for such change. With regard to teacher preparation periods and approved department chairpersons periods, teachers shall not sell, trade or give away these periods where doing so would preclude a qualified teacher on layoff from being recalled for employment to fulfill instructional responsibilities for such a period(s). If qualified RIFd staff have not responded affirmatively within 15 days after an offer has been made by the Board to staff such a period(s), the Board may offer the period(s) to teachers willing to voluntarily fill these vacancies with reimbursement, or to qualified individuals who may or may not have been in the prior employment of the District. During the interim, while the Board is seeking a qualified assignee, current staff may be used to voluntarily fill, with reimbursement, these vacancies.
2. Elementary teachers, including kindergarten, traveling, and specialized teachers, shall be provided at least a 45 minute, duty-free lunch period and the equivalent of not less than a 30 minute preparation period per day of which no block of preparation time will be less than 15 consecutive minutes. Every effort will be made to ensure that teachers receive their allotted preparation time, however a preparation period cannot be guaranteed when exigencies occur such as school-wide testing, field days, etc. In the event that a preparation period must be eliminated because of a school-wide event, written notice or schedule of events will be provided to staff informing them of the upcoming change and the reason for such change. Every effort shall be made to schedule preparation periods during pupil attendance hours. If such a scheduling during pupil attendance hours proves to be impossible, a conference will be held to discuss the problems with the teacher involved.
Traveling Teachers. Travel time shall be scheduled so that it does not infringe upon the traveling teacher’s stated lunch period. Every effort shall be made to schedule travel time so that it does not infringe upon the traveling teacher’s stated preparation period, in which no block of time will be less than 30 minutes. Travel teachers may flex their preparation time at one school to travel and prepare for their additional school’s planning where prep time was unavailable. If travel time must infringe upon preparation time, a conference will be held to discuss the problems with the teacher involved.
Definition and Utilization of Preparation Periods
The preparation periods referenced above for high school, middle school, elementary school, and traveling teachers shall be reserved for activities which in the opinion of the employee are conducive to the effective delivery of instruction.
Unless such preparation periods have been encumbered by a site-based decision of the faculty in a building to include required and scheduled collaborative conversations among that faculty for the purpose of reflection on teaching, data review and analysis, student work and assignment review, and joint planning for teaching, such encumbrance shall be voluntary.
In all cases of site-based decisions which encumber any planning periods, such encumbrance shall be limited to 30 minutes per week or one period per week in the case of high school or middle school teachers. Evidence that a consensus decision has been implemented in a building to encumber preparation period time shall be forwarded in writing to the SEA President by the building principal within five (5) work days. An SEA building representative shall sign such notice. Any encumbrance of preparation period time shall be limited in effect to a single school year and may be extended on a yearly basis only by a renewed site-based decision.
C. Recess Period – Elementary:
One morning and one afternoon supervised recess not to exceed 15 minutes shall be permissible at the elementary level (K-5). The recess supervision schedule shall be made by mutual consent of the teachers and the principal and may be on a rotating basis.
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11.3 TEACHING LOAD
A. Teaching Periods for High School and Middle School Teachers:
The daily teaching period for middle school teachers shall not exceed five out of six periods or an equivalent ratio. The daily teaching period for high school teachers shall not exceed six out of seven periods or an equivalent ratio.
B. Consecutive Class Periods:
Every effort will be made at the high school level and middle school level to ensure that no teacher be required to teach more than four consecutive classes without a break (i.e., lunch or preparation periods). If a teacher desires to teach more than four consecutive classes, he/she may file a request with the Principal or his/her designee.
C. Limits on Academic Subject Preparation:
In all middle and high schools every effort will be made to limit a teacher’s academic subject preparation to a maximum of three. In the event an assignment exceeding this maximum is deemed necessary, such will be made only after consultation with the teacher. If such an assignment is not agreeable to the teacher, the staff member will be granted an extra preparation period. (Any teacher so affected may upon request be released from his/her contract or be granted a leave of absence, not to exceed one year.) What constitutes a different subject within a given academic discipline shall be defined by the department chairpersons in the discipline, district-wide, and the Superintendent or his/her designee.
D. Limit on Teacher’s Responsibility:
A teacher shall not be required to assume the responsibility of another teacher’s students simultaneously with his/her own for more than two hour without teacher approval. The teacher shall receive curriculum rate for the time exceeding two hours.
E. Traveling Teachers:
1. A traveling teacher shall mean any teacher who is a traveling instructional staff member.
2. Traveling teachers shall be assigned to only one principal for scheduling of supervisory duties. These duties will be equal to those of the regular teachers.
