Article 28
Dear Members,
I am writing in response to the pressure of requests to take summer trainings in June or early August.
You have the answer to all of this pressure. It is called the Master Agreement. There is contractual language which supports you and gives you the authority to make the choices you want to make concerning your time and your time off.
Article 28-Length of Contract Year/School Calendar
Article 28.1 The contract year for teachers who have been employed by the District for one or more years shall be 182 days.
There it is folks. Your contractual obligation with the district for the school year of 2005-2006 began on August 22, 2005 and ends this coming June 2, 2006. For the coming school year, it begins August 21, 2006 and ends June 1, 2007, unless you are on an extended contract.
The time between those dates is yours. All PST’s, classes, trainings are VOLUNTARY! Do not feel pressured, intimidated, or guilty. The dreaded maxim of “It’s for the good of the kids.” will be heard and used. To that, please remember, that ‘what is good for the teacher IS good for the kids.’ You have been working all year long for the kids. All of you deserve and need this time to rejuvenate and breathe and enjoy: enjoy your time, your families, and your summer plans. The Master Agreement gives you the authority to do so. The agreement is between the district and the teachers…it empowers you to say No!
Jerri Modrall
President, SVVEA
303-772-3666