Teacher Organizations Meeting
12/10/07

Notes from September Meeting
Dianne asked that that under Equity in the last meeting notes, that need more be changed to Involve more African American teachers in recruiting for the district.
Dianne stated that Neil has said the number of African American teachers being hired had improved but that she had not seen an improvement. Neil reviewed the numbers with her and she agreed it is better this year.

Declining Diversity of Staff
The district needs more than job fairs at university campuses and our district job fairs to improve the diversity of our staff
PAR teachers and TOYS should try to come up with creative ways to address this issue.
Neil stated the district is represented at the job fairs at universities, we bring graduates to our job fairs, and we bring teachers to the fairs. What can we do to make our district more attractive to potential candidates?
Dianne asked about a brochure on diversity
Neil stated diversity is higher at the high schools and little lower at the elementary schools
Dianne stated that most people graduating from universities don’t want to go back home to work but that they want to work in other towns
Dianne stated our district is hard to sell because it is so expensive to live in Chapel Hill and there are not many activities
Neil stated that fewer African Americans are attending Schools of Education
Dianne suggested encouraging more TAs to get a degree. There is a large pool of African American TAs.

Staff Development for TAs
Sam Oertwig is checking with principals to find out what training TAs need. Denise will follow through on this.
Neil stated there should be staff development opportunities for TAs during delayed opening

Raising Lunch Prices
Neil stated that Sodexho has a 5 year renewable contract that can be renewed each year
There were three companies that could bid for the Child Nutrition contract. Sodexho had the best proposal.
Raising prices is not the whole solution
Dianne asked Neil which schools are doing better (financially) than other schools and why. Neil will check on this.

Kudos to the New Classified Council
Thanks to Steve for getting classified staff represented again

Autistic Children in a Regular Classroom
Adding Autistic children to a regular classroom that is at capacity is not a good idea
There is very little training for these teachers
Neil asked what is meant by at capacity 21 or 24. Are the Autistic children in the classroom full-time?
Debbie stated there is a safety issue. TAs don't go with these students to the regular classrooms on a regular basis.
Dianne stated no notice is sent to non-classroom teachers regarding what needs the student has. She asked that a form be sent to these teachers with the students needs listed at the beginning of the school year.
Neil stated that Ephesus and Rashkis have completed some training this year for teachers
Diane stated that the teacher still needs someone else in the classroom to assist

CEU Credits
Debbie stated that presenters do not get CEU credit for presenting at workshops
Neil stated it depends on the situation. Some teachers are paid a stipend.
Neil asked Debbie to get some examples of who is not getting paid or not getting CEU credits
Neil will check with Sam about teachers getting CEU credit for presenting at a workshop

Personal Leave without Deduction
Debbie asked about support for SB742 or HB906 Personal Leave without Deduction for teachers
Neil stated that TAs can take 2 days of annual leave during the school year with the principals permission. He would like to see the same thing for teachers. He asked Dianne and Debbie to talk about this with their organizations.
Neil stated it is State policy to deduct $50 from teacher's pay. This money goes into the substitute budget line
It was asked why teachers have to take a half day of leave if they only need 1 or 2 hours of leave for a doctors appointment. Neil will check on this.

Alternatives and Interventions for Young Students
Debbie stated we need alternative learning for visual learners; especially those not ready to read.
Neil stated he knows some children need other avenues to learn. All teachers should address all students needs and teach them accordingly.
Dianne asked how do teachers make the day look different for these students
Debbie stated that some kindergarten students are good at painting but not at reading. She asked that teachers work through this skill and use it to teach these students.
Neil stated this would be a very different school, such as Montessori or A+ Schools.

Workplace Conditions
Teachers are extremely stressed with assessments and paperwork. Many forms must still be filled out by hand.
Neil said that an NCWise verification form has been started that goes to parents to correct only the information that is nor correct and send it back to the school. Neil will check and see if this information can be inserted into forms from Wise.
Assessments overlap and ask the same thing. Why can't these be pre-filled with the needed information on the student? Assessments are a big issue and are done several times a year.
Neil asked Dianne and Debbie to find out, within their own schools, how many forms there are and which processes are time consuming.

Next meeting: January 28, 2008