3. Traveling teachers and non-instructional teachers shall have at least 30 minutes of travel time between the completion of a class in one building and the commencement of another class in a different building. At the request of the teacher, a conference will be held with the travel teacher, building principal(s) and coordinator to discuss schedule and travel time problems, should the travel time provided not be adequate.
4. See section 11.2B3 for additional reference to travel time.
5. Traveling teachers shall be assigned to one school as a major assignment and the other school(s) shall be considered the minor assignment(s). Major assignments shall be designated as the school in which the traveling teacher spends the majority of his/her hours in a regular work week. If a traveling teacher spends an equal amount of time in his/her school(s) then the major assignment shall be determined by the Office of Human Resources in consultation with the affected principals and the affected teacher(s).
6. Every reasonable effort shall be made to allow traveling instructional staff to remain at their major building assignment(s) from the previous year, contingent upon the number of sections to be served in each building and in accordance with the Singleton Rule. Such assignments may be modified as a result of actions of a court of competent jurisdiction, an exigency facing the District, restructuring of grade levels, or by written agreement(s) of the Association and the District. Changes in a teacher’s major assignment shall be consistent with Article XVII.
7. If two or more teachers are eligible for the same position, said position shall be assigned to the most senior in-building teacher, if any, and then to the most senior teacher. The Association may have a representative at such meeting.
8. For those elementary art, music, and physical education teachers who have more than one classroom, the maximum pupil contact hours shall not exceed 24 hours per week for teachers who do not travel out of the building and shall not exceed 22 hours per week for teachers who travel out of the building. and every effort will be made to schedule similar grade levels back to back. Every effort shall be made to ensure that no classroom shall be scheduled for both periods of a class on two consecutive days.
9. Traveling teachers who are assigned to more than one building during the week but do not travel during the school day are exempted from 11.3E6 above.
10. Every effort shall be made to provide prep space at each assigned workplace. Where this is not possible, each travel teacher shall be provided a secure place to keep his/her professional/personal items.
F. Nurses will coordinate with their supervisor to schedule their 30 minute duty free lunch at a mutually agreed upon time.
G. Elementary teachers shall teach to the guidelines the District has adopted and on which it annually reports, with the understanding that flexibility is allowed to account for SEL, health, science and social studies. The teachers shall communicate via lesson plans any variance from guidelines to administration. It is understood that teachers shall have the professional autonomy to differentiate instruction within district curriculum guidelines and resources to the benefit of student learning.
H. Beginning in the summer of 2020, employees shall have access to available student rosters and records appropriate to the employee’s classification no later than the employee’s first contractual day with the understanding that student rosters may change.
11.4 CLASS SIZE
A. Class Size Ratios and Maximums:
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, no class in grades K-2 will exceed 26 and no class in grades 3-5 will exceed 29. No class in grades 6-12 shall exceed 31 except in special education, physical education, driver education, music, team teaching, individualized instruction, and similar programs. High school teachers shall have a student load maximum of 165 students. All alternative education sites shall have a class size limit of 14.
Where space will not allow for another physical classroom to reduce class size, numbers in that particular grade in elementary classrooms K-5 can revert to 30. Middle and High school classrooms can revert to 33 if space is not available.
All efforts will be made to make classrooms available for classes before being used for coaching areas and or offices, if consultation with those members has been held with union building leadership.
Possible Solutions:
* Where staff is not available to teach a classroom the district and the union will work together to collapse classrooms where numbers allow and move staff to where they are needed.
* Teacher or teaching teams will be consulted if there is a mid-year increase in class size as to what will happen with their numbers.
If solutions are not viable class sizes will stand.
B. Classes Exceeding Contractual Limits:
1. When the number of students enrolled in a class exceeds contractual limits, the following procedures will be implemented:
a. The principal will notify the Superintendent or his/her designee. The classroom teacher or Association Representative will notify the SEA President or his/her designee. This notification will be completed within five student attendance days of the initial violation.
b. The District has a grace period of 10 student attendance days (15 if at the beginning of the school year) from the day the overage occurs to resolve the class size violation without grievance from the Association.
2. The District will provide the President of the SEA with a copy of each month’s elementary school class size report within 10 calendar days of the following month. In addition, the President will be provided a copy of the middle and high school class size report collected on the eleventh day of each semester within a 10 calendar day period. The Superintendent or his designee will notify the SEA President of any class size violation which has not been resolved within the “grace” period. The President of the SEA or his/her designee will be notified by the teacher or the Association Representative of the action taken.
