By Cynthia Sjoquist, BTU Field Representative
Planning Periods: Teacher Contract Article 7.2 & 7.8
There are two articles of the Teacher Contract that address planning periods and there are two big takeaways when it comes to planning, and especially collaborative planning.
- ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS- Should have NO FEWER than 3 uninterrupted, duty-free planning periods per week. (Admin can add additional periods for collaboration.)
SECONDARY TEACHERS- Should have NO FEWER than 5 uninterrupted, duty-free planning periods per week. (Admins can use one of your five periods and/or add additional periods for collaboration.)
- If your planning period is used for a meeting (IEP, SST, evaluations…etc.) you are entitled to a make-up planning period AND/OR cannot be required to attend collaborative planning if it reduces your duty-free time.
7.2 School Week The school week for secondary teachers and those teachers in departmentalized and middle schools shall be in accordance with the following chart showing various scheduling options and except in cases where school faculties indicate otherwise, five (5) forty-five (45) minute duty-free lunch periods.
7.8 Available Preparation Time
- The Board will provide three (3) forty-five (45) minute preparation periods per week for all elementary school teachers.
- When children are under the supervision of the physical education teacher, librarian, music resource teacher, or art resource teacher, the classroom teacher, at his option, may leave the teaching area and use that period as a preparation period. The teacher shall not be assigned any other duty at that period.
- The Board will maintain a list of substitute teachers who will be used for resource teachers’ absences. This list should be available to each principal.
- Each school having a rescheduled day shall allow thirty (30) minutes of that time for teacher preparation and planning.
- Collaborative Planning
- For secondary schools that have scheduled more than the five (5) preparation periods per week set forth in Article 7.2, principals may use one (1) of the additional preparation periods for collaborative planning.
- For secondary schools that have not scheduled more than the five (5) preparation periods per week set forth in Article 7.2, principals may use one (1) of the five (5) preparation periods for collaborative planning.
- For elementary schools that have scheduled more than the three (3) preparation periods per week 39 set forth in Article 7.8A, principals may use one (1) of the additional preparation periods for collaborative planning.
- If BCPSS desires to have a collaborative planning period in an elementary school, it shall add a fourth preparation period which may be used for that purpose.
- If the number of a teacher’s weekly preparation periods is reduced due to an unforeseen circumstance, that teacher’s preparation time will not be further reduced for collaborative planning.
Summer School: PSRP Contract Article IX
Summer School positions for Teachers and PSRPs are now open!
ARTICLE IX — Summer School Employment – Paraprofessionals: In filling Summer positions, the following criteria shall be considered by the appointing officer:
- A rating of satisfactory or better
- Prior experience and/or qualifications in the BCPSS in the same classifications as the one available
- Length of service as a Paraprofessional in the BCPSS
- Summer employment salaries shall be the same as the regular school year.
- Priority shall be given to qualified Paraprofessionals assigned during the regular school year to the summer employment site.
- On April 1 of each year, BCPSS shall post notice at all worksites and on the BCPSS website that it will accept applications for summer positions. As soon as summer positions become known, BCPSS shall post notice at all worksites and on the BCPSS website.
Of course, you all should enjoy the summer off instead!