Apr 10, 2007 11:14 AM
A. The Employer and the Union are committed to supporting the ongoing staff development of teachers and paraprofessionals.
Therefore, sixteen hours of paid staff development activities shall be made available to all teachers and paraprofessionals that work 6 hours or less per week. Eighteen hours shall be made available for those who work between 7-12 hours per week. Twenty hours shall be made available for those who work 13-18 hours per week. Part-time teachers shall also be paid at their regular rates for eight hours of administrative time each year for those who work 6 hours or less per week; twelve hours of same for those who work 7-12 hours per week; sixteen hours of same for those who work 13-18 hours per week.
The Employer shall inform all new hires that they are required to fulfill the full amount of staff development hours during the first year of employment. This required staff development offers the opportunity for newly hired employees to become acquainted with the CWE programs and principles of adult education.
B. UFT/CWE Staff Development Committee: The Employer and the Union recognize the importance of working collaboratively in order to: (1) identify the professional development needs of program teachers and paraprofessionals; (2) plan appropriate professional development activities to respond to those needs; (3) continually evaluate those activities so they can be improved and (4) guide the planning of relevant professional development opportunities in the future.
The UFT/CWE Staff Development Committee's purpose is to ensure professional development opportunities that are relevant and accessible for staff and provide high-quality educational services while ensuring professional growth. The Committee will consist of six members – a representative from the CWE Education Department and two union Education Directors selected by the Employer, and three representatives selected by the Union. The parties will encourage their designees (other than the CWE Education Department representative) to serve limited terms.
The UFT/CWE Staff Development Committee shall meet a minimum of three times a year, and employees will be paid for their participation.
C. The hours of paid staff development activities made available to instructors under this Article may be used as time spent preparing to teach a new or revised curriculum, class or lesson. Requests to receive the paid staff development time for this purpose must be made in advance and in writing to the Program Director for that instructor and such request must state the reason for the request and the estimated amount of preparation time. If approved, such requests will be paid on the actual hours worked. The decision to approve or disapprove any requests made under this Section lies solely within the Program Director's discretion and is not subject to challenge or to the grievance or arbitration processes set forth in this Agreement.
D. Within the existing contractual entitlements, and in accordance with the other provisions of this Article 15, the Employer agrees to provide the bargaining unit with $2,000.00 per year to be used for planning and coordination of Consortium-wide staff development events by UFT members of the Staff Development Committee. Requests for reimbursement of expenses up to the maximum of $2,000.00 shall be submitted via receipts to the CWE Director of Education.