Title: LA3 Approval of the Tentative Agreement Between PBCSD and CTA

Recommendation:
I recommend that the Board approve the Tentative Agreement between the Palm Beach County School District (PBCSD) and the Classroom Teachers Association (CTA), on a new three year successor contract, effective July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2008.  CTA ratified the Tentative Agreement March 14, 2006.

Description:

- grants eligible employees a negotiated step increase or a minimum 4% increase (whichever is greater), effective July 1, 2006;

- establishes a Differential Pay Pilot for implementation FY07 at designated high needs schools, stipulates the level of differential compensation and the incorporation of the Union sponsored ER&D in-service as part of the professional development program;

-restructures the Glades Supplement (Differential) by creating pay tiers that link district teaching experience to differential levels of supplemental pay, effective January 1, 2006;

-increase all levels of the Advanced Degree Supplement (Masters, Specialist, Doctorate), effective January 1, 2006;

-establishes the following new supplements; Elementary School Math/Science Fair Coordinator; Middle School Math/Science Fair Coordinator; High School Math/Science Fair Coordinator; Area Math/Science Fair Coordinator; Community Service Facilitator High School;

-increases Supplements Schedule 5%, effective July 1, 2006 and 4%, effective July 1, 2007;

-increases the remuneration for teachers who are assigned additional students in -lieu of a substitute;

-restructures the Voluntary Transfer Period and establishes new provision that permits an employee to request a transfer at any time during the period of January 1, through the fifth workday of May; also allows new hires to be considered from February 1, and thereafter for the following school year;

- eliminates an employee's entitlement to return to the same school/position where absence is a combination of paid and unpaid leave during any twelve month period;

- eliminates the exception that allowed a teacher to tutor his/her students in the areas of music, dance, art and/or drama, and establishes a uniform tutoring rate for District tutoring programs;

- requires that Lesson Plans contain a copy of the district's FCAT Test-taking Strategies Checklist;

- grants a school's Lead Faculty Representative protection from UAT transfer if more than one employee is in that subject area, and gives priority consideration for summer employment at home school;

- provides employees protection from criticism, upbraiding, insults, abusive language in the presence of other employees or students;

- modifies contract provisions regarding Daily Relief Time for Elementary Teachers to provide relief time each day (currently four days of each regular five day work week);

- modifies contract provisions regarding Secondary School scheduling to stipulate that following a second faculty vote on a modified schedule, said schedule will remain in effect until the end of the fourth year.  Any further extension will require a third and final vote.  The principal may propose changes to the schedule or a new schedule at any time;

-requires the Association to provide the District a List of Lead Faculty Representatives on or before October 15 of each school year;

- authorizes an Incentive Program for employees who are eligible to prepare Medicaid Billings for District reimbursement;

- establishes two Absenteeism Reduction Pilots for one year and authorizes Area Superintendents to designate six schools in each area for participation; and

- permits employees to apply for a Hardship Transfer subject to approval of the Area Superintendent.

Financial Impact:
The funds are being reallocated within the budget line item.

For Additional Information, contact:

Joseph M. Moore (Moorej@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

James Hayes, Jr. (Hayesja@palmbeach.k12.fl.us)

Van V. Ludy, (Ludy@palmbeach.k12.fl.us) 

Attachments (list):
CTA Tentative Agreement.pdf