3. Any class size violation exceeding the 10 day “grace” period will be filed at Level IV.
C. Combination Classes:
Every effort will be made to avoid combination classes in our elementary schools. When a combination class is necessary, classes will be limited to 26 students. Further, every effort shall be made to prevent a teacher from having to teach a combination class two years in a row. Anyone required to teach a combination class shall be involved in the process of selecting students for that class. A teacher assigned to a combination class shall be paid an annual stipend of 5% of the step 1/column 1 base salary in addition to the regular teaching salary.
D. Special Education:
Concerning special education rules and regulations, Administrative Code and School Code will define the rules which govern special education placement. In the event that
the Administrative Code and/or the School Code changes its rules regarding special education placement, SEA and the district agree to bargain the impact of those rules prior to the implementation of those rules.
E. Speech & Language Pathologists: Caseload Size:
Speech and language pathologist caseload size will be developed in compliance with the Illinois State Board of Education recommended guidelines.
F. High School and Middle School Physical Education Classes:
Limit high school and middle school P.E. class size to 45 students per teacher per period.
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11.5 CURRICULUM
The teachers shall put into operation the courses of study designed by the Superintendent and employ such approved methods of teaching as will most completely cover the study field and improve the pupils. They will develop, in cooperation with the principal and administrative staff, adequate standards of achievement.
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11.6 GRADES
Teachers shall administer the approved marking system or other approved means of evaluating pupil progress. Middle and high school teachers will update the online grade book at least once every two weeks to help with communication to students and families. Extenuating circumstances can be discussed between teacher and administrator. The teacher shall maintain the responsibility and right to determine grades and other evaluations of students within the grading policies of the District based upon his/her professional judgment of available criteria pertinent to any given subject area or activity to which he/she is responsible. No grade or evaluation shall be changed without notification to the teacher concerning the nature and reasons for such change; and if such a change is made, the person making the change shall assume such responsibility for determining the grade or evaluation, and shall mark as administratively assigned and shall initial such change. Mid-point of each grading term, teachers shall notify each parent whose child is in danger of failing. The forms provided for notification will be submitted to the counselors in middle/high school and to the principals in the elementary schools.
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11.7 PARENT RELATIONSHIPS
A. Parent Relationships:
Teachers will establish and maintain the best possible teacher-home relationship, so long as the same does not detract from good teaching, nor from the respect necessary in maintaining proper discipline.
B. Solicitation of Parents to Purchase Material or Equipment:
At no time during his/her employment by the Board shall a teacher solicit present or prospective parents of his/her pupils for purchase of material, equipment, or services provided by teachers to their students and parents, which have been obtained by coerced or inappropriate pressure, and which may result in monetary gain or other emolument to the teacher or employee concerned. He/She should never use his/her position as a school employee as an entering wedge in a business transaction.
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11.8 RECORDS
A. Each teacher will keep accurate records that are reasonable and necessary and prepare required reports. A continual study of record keeping shall be made by the teachers and administrators to avoid unnecessary duplications.
B. The District shall provide K-5 teachers computerized label attendance reports on a quarterly basis for report cards.
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11.9 EXTRA DUTIES
A. Consent of Teacher:
Extra duty assignments shall be made wherever and whenever possible with the consent of the teacher. This shall not be interpreted to mean periodic meetings of the faculty, School PTA Open House, or other such type meetings (e.g. staffings). Required evening duties shall be limited to the following: one annual parent-teacher conference, one open house, and two annual events intended to meet the need for family engagement.
B. Extra Curricular Activities:
1. Extra Curricular Activities:
Each teacher will assume his/her respective share of extra-curricular activities which are related to the instructional program. Every effort shall be made to confine these activities within the school day as established by the Board. It is to be recognized, however, that some of these activities must extend beyond the 7.25 hour work day. Each teacher may be assigned a portion of miscellaneous services and activities of the school, such as the preparation of programs and extra-curricular activities.
2. Supervision
Teachers are expected to provide supervision before and after class time as assigned by the principal. Elementary teachers may be assigned before and after school student supervision not to exceed 40 minutes per week. This elementary supervision shall occur within the normal 7.25 hour work day. Exceptions could be made under unusual circumstances or in schools with less than five teachers.
C. Specialized Duties:
Certified personnel shall not be required to perform specialized duties in such areas as nursing, library, and counseling. This would not preclude teachers from performing regular and ordinary nursing, library, and counseling duties which he/she would normally perform.
