The meeting was called to discuss extending the elementary school day. As an information session, the meeting was called to discuss the ramifications of extending the elementary school day.
Jerry Canada called the meeting because he wanted to give the issue a fair hearing. He especially wanted to hear from the staff and principals and have a discussion before the budget season "got away from us" in case there any compensation issues.
Drew Barrineau wanted to discuss modified blocks in middle school. He heard from all of his principals in his area.
Mike Stovall say that there are a lot of unanswered questions. He wants to know if the board should act on it, leave it alone, or fight for it.
David Wymer lead the discussion by turning it over to Dr. Lange.
She walked the board through the basic schedule for each level.
Background:
Elementary : 7 hour contract 6 hour 10 minutes instruction
Option #1: Extend the elementary/middle school contract to 7 hours 20 minutes.
Option #2 : Extend Elementary and Secondary schedule within the day by utilizing the end of the day planning time.
Option #3: Keep the schedule as it is and study further.
Change of policy...not contract.
Rebecca Eastwood gave an insight into elementary schedules. She talked about parallel blocks, floating schedules, and traditional schedules as well as the new encore schedule.
She's hearing that the elementary principals want more instructional time.
Jerry Canada asked if teachers aren't receiving a 45 minute "break." Dr. Lange replied that all teachers receive a 45 minute planning time...which is not the same as a break.
Principals spoke: Herman L Horne: Susan Brown spoke. Transition time is an issue. There is none currently built into the schedule. She said that the vote at her school was about 50/50 with 3-5 and special education teachers in favor of altering the schedule. Mike Stovall asked what students do at 7:30. It was explained that breakfast is a big player in the students' time. Ms. Brown suggested that the day run from 7:50 to 2:20.
Drew Barrineau questioned about the 50/50. Did the people who were opposed to it come up with alternative solutions?
Jerry Canada does NOT want to add more without compensating teachers.
Other principals: Mason's Cove voted 50/50.
Dr. Lange and Mr. Barrineau compared the extended elementary day to a middle school teacher teaching an extra class. She replied that elementary school teachers spend less time with children.
Fuzzy Minnix asked how the time would be spent if added. Dr. Lange replied that each principal makes their own schedule. She suggested that Math would most likely be an important focus.
Mike Stovall asked why teachers should be compensated extra for extending the day within their contract day.
David Wymer asked what goes on in the 7:30-7:55 time. Apparently schools don't do things the same. Many schools engage the students from the moment they come in.
Leigh Porter of Mountain View suggested that many teacher wanted to extend the day. She went on to discuss some creative scheduling opportunities.
Jodi Poff shared that the staff has discussed the issue. The majority seems to be in favor of extending the day. She did not take a vote. She shared that the instructional day starts from the moment the children walk in the door.
Amy Shank said that Burlington was overwhelmingly in favor of extending.
Drew Barrineau then shifted the discussion onto how the extended time would be used.
Math was the number one choice on an area to bolster.
David Wymer asked the same question. He noted that there really is no transition time built into the basic schedule. By having Encore time this year, the pressure on the afternoon planning time has been relieved.
Fuzzy Minnix asked about the support personnel and how it would affect their contracts.
Mike Stovall suggested that he would feel uncomfortable making decisions without giving the teaching staff the opportunity to have input. (Teachers and RCEA)
Jerry Canada feels like the idea of extending the contract without additional compensation doesn't make sense. How much more can we expect our teachers and support staff to extend the contractual day without compensation especially since they haven't receive any additional compensation for three years.
Dr. Lange said that elementary principals would be happy to go back to their staffs to discuss the extension of the day with compensation. (Survey Monkey)
Mary Wagner from Cave Spring Elementary spoke passionately about our needs in elementary. She believes that we are doing well already. Why are we rushing them from place to place? When do we actually have time to get to know them?
Jan Nichols at Glen Cove spoke to the problem with transitions and the lack of time between classes.
Drew Barrineau tried to boil it down to two issues. He questioned whether any further polling is necessary. Do we want to extend the day? Yes or No. If yes, then are we going to compensate them?
Jerry Canada spoke passionately in reply to Mary Wagner's words.
Moving on to Middle School
This live blogger is more in tune with elementary so please forgive him for playing a bit of catch up with the secondary issues.
Each principal spoke in favor of extending the day but only if the teachers are compensated for the additional time. One of their main concerns is that whichever plan is adopted, five minute transition time must be preserved.
******************************************************
David Wymer wants this item to be kept on the information agenda for Thursday night.
Jerry Canada wanted to know what fair compensation would be for teachers if the day is extended. Dr. Lange thought that perhaps 2%.
David Wymer wants to act on this item at the school board meeting. The discussion clarified that this extension is not a budget issue.
Drew mentioned that this would NOT be a RAISE. It's a contract adjustment for certain people.
Survey Monkey was ditched... in favor of a an update on Penny Hodge's Budget Blog concerning what the board will be voting on Thursday night.
Boiled down: Look at policy 3.17 and will add on a report that teachers will be compensated for additional time.
- Elementary Impact: Extend the student day 20 minutes (7:50 to 2:15). Extend the teacher contract time by 20 minutes and compensate the teachers for the extra time.
- Middle/High School Impact: Extend the day by 10 minutes and extend the teacher contract time by 10 minutes with compensation.
No comments:
Post a Comment