A.
The Committee and
the Association are committed to provide individual and common planning time
for teachers, and therefore:
1.
As of September 1,
1994, a total of one hundred and fifty (150) minutes shall be provided for
elementary teachers for planning time - free of teaching responsibilities. Time
that teachers are relieved from their teaching responsibilities due to Art,
Music, Physical Education or swimming instruction shall be in addition to the
one hundred and fifty (150) minutes. One hundred and twenty (120) minutes per
week of said planning time shall be attached to the teacher's lunch period.
Thirty (30) additional minutes per week of said planning time shall be mutually
scheduled between the school's principal and the affected teacher. In the event
the planning time cannot be mutually scheduled, the issue shall be forwarded to
the Director of Elementary/Secondary Education for a final determination.
2. The
Association and the Committee agree that teachers and administrators in each
elementary school will work collaboratively throughout the school year to
problem solve issues and concerns in order to assure successful elementary
planning time. Building administrators are responsible for the administration
of planning time and will submit the plan for the building to the Director of
Elementary/Secondary Education and the President of the Portland Education
Association no later than the end of the second week of school. Each elementary
school will submit a proposal for providing 150 minutes of planning time,
excluding art, music, physical education and swimming, in blocks of not less
than one hour, and shall include the resources needed to implement it. These
proposals shall be submitted to the Living Contract Committee for review and
recommendation to the Superintendent. Alternatives when approved shall replace
Subsection 1 above.
3. During a two (2) week start up period,
newly assigned planning time aides will shadow classroom teachers as needed.
Full implementation scheduled planning time will begin by the end of the second
week of school. Teachers involved in shadowing will be mutually scheduled for
any missed planning time as soon as possible, but no later than the third
Friday in October of the school year.
4. The issue of planning period is understood by both parties to be a matter of educational policy and shall not be subject to the grievance procedure contained in this Agreement unless the grievance alleges that the immediate supervisor's and/or the Director of Elementary Education's decision was arbitrary and capricious, such as a reduction in the minutes as provided above.