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11.10 SCHOOL REGULATIONS
Teachers should be familiar with all district and building regulations and cooperate with principals and the rest of the teaching staff in seeing that the rules and regulations are carried out. It shall be the responsibility of the building administrator(s) to provide copies of these written regulations to each teacher.
It is understood that teachers, at times, may find it necessary to make personal calls. Outgoing personal phone calls should be limited to emergencies or business that cannot be handled after hours. The District shall be reimbursed for all personal long distance calls.
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11.11 CLASSROOMS
Teachers recognize the necessity for keeping the classroom atmosphere as physically conducive to learning as possible, and will strive to create such an atmosphere.
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11.12 EDUCATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
All teachers should devote constant attention to keeping abreast of new methods and concepts pertinent to most effectively meeting the needs of pupils.
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11.13 ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS
Teachers will make every effort to provide remedial help and enrichment for all students who require or request the same and for all students whose parents request the same.
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11.14 LEAVING SCHOOL PREMISES
Except during his/her scheduled lunch period, a teacher may leave the school premises during his/her regularly assigned hours only with the permission of the building principal or the principal’s designee and upon proper notification to the school office.
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11.15 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Students are to be supervised at all times while on school premises or other school related activities, such as field trips. Principals will discuss duties and responsibilities of teachers regarding supervision of the students and will establish the necessary duty rosters. It is the teacher’s responsibility to be on duty as scheduled.
B. Efforts shall be made to minimize the assignment of administrative duties to teachers.
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11.16 FACULTY MEETINGS
A. Length of Faculty Meetings:
Except for an emergency as determined by the administration, there shall be no more than 12 faculty meetings per year. Faculty meetings shall not exceed 45 minutes in length.
B. Days for Faculty Meetings:
Except in an emergency, meetings which take place after the regular school work day which require attendance shall not be called on Fridays or on any day immediately preceding any holiday, or other day upon which teacher attendance is not required at school.
C. Teachers May be Excused from Meetings:
In emergency situations teachers may be excused from meetings.
D. Prior Notice of Meetings:
Whenever practicable the notice of meetings shall be given to the teachers involved at least two days prior to the meeting. Teachers shall have the opportunity to suggest items for the agenda.
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11.17 INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Each instructional staff member shall be given the opportunity to submit requests for instructional material and supplies for the following school term. Copies of the purchase orders for each building shall be available as soon as practicable. Teachers new to the district shall be instructed concerning requisition procedures at the time of employment or during the pre-school orientation.
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11.18 INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE CENTER
The resource center shall be continued, as a permanent source of instructional materials for teacher use. The center shall include a professional library for teachers and, insofar as possible, all textbooks and supplemental books currently used in the District.
In addition to the regular daytime hours, the resource center shall be available for teacher use at the following times: two evenings per week during the school year, and two full weeks (or four weeks of one-half days) prior to the opening of school.
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11.19 TYPING AND DUPLICATING FACILITIES
The Board agrees to make available for each building typing and duplicating facilities.
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11.20 ACCESS TO BUILDINGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL HOURS
With prior approval of his/her principal, a teacher will be allowed access to his/her building outside of school hours for the preparation of materials, plans, and ideas for future classes. Said teachers shall be responsible for the security of such buildings to the extent that security is affected by the teacher’s presence.
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11.21 PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES
The Board shall encourage participation of teachers in public service activities. However, when public service would detract from the performance of professional duties or result in absence from regularly assigned teaching duties of the contractual period, prior permission must be secured from the Superintendent. When such public service results in compensation for activities during the regularly assigned teaching duties of the contractual period of the regularly certified staff member, such compensation shall be deposited with the District. The teacher shall not suffer compensation loss for such service, but the District cannot, by law, allow teachers to receive added compensation for service during the period of the teacher’s regularly assigned teaching duties during the contractual period. Such service should not reduce the teacher’s compensation, but neither should the teacher receive more than regular salary during the regularly assigned teaching duties of the contractual period. The Superintendent will recommend procedures to make this effective.
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11.22 PERMANENT SUBSTITUTES
Each high school shall be provided a minimum of two permanent substitutes. Each elementary quadrant shall be provided up to four first-call substitutes. The Special Education Center shall be provided one first-call substitute.
