PCTA ACTION - March 1, 2010
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VOLUME XXXVI Number 8 727-585-6518 March 1, 2010
AND WE’RE OFF!
The Legislative Session begins today, March 1st and runs through the end of April. “While this legislative session is shaping up to be the most challenging in recent memory, we cannot let the legislature off the hook when it comes to funding public education and providing our students with high quality teachers and the programs they deserve,” stated PCTA President Kim Black. The revenue estimates are dire, and few legislators seem eager to authorize any new revenue sources (taxes and fees) that schools need.
PCTA-PESPA will have member lobbyists from our Government Relations Committee in Tallahassee every week until Sine Die, working hand in hand with FEA and District lobbyists to ensure fair treatment for Pinellas students and employees.
Want more info? If we have your personal e-mail, PCTA will be forwarding to members weekly updates throughout the entire legislative session or you can go to http://feaweb.org. Also register for Pump Up the Volume to voice your concern on critical issues. When the call to action comes, go to http://feaweb.org/take-action-putv-sign-up to send legislators the message to Make Our Schools a Priority!
PCTA ELECTIONS MARCH 17
Elections for PCTA officers, board members, and NEA/AFT delegates will be held at each school/site Wednesday, March 17. This all-important election will decide the future leadership of PCTA, so be sure to vote. (Of course, only PCTA members are eligible to vote.) For schools that do not have a PESPA Rep, we ask that you assist in our PESPA elections as well. All members deserve the opportunity to vote. Faculty Reps will receive election materials in the pony the week of March 8th.
ANNUAL CONTRACT STATUS AND NON-RENEWAL
Florida law states that annual contract employees are entitled to employment for the term of their contract and that the district may choose not to offer additional contracts without cause. Each new Florida teacher must serve three and sometimes four years on an annual contract. At the end of the contract, the teacher may be recommended for an additional annual contract or for a Professional Services Contract (PSC) if they have been on an annual contract for three or four years. The Superintendent has instructed principals to ensure that teachers are meeting all expectations before recommending a PSC. If your administrator is considering not recommending you for a PCS or an additional annual contract, you should have been notified in writing. That notice is not a final notice. Over the next few months you have an opportunity to demonstrate how you are meeting expectations. You will receive another observation with feedback and your annual evaluation will be completed. Your administrator can change the non-renew status up to June 1st. The Office of Professional Standards monitors the recommendation and documentation, but it is the building administrator who determines whether or not a contract will be offered.
Members of PCTA who received notice of possible non-renewal should call our office for advice on how to approach the situation for the best possible outcome.
2010-11 CALENDAR SET
It has come to our attention through our PCTA Faculty Reps that you may not have seen next year’s calendar. The 2010-11 school calendar was finalized at the January 26th School Board meeting. The calendar was a result of meetings of stakeholders participating in the Calendar Committee meetings and some last minute discussions between PCTA and the district on several issues relating to trade days and the number of preschool days. PCTA was able to protect three trade-days and six days of preschool for 10-month teachers. A copy of the calendar is also located on our website – www.pcta-pespa.org.
2010-11
Student/Staff Calendar
Pinellas County Schools
Thursday, August 5...................................Four day work week ends
Monday, August 16 - Monday,August 23......Professiona Development Days for staff
Tuesday, August 17..................................Site based Training Day
Friday, August 20......................................District-wide Staff Development Day
Tuesday, August 24...................................All schools open
Monday September 6.................................Labor Day Holiday/Schools closed for students and teachers
Friday, October 15.....................................Professional Development days/state conferences/Schools closed for Students
Monday, November 22...............................District-wide Instructional Staff Training day (199 day staff) - Trade Day
Tuesday, November 23..............................Professional Development Day for 235 day staff
Wednesday, November 24 - 26...................Thanksgiving Holidays/Schools closed for staff and students
Monday, December 20 - 31........................Winter Holidays/Schools closed for staff and students
Monday, January 3, 2011...........................School reopens
Monday, January 17...................................Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday/Schools closed for staff and students
Friday, January 21......................................Professional Development Day/Schools closed for students. End of First Semester
Monday January 24....................................Second Semester begins
Monday, February 14..................................Site based Training Day/School closed for students
Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1................Spring Holidays/Schools closed for students
Monday, April 4..........................................School reopens
Monday, April 25........................................District-wide instructional staff training day (199 day staff) - Trade Day
Monday, May 30.........................................Memorial Day weekend/Schools closed for staff and students
Wednesday, June 8.....................................Last day for students
Thursday, June 9.........................................Professional Development Day
Friday, June 10............................................Professional Development Day - Trade Day
Monday, June 13..........................................Four day work week begins
JDRF
You still have time to Walk for the Cure. Form your team now! The Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes will be held, Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Ft. DeSoto State Park. Consider having your entourage conduct simple email campaigns by sending requests for donations to their contact lists using JDRF's online tools. It's so easy to do at http://walk.jdrf.org. Join the PCSB/PCTA-PESPA team. Get ready to strut your stuff as JDRF just Peace, Love, and Hopes for the Cure! ?