May, 2007 Newsletter
May 7, 2007 11:22 AM
Dear Colleague:
The following are updates, for your information:
Clustering and the Clustering Arbitration
Elections of DACs and the posting of CSE positions will begin on May 8, 2007. This year the activity will conclude on May 29th with the posting of open clusters on the Open Market. With the exception of allowing a representative from the Empowerment Schools to sit on the DAC, there have been no changes to the process as it was written for the Spring 2006 cluster activity. The next arbitration date is May 29, 2007. Once a decision is rendered, we will need to consider the ramifications for our members. Until then, members are encouraged to retain their clusters. This does not preclude your ability to apply for vacancies on the Open Market, but it will ensure your position within your District. SBST/CSE members without retention rights will report to the CSE in August, 2007, if they have not been able to secure on Open Market position. This may be the case for people rotating out of the CSE who are not rehired.
Excessing
Excessing occurs when there are more people than positions. If your job continues to exist, a principal cannot excess you and hire someone else in your place.
Related Service Providers who are in excess should continue to report to your school and you will function as a substitute until either 1. You find a position on the Open Market, or 2. The District finds you a position first within the District, if one is available, and if not, then within the Region, as long as the Regions continue to exist. I will update you as soon as possible on the impact of the restructuring on this issue. You can no longer be referred to a city-wide position, except in the case of D75 RSPs, because that is a city-wide administered program.
If you believe that you are being improperly excessed, you should contact your Borough Leader to discuss your grievance options. The names and phone numbers of your Borough Leaders are posted on our Chapter’s website.
A “no lay off” clause remains in effect through the end of 2009.
Rating
Article 9 of our contract indicates that there must be a joint rating, principal and clinical supervisor, for social workers and psychologists. Some principals are abusing this provision. Contact your Borough Leader if this is happening to you.
Restructuring
CSEs will not be affected by the new restructuring. All CSEs will remain exactly as they are, with the same administrators, in the same locations, with the same number of teams.
Summer positions for LYFE Social Workers and Summer School positions for Social Workers.
The DOE has not posted these positions. We have contacted them about this omission.
Fraternally,
Ann Englesbe