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11.23 SUBJECT AREA SPECIALISTS
Special subject areas and library times at the elementary level shall be scheduled at the following increments of time:
– P.E.; grades 1-5: 30 minutes (two times per week)
– Music; grades 1-5: 30 minutes (two times per week)
– Art; grades 1-5: 60 minutes (one time per week)
11.24 COACHES
Any high school assistant or middle school coach who is appointed as head coach on the high school level (in the same sport in which he/she has been working) shall receive one year’s credit on the percentage scale for every two years’ credit on the coaches compensation salary schedule earned as an assistant or middle school coach in the District. Any high school head coach who is appointed as a head coach in an equivalent sport shall receive one year’s credit on the percentage scale for every year of experience in the equivalent sport. Equivalent sports shall be all sports which are offered to boys and girls including, but not limited to, basketball, soccer, tennis, track, and cross country. Equivalent sports shall also include baseball and softball, cross country and track, and cheerleading and pom pons.
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11.25 COOPERATIVE TRAINING COORDINATORS (Diversified Occupations, Cooperative Work Training, Office Occupations, Home Economics Occupations, Distributive Education, Work Experience and Career Exploration, and Pre-Vocational Counselors)
A. All currently employed full-time cooperative training coordinators shall work 13 working days in addition to the regular school year. All currently employed part-time cooperative training coordinators shall work eight working days in addition to the regular school year. Salary for these additional days shall be calculated on a per diem basis.
All full-time cooperative training coordinators hired after May 31, 2011 shall work ten working days in addition to the regular school year. All part time cooperative training coordinators hired after May 31, 2011 shall work five working days in addition to the regular school year. Salary for these additional days shall be calculated on a per diem basis.
B. A full-time load for a full-time cooperative education teacher coordinator shall be two cooperative education classes and one preparation period. The remaining time shall be used for general coordination duties. A full-time load for a part-time cooperative education teacher coordinator shall be one cooperative education class, two additional classes, and one preparation period. The remaining time shall be used for general coordination duties. No additional duties such as hall duties, noon-time cafeteria supervision, study hall supervision, etc. shall be assigned to any teacher coordinator. This will give the cooperative education teacher coordinator the freedom to schedule student conferences, parent conferences, and training station supervisor conferences during the noon hour and other hours that would be used for the various supervisory periods mentioned. This time is essential to ensure the success of the cooperative education program.
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11.26 HOME ECONOMICS
Home economics instructors shall work one working day in addition to the regular school year. Salary for the additional one day shall be calculated on a per diem basis.
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11.27 AUDIO-VISUAL
Upon recommendation of the building principal each high school and middle school may have one of its regular certificated teachers as an audio-visual coordinator who shall receive monetary compensation as specified by the Extra-Curricular Duty Compensation Schedule.
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11.28 REGISTERED NURSES
A. Bachelor’s Degree Salary Schedule Placement:
Registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree shall be placed appropriately on column 1 of the salary schedule.
B. Type 73 Certificate Salary Schedule Placement:
Registered nurses with a Bachelor’s degree will be moved to Column 5/Master’s Degree upon earning the ISBE Type 73 certificate. No other incremental steps will be made until the Type 73 Certificate is earned.
C. Master’s Degree Salary Schedule Placement:
Nurses with the ISBE Type 73 Certificate may move beyond the Column 5/Master’s Degree only after earning a Master’s Degree.
D. Re-Employment Procedure:
Nurses shall be notified of the Board’s intent to rehire them for the forthcoming year on the same dates teachers are notified.
E. Health Services Coordinator:
Health Services shall have a certified nurse as a health services coordinator. Duties shall include scheduling traveling nurses and the overseeing of non-certified RNs, LPNs, and health technicians.
F. Professional Educator License School Nurse Stipend
PELCSN shall be eligible for an annual stipend of 10% of step 1/column 1 for having earned the NCSN certification awarded through the National Board of Certified School Nurses. PELCSN must provide new verification every five years in order to maintain the stipend.
11.29 DRIVER EDUCATION – HOME INSTRUCTION – EVENING SCHOOL INSTRUCTORS – CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
A. Compensation:
Compensation for driver education instructors and curriculum work shall be paid based on that school year’s salary schedule the Step 1/Column 1 hourly rate. Teachers employed for home instructors shall be paid at a rate established annually by the Board. Teachers employed for evening school instruction shall be paid at a rate established annually by the Board. Some evening instruction persons hired to teach need not be certified, but must be qualified to instruct in the subject area for which they are employed.
B. Driver Education Instructor Assignments:
1. In consultation with Driver’s Education department chairs, the District 186 Supervisor of Driver’s Education will assign BTW instruction to employees using a district-wide BTW seniority list based upon actual District BTW instructional experience.
2. For employees without District BTW experience who wish to be placed on the seniority list, their placement will be determined by date of their application to the District 186 Supervisor.
3. Private school assignments will be made on the same basis as in-District work and specific department chairs will be designated for administering assignments to specific non-District sites.
