March 6 FR Council Questions & Answers

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Bin Questions from the March 6, 2008

FR Council 

  1. When a unit is cut for next year, how is it determined which teacher will be cut? Seniority at a site or years in the county? This is based on continuous Pinellas experience.
  2. Is there a plan to recycle the referendum signs? Referendum signs can be turned in to the PCTA office until Friday, April 19, 2008.
  3. We are being asked to meet three (3) times at week during our planning time to collaborate, observe, co-teach, and various other sundries next year (Restructuring). Is this legal?
  4. Remind me why we only have two trade days next year. The shortened days were eliminated and schools needed tie for training and decision making.
  5. Is 6 out of 7 a done deal in middle and high school? No. This has to go through the bargaining process and no conversations about this have taken place at the bargaining table. Furthermore, the school board was presented with this information for the first time on March 4th.
  6. Now that Choice has ended, can schools vote to change or end attractors?  The PCTA contract requires school staff/faculty to evaluate innovative programs and decide if the programs are successful.
  7. Does each school vote on 8 period day individually? Yes. Each school can vote to adopt an innovative program. Per the contract the vote must pass by at least 75% .
  8. The purpose of the class size amendment was to reduce teacher load. If we move to seven periods, the load is heavy again. What is being done about this? We are not moving to a seven period day.
  9. Why did we move to six (6) periods to save money and now they want to move to seven (7) periods to save money? This is an issue that most go through the bargaining process. At this point, teaching six (6) out of seven (7) has not been bargained.
  10. A principal commented that Jade Moore is all for seven (7) periods. Does that mean our pay raise is huge? Jade Moore said no such thing.
  11. How much weight will parent input have on the teacher appraisal form? This has been a process used by the district for many years. The forms can be used to give input on any school board employee. Your administrators evaluate you, not the parents.
  12. When will the report by the middle and high school reorganization committee be made public? Who was on that committee?  As soon as they have a recommendation. The names of the committee members can be acquired from Kim Black.
  13. What is the status if the “new” exam/attendance policy for high schools (the policy changed this year: Students can miss more than 10 days in a semester and DON”T need to pass the final exam)?  We are collecting data and will address this issue very soon. 
  14. Please explain the IBC 430b Model Plan mentioned in the FEA governance report.  Are current TSA clients affected or does this just apply to monies contributed when we enter DROP? Please read this month’s ACTION for details about the IBC plan.
  15. Will the association protect the DROP program? How? We are not affected by the current law changes. Only people who take 30 days off and start working again are being looked at by the legislature.
  16. When will the middle and high school schedules be published? This information will be published soon.
  17. Why is start time still a question? When will this be decided? We are waiting on the new zoning and transportation plans to be released. This information will be released very soon.
  18. How will Dr. Wilcox speak to the press about teach absences and its effect on classrooms being impacted (possibly) and not having early release days next year which forces middle and high school teachers to take sick days to go to doctor, dentist appt., etc.? We can’t control him. He has said that he will allow principals maximum flexibility for teachers to get to doctor’s appointments and use sick time.