Know your rights

Instructional materials

Sep 12, 2008 3:23 PM

Teachers routinely dip into their own pockets to buy the many extras that make learning more exciting for students. On average, teachers spend about $500 a year, according to recent surveys. With $400 million in school budget cuts this fall, principals will be cutting back spending in many areas. Nonetheless, teachers still have a contractual right to basic instructional supplies.

While teachers are the only professionals to routinely spend their own money to assist those they serve, this fact doesn’t excuse the Department of Education from its basic supply responsibility.

Books and supplies

It is your principal’s obligation to provide you with basic instructional supplies and books, including textbooks, paper, chalk, microscopes and math manipulatives. That’s a contractual right, written into Article 7R of the UFT teachers contract, which states that schools are responsible for providing “appropriate and sufficient basic instructional supplies and books to deliver an effective educational program” for students.

If you find yourself short of basic supplies, let your chapter leader know. The chapter leader will schedule a special meeting with the principal to try to resolve the issue. At the same time, your chapter leader should notify your district representative to see if he or she can help resolve the matter. If necessary, the union will help you file a grievance.

Teacher’s Choice

As a result of a UFT initiative begun 23 years ago, the City Council allocates money in the budget process each year for teachers and other educators to spend on supplementary instructional materials and supplies for classroom use. The Teacher’s Choice program is built on the premise that educators are in the best position to decide what supplies they need to educate their students.

As a consequence of a worsening budget situation, virtually all City Council program priorities were cut in the final city budget, yet the UFT managed to salvage Teacher’s Choice funds.

The Teacher’s Choice allocations this year range from $150 for teachers to $50 for school secretaries [see box].

Teacher’s Choice provides eligible members with a stipend to purchase items of their own choice that schools are not obliged to provide. The allocation is issued in December before the winter break.

It’s important to remember that you have the right to decide for yourself — without pressure or interference from your principal or supervisor — how to spend your Teacher’s Choice allotment, as long as your purchases are for appropriate educational materials for use in a classroom or other professional assignment. You also should not be asked to use Teacher’s Choice to pay for basic supplies, which are your school’s responsibility to provide.

You may shop at the store of your choice or online. You also may pool your Teacher’s Choice money with colleagues to buy costlier items. If you plan to buy computer-related materials to be used on your own personal computer, you will need your principal’s prior approval in writing.

If you have any questions about the procedures that you must follow, ask your chapter leader.

The purchase period for instructional material runs from Aug. 1, 2009 until March 15, 2010. Be sure to keep all dated receipts for valid purchases you make during that time. You will need to submit them by March 23. You should save copies of all the receipts and paperwork that you submit to your principal.