4. BTW instructional assignments which occur in the summer will be made on the same basis as assignments made during the school term.
5. BTW instructional assignments may be offered to non-bargaining unit employees only in cases when no District employee is available for work, and non-employees are not eligible to be placed on the District BTW seniority list.
6. A copy of the District-wide seniority list shall be made available to department chairs on an annual basis and shall be updated as necessary when additions or deletions occur.
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11.30 PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS
A. Assigned Day:
The psychologists’ and social workers’ regularly assigned day shall be that generally required of all teachers. As with classroom teachers and other regularly assigned certified personnel this is not to be interpreted so as to interfere with or relieve the psychologists and the social workers of the responsibility for service as required to serve students, parents, and colleagues appropriately and professionally.
B. Extended Contracts and Salary Schedule Placement:
All social workers shall work 7 working days and all psychologists shall work 7 working days in addition to the regular school year. Salary for the additional days shall be calculated on a per diem basis. Psychologists and Social Workers shall be advanced to the Master’s + 32 on the salary schedule to compensate for the intern program that is required of them.
C. Summer Work:
Psychologists and Social Workers whose time is needed in the summer months shall be assigned on a rotating and equitable basis, including interested staff members established annually with the Director of Special Education Services. This in no way commits the Psychologists/Social Workers to a case; however, the option remains with the Psychologists/Social Workers. If all refuse, the Administration may assign a case. Payment for such services shall be $150.00 per case or equitable flex-time to be mutually agreed upon by administration and employee. An employee eligible for such compensation may choose to have a maximum of three trade days awarded in the next regular school term at a time mutually agreeable to the administration and the employee. Psychologists/Social Workers will be compensated at this established rate in the event of three missed appointments by parents/guardians. Compensation for said cases requires documentation of scheduled appointments. Child Find staff members will be prioritized for non-enrolled pre-kindergarten cases.
D. Psychologists’ Stipend:
Psychologists shall be eligible for an annual stipend of 10% of step 1/column 1 for having earned the NCSP certification awarded through the National Association of School Psychologists or LCPC awarded through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (not both). Psychologists must provide new verification every three years in order to maintain the stipend.
E. Social Workers Stipend
Social workers shall be eligible for an annual stipend of 10% of step 1/column 1 for having earned the LCSW certification awarded through the National Association of School Psychologists. Social workers must provide new verification every three years in order to maintain the stipend.
11.31 HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT CHAIRS/TEAM LEADERS
Stipends of $1,600 per school year shall be paid to seven department chairs/team leaders in each middle school and eight department chairs in each high school. Lincoln Magnet School may have up to four department chairs. The teachers and administrative staff shall jointly decide on the departments represented by each department chair. Department chair duties may include but are not limited to: participation in 80% of the district department meeting, act as an instructional leader communicating information to department members from the district department meetings, review content area data at least twice a year and facilitate the data review with the department. The high school department chair period will be used to complete department duties.
11.32 MEDICAID DUTIES
If federal funding continues, speech and language pathologists and physical and occupational therapists and assistants shall receive a minimum of three hours per month compensation per diem for Medicaid documentation work completed outside the contractual day when work is completed and verified.
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11.33 ELEMENTARY SPECIAL EDUCATION CASE MANAGERS
Elementary special education case managers shall work 7 working days per school year in addition to the regular school year. Salary for the additional days shall be on a per diem basis. The District agrees to reduce the duties of the elementary special education case managers by providing additional staff. The additional staff will assume the extra duties assigned to case managers in addition to their caseload.
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11.34 HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CHAIRS
High school and middle school special education department chairs shall work 7 working days in addition to the regular school year. Salary for the additional days shall be on a per diem basis.
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11.35 SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS
A. The SEA and District 186 shall form a committee of seven members; three appointed by the Association and three appointed by the District, and chaired by the Director of Special Education Services. The committee shall consider issues such as Speech and Language Pathologist caseload, recruitment of speech and language pathologists and recommendations or citations from governmental entities such as the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, and Illinois State Board of Education, etc. The committee shall meet at the mutual agreement of both parties.
B. Summer Work:
Speech and language pathologists whose time is needed in the summer months shall be assigned on a rotating and equitable basis, including interested staff members established annually with the Director of Special Education Services. This in no way commits the speech and language pathologists to a case; however, the option remains with the Speech and language pathologists. If all refuse, the Administration may assign a case. Payment for such services shall be $150.00 per case or equitable flex-time to be mutually agreed upon by administration and employee. An employee eligible for such compensation may choose to have a maximum of three trade days awarded in the next regular school term at a time mutually agreeable to the administration and the employee. Speech and language pathologists will be compensated at this established rate in the event of three missed appointments by parents/guardians. Compensation for said cases requires documentation of scheduled appointments. Child Find staff members will be prioritized for non-enrolled pre-kindergarten cases.
