BUILDING A BETTER PHILADELPHIA MEANS BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS

Transcription

1 BUILDING A BETTER PHILADELPHIA MEANS BUILDING BETTER SCHOOLS Philadelphia Federation of Teachers Proposals for the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the PFT and the School District of Philadelphia

2 INTRODUCTION The PFT and its members will continue to strive to render the best possible service to the students of Philadelphia. That effort requires smaller class sizes, a curriculum that gives students access to art, music and physical education, availability of after-school programs as well as to social workers, school psychologists, guidance counselors and nurses; access to professionally staffed libraries, and properly maintained facilities.

3 PRE- KINDERGARTEN/EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION The PSD must make every effort to enroll every 3 and 4 year old in its pre-kindergarten program that is a recognized model staffed by certificated staff. Class size (Article XVIII.G) Maximum class size shall be a. twenty (20) in kindergarten (currently 30); b. twenty-two (22) in grades 1-3. c. In all other regular classes, maximum class size shall be thirty-three (33) students.

4 CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENTS ARTICLE XVIII At least one (1) certified music teacher in every school; At least one (1) certified art teacher in every school A comprehensive Health & Physical Education Program taught by certified Health and P.E. Teachers available to all students Gifted Support Programs taught by tested and appointed Gifted Support Teachers at every elementary school Course programs and learning experiences that include career options and explorations, preparation for post graduate employment and advanced and continuing education.

5 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORTS School Nurses: Health room or suite must be located where confidentiality and privacy for students can be provided. It should provide: Health room should provide physical exam area, first aid, screening tests, case management, rest area for sick students, single occupancy toilet and hot and cold running water. Every health room shall have an air conditioner. There shall be a minimum of one (1) full-time nurse in every school

6 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORTS Librarians (Article XVIII.C.12): All schools shall have a Library staffed by a certified Librarian. The school is responsible for financially maintaining the Library by having a designated amount in its budget according to the size of the population of the school. Librarians shall not be scheduled into the prep schedule.

7 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORTS Counselors (Article XVIII.D.14 ) There shall be at least one (1) counselor in every school. Counselors shall not be rostered into the prep schedule. Case Load for counselors shall be: Elementary = 300 Middle School = 150 High School = 200 Psychologist (Article XVIII.F) Ratio of psychologist to student shall be 1/1000.

8 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORTS Physical & Occupational Therapists (Article XVIII.F) Therapists shall be eligible for critical area bonuses. Selection of caseload shall be by seniority. Required continuing education credits made available for Therapists during Professional Development days (both half- and full-days)

9 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT SUPPORTS Sign Language Interpreters (Article XVIII) The workday for Sign Language Interpreters shall be the same as the teacher day. Sign Language Interpreters shall have a duty free lunch. Sign Language Interpreters shall not be required to perform noninterpreting duties. Sign Language Interpreters shall not be required to interpret more than three (3) high content classes in a row without a break.

10 SCHOOL SAFETY Addition of a Behavior Specialist Program: Teachers who are specialists in behavior management will be available to respond to student referrals from classroom teachers. These specialists will consult with the teacher, review school records, observe the student and with the teacher, develop appropriate interventions. Teachers shall be allowed to have a student removed from class for one (1) day if they are excesseively unruly or disruptive to teaching and learning. All schools shall implement Restorative Practices to respond to challenging student behavior.

11 SCHOOL SAFETY Non-Teaching Assistants (NTAs) (Article XX) On-going professional development for NTAs to enhance their ability to manage student behavior. Adequate supervision of students requires that Non-Teaching Assistants will be assigned to schools as follows: 400 students or less: 1 NTA students: 3 NTAs 801 or more students: 6 NTAs

12 SALARIES, BENEFITS, WORKING CONDITIONS Budget for Supplies (Article XII.B.23, 24, 25): Increase annual budget for supplies (such as books, instructional aids, etc.) from $100 to $200. Applies to teachers, school nurses, and school psychologists. LIMAs shall receive a $100 supply allotment each year (Article XII.E.7 ). The Allotment Display Sheet shall contain $200 per kindergarten teacher for educational supplies, 10 cents per pupil for magazines and 30 cents per pupil for instructional aids. (Article XVIII.F.6)

13 SALARIES, BENEFITS, WORKING CONDITIONS Supportive Service Assistants (Article XXI) Regular daily schedule of an employee shall be no less than 4 hours during the school year. Except for reasons of unsatisfactory performance, employees moved to lower paid classifications shall retain their former rate until the rate for the new classification reaches his/her red-circled rate After reaching red circled rate, employees will be entitled to rate increases applicable to their new classification. An employee who is red-circled in his/her job classification shall be given the same pay raises as all other employees.

14 SALARIES, BENEFITS, WORKING CONDITIONS Inclement Weather (Article XII.B.10): PFT bargaining unit members shall not be required to report to work when schools are closed by administrative action. Professional/Technical (Article XII.H.15): Compensatory time (for eligible employees) shall be the same rate as overtime wages 1 hour for hour up to 40 hours per week, 1.5 hours for all hours beyond 40 hours per week. Benefits (Article XIII): Upon retirement, employees shall have the option of placing termination pay in a special account for paying the premiums of hospitalization and medical-surgical insurances through the District s group plans.

15 SALARIES, BENEFITS, WORKING CONDITIONS New Qualifications for Senior Career Teachers/Nurses (Article XII.C.2a,b,c): M.A. Degree plus 60 credits or Ph.D. 10 years of satisfactory teaching/nursing experience in the School District of Philadelphia Dual Certification as follows: (1) Two (2) subject areas, or (2) Elementary and Secondary, or (3) K-l2 Teaching or Nursing Certification, or (4) Regular and Special Education