C. Stipend for Supervision:
Speech and language pathologists who supervise speech and language paraprofessionals shall receive an overload stipend of 8% of Step 1/Column 1 added to their contractual salary.
D. Stipend for Certificate of Clinical Competence:
Speech and language pathologists shall be eligible for an annual stipend of 10% of step 1/column 1 for having earned the Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech Hearing Association. SLPs must provide new verification every three years in order to maintain the stipend.
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11.36 READING TEACHERS
A. All Title I teachers, Reading Recovery and non-Title I District reading teachers will be placed on the District seniority list.
B. Due to Title I funding and regulations, an employee shall not recall a Title position, which the individual school Title budget cannot afford. The district will provide union leadership documentation of the individual school title budget as well as each individual teacher salary and benefit cost.
C. In regards to building allotment, if a school decides to reduce the number of Title I positions in their building, the school shall follow the guidelines stated in contract language 17.3.
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11.37 TEACHER INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS
A. Teacher instructional leaders shall be responsible for curriculum responsibilities as may be required by the District and determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
B. A teacher instructional leader shall have released time of at least one period per day and may be assigned up to full-time released time, dependent upon the nature of the assignment as determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
C. These positions shall be posted for a minimum of seven working days and interviews will be held prior to the filling of these positions.
D. Teacher instructional leaders shall be evaluated on an annual basis by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
E. Teacher instructional leaders shall be paid an annual stipend of 8% of the SEA-#186 base salary in addition to the regular teaching salary.
F. Instructional TIL’s may be paid per diem for any work completed in addition to the current 182 days. The additional days may be used for delivery of professional development and must be approved by the superintendent
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11.38 STUDENT SUPPORT LEADERS
In the event that a Student Support Leader is absent and cannot deliver required classroom curriculum, the District shall provide a substitute.
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11.39 VOCAL/INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TEACHERS
The following criteria specifies the maximum expectations of each position. Performances shall mean non-school time performances during the school year.
A. Vocal Music (1-5):
1. One major performance per building. (A major performance is defined as one that includes choreography, pageantry, props, scenery and/or speaking roles, or a performance that is defined as one that is mutually agreed upon by the teacher and the principal.)
2. One minor performance per building can be requested by the building principal. (A minor performance is defined as one that is less than school wide and less elaborate than a major performance; it is usually a sing along.)
3. When a teacher is assigned two schools, seasonal music performances will be scheduled by conferring with the two building principals and teacher. These two major musical events will not be scheduled in the same season.
4. Iles Magnet School shall be permitted to offer band and to have a select choir for students in grades 3-5. Formation of these groups may be based on student interest, availability, and talent. Rehearsals held before and after school or during lunch shall not be considered part of the teacher’s teaching load as defined in Article 10.3 and shall be reimbursed through a stipend.
B. Middle School Vocal Music (Choir):
1. Two performances per building.
2 .District 186 Solo & Ensemble Contest participation and student preparation. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
3. Illinois Music Educators Association District Festival participation – includes Audition Day, Festival Day (bus chaperone) and student preparation. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
4. All City Music Festival – includes preparation of students and Concert attendance. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
5. Selection of music and preparation on non-school time.
C. Middle School Show Choir:
1. 4 hours per month minimum rehearsal for 28 weeks on non-school time.
2. A minimum of three performances on non-school time.
3. All responsibilities related to organizing and operating the Show Choir.
4. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
D. Middle School Band (Instrumental Music):
1. Two performances per building.
2. Two sporting event performances (suggest 1 boys and 1 girls).
3. One Honors Night Performance. (May be called Recognition Night, etc.).
4. District Solo & Ensemble Contest participation and student preparation. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
5. Illinois Music Educators Association District Festival participation: Audition Day, Festival Day, and preparation of students on non-school time and on lunch and preparation time. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
6. All City Music Festival Concert and preparation of students. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
7. Trips to the local music stores for music selection and/or instrument repair shall occur on non-school time unless agreed to in advance by the building principal.
E. Middle School Jazz Band:
1. 1-1/2 hour weekly rehearsal for 25 weeks on non-school time.
2. One performance on non-school time if instrumentation allows.
3. All responsibilities related to organizing and operating the Jazz Band.
4. Preparing student for participation in IMEA Jazz Festival.
5. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
F. High School Vocal Music (Choir):
1. In school/day performances shall be limited to seven full school days.
2. Two formal concerts.
3. Central State 8 Solo and Ensemble Contest participation and student preparation. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
4. IMEA District Festival participation (if warranted) by student interest and ability. Includes audition, festival day, and student preparation.
5. IMEA All State Organization participation (if warranted) by student interest and ability. Includes student preparation, and three full days as chaperone for State Conference.
6. All City Music Festival participation and student preparation. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
G. High School Vocal Music (Mixed Ensemble/Swing Choir):
1. In school day performances limited to seven full school days.
2. Performances scheduled outside the school day shall be limited to 40.
3. Responsibilities for IMEA and State Festivals, Solo and Ensemble Contest, All City Music Festival, as listed in High School Choir.
4. The formulation of these performance groups shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
H. High School Band:
1. Band performances will be limited to 25 per school year. These performances include All-City Music Festival or student clinics, parades, sporting events, and formal concerts.
2. Performances of any kind shall not be required on official school holidays, breaks, or extended weekends, excluding high school graduation.
3. Additional responsibilities included are Band Booster meetings, IMEA District Festival Auditions, IMEA District Festival, IMEA All-State Conference (chaperoning students), Central State 8 Solo/Ensemble Contest (preparation of students and at contest), uniform issue and records on non-school time. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
4. Trips to the local music stores for music selection and/or instrument repair shall occur on non-school time unless agreed to in advance by the building principal.
5. Every effort will be made to provide adequate space and travel money for practice, if necessary, in order to perform marching shows.
I. High School Jazz Band:
1. 1-1/2 hour weekly rehearsal for 25 weeks on non-school time.
2. Five performances if instrumentation allows on non-school time.
3. All responsibilities related to organizing and operating the Jazz Band.
4. Preparing students for participation in IMEA Jazz Festival.
5. The formulation of this performance group shall be based on student interest, availability, and talent.
J. Travel:
1. When a teacher is assigned to more than two buildings, major seasonal music performances shall be scheduled only at the teacher’s major building.
2. All performances for a building shall be the responsibility of the teacher with the greatest number of sections in that building.
3. When a building is assigned three or more music teachers, a meeting will be convened with those music teachers and their principal(s) to decide the scheduling of major and/or minor performances.
K. Review:
A committee shall be established to review the guidelines above. The committee shall meet at the request of either party. This committee shall be composed of three music teachers representing each level -one elementary, one middle school, and one high school – appointed by the SEA, and three administrators appointed by the Superintendent.
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11.40 MENTORS
The following criteria specifies the maximum expectations of each position. Performances shall mean non-school time performances during the school year.
A. The Association and the Board agree to an incremental increase in the number of fully released mentors to support classroom teachers who are attempting to achieve an effective level of teaching performance necessary for the attainment of contractual continued service in the District. To that end, the Board shall add three additional fully released mentors. The goal of such increase is to eventually achieve a mentor-teacher ratio of one to twenty.
B. Requirements for additional mentor employment beyond current staffing levels shall be jointly developed by the Association and Board committee. Such requirements shall include but not be limited to term limits, displacement rights, and requisite standards of performance necessary for candidate consideration.
C. Full time mentors shall be employed for five work days per school year for involvement in the pre-service workshop in addition to the regular school year. Salary for the additional days shall be on a per diem basis. An ability to flex the regular work day shall be allowed for full time mentors to attend duties which occur beyond the contractual day.
D. Dependent upon grant support:
1. Until such time that the intended ratio of mentor to teacher is achieved, the current stipend ($500 annual), training, and deployment of in-building mentor support shall be retained.
2. All full-time mentors shall continue to be provided the annual twelve days of mentor training currently secured through the existing partnership with the Consortium for Educational Change (CEC).
E. All induction and mentoring group activities which are planned and facilitated by the mentors shall be mandatory for all first and second year teachers new to the district. Such activity may include up to eight monthly meetings limited to one and a half hours each which occur beyond the contractual day or week. Such time shall be compensated at the appropriate Step 1/Column 1 hourly rate for teachers who attend these events.
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11.41 USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Teachers and other professional staff are prohibited from using their personal cell phone, pagers, and any other electronic devices during student contact time for personal use. All such components shall be turned to silent/vibrate during student contact time. Teachers may use their personal cell phone, pagers, and any other electronic devices before school, lunch time, planning time and after school. Communication equipment may be used during emergency situations.