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MINUTES OF THE JOINT LABOR-MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

JLMC SUMMARY RECORD

PUBLISHED EXCLUSIVELY BY THE OVERSEAS FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

Vol. 28 No. 2 Lajes, the Azores February 7, 2008

OFT Participants: Eileen Kless, OFT European Director; James Wood, Lajes Unit School, Mary Hobson, Lajes Unit School; Pamela Cleaverley, Rota HS; Marie Sainz-Funaro, OFT President and Chief Spokesperson.

DoDDS Participants: Mark Sullivan, Labor Relations Specialist, DoDDS-E; Ginny Briggs, Principal, Lajes Unit School; Linda Curtis, Deputy Director, DoDDS-E, Chief Spokesperson.

This is the second of this year’s regularly scheduled Joint Labor-Management Committee Meetings. The next meeting of this school year will be held in Ankara, Turkey, on March 17, 2008.

Preliminary Agenda

New Agenda ItemsOnline Applications at DoDEA. OFT reported that educators are sent asked to go to TOPS or DAPPS or other online applications, and fill out applications,. They and receive an automated response that the process will be completed in 5 working days. Often, nothing happens. After nothing happens and the teacher makes an inquiry, teachers findthey are then told that that they needed to submit a memorandum, a waiver or some other supporting document. Only after the teacher makes an inquiry about why they have not received whatever document they are requesting, e.g., orders, are they told that their application is incomplete. OFT asked why are they not notified immediately and it is not until a teacher inquires about the progress are they told that their inquiry in incomplete. how this can be remedied.

Management responded that Tthe DoDEA HQ HR goal is completion of all requests in TOPS and DAPS within 5 workdays, and they are striving to reach that goal on all requests.  However, when the 5-day timeline is not met the employee should contact servicing PCR for assistance on checking with the HQ representative to determine what the delay may be. HQ HR is also evaluating the TOPS and DAPS programs to see if they can implement some procedure that will enable them to evaluate a request and notify an employee quickly if documents or information is missing that would prevent the request from being processed.  This change will not be easy to effect, but HQ HR understands the problem and concern and will try to improve these systems to address this issue. DoDEA is hoping to automate the request for supporting documents once the application has been submitted.

OFT objected and expressed concern that if a timeline by DoDEA is not met then it is the employee’s responsibility to initiate action. In particular OFT objects to the implication that the teacher is always at fault. Both OFT and Management agreed that it is an inefficient use of everyone’s time. Management said that there have been some improvements and hope to see more with the automation in place.

Timely receipt of orders through TOPS. Last spring there were long delays in receiving orders through TOPS. This fall, the delay continues to include ERD and PCS orders. Discussion. In the case of one member, her orders were changed when she went from Europe to the Pacific without notification. (Carla Kelly – Marie do you remember this case?)

Yearly LQA Advance. OFT noted that DoDEA Why is HQ has changinged the dates on yearly advances for those teachers required to pay their rent in one payment in advance. Educators who had applied Some applied for a September start month had the start date changed and were – Sept and DODDS placed them on an Octan October-Oct September cycle. Teachers are had to paypaying out of pocket. DODDS DoDEA has asksed teachers to apply no more than 2 weeks ahead;, however it takes 2 weeks or more for DODDS DoDEA to process the request and 2 weeks for DFAS to process the action., Tteachers should be able to make their request as far ahead as possibleto apply 6 weeks ahead and continue on the cycle starting in September. OFT requested what actions can be taken to insure timely and accurate receipt of annual LQA.

Management responded that Eemployees should submit a request for advance LQA before they move into quarters - the request cannot be processed earlier than 2 weeks prior to the effective date.  When an employee submits their request late, DFAS begins to pay LQA on a biweekly basis.  In the future when the late advance LQA request is received, the advance LQA amount will be reduced by the amount the employee has received in biweekly payments to keep the employee on the same LQA cycle and keep the advance LQA in line with their lease.

Once again, OFT stated that this is totally unacceptable. Once again, the implication is that the educator has done something incorrectly. Management stated that meetings and teleconferences have been held with DFAS and that there will be a Human Resource meeting this July in to work on these issues and other issues. Marie Sainz-Funaro was invited to join the meeting. Follow up will be with DoDEA Headquarters.

Incirlik Science Labs And Classrooms. OFT reported that the science labs in Incirlik are not adequate. For example, the best equipped room has a chemical shower without a drain. Further, the chemical storage is in a separate building. OFT asked what is being done to improve the science labs in Incirlik.

Management responded that currently teachers are being afforded the opportunity to use the lab at the Incirlik Education Center (formerly Incirlik High school) lab. There are no funds dedicated to upgrading school labs.

OFT responded that the opportunity to use in the lab in the Education Center is unwieldy. Teachers must ask permission to use the facility on a case by case basis. It is not always available. In addition, the location and safety of the chemical storage at the high school is unacceptable and science labs are being run in substandard facilities.

Management responded that Beth Pond would look at the chemical storage while on her visit to Incirlik. Linda Curtis asked Mark Sullivan to have the engineers to do a cost estimate of the science lab.

OFT will request a follow up report on Ms. Pond’s visit.

Incirlik And Ankara- SIP-SIP Training. The Union reported that SIP training was canceled in Turkey early in the school year due for to budget and security reasons. Incirlik school

Management responded that SIP training was conducted January 18, 2008, at Incirlik. Lack of funding precludes additional on-site SIP training. In lieu of on-site training, the SIP trainer is coordinating the process with the school SIP chairs.

OFT noted that educators would also like to have a retirement briefing. Dr. Curtis will work with the Med DSO to arrange a retirement briefing in Turkey. Follow up: Beth Mitchell provided a retirement briefing and took individual appointments in both Ankara and Incirlik the week of February 11th. OFT thanks management.

Online booking of Travel. (Marie’s MOU) Discussion.

Pay Inquires. Teachers are filing pay inquires and are never hearing anything. What is the timeline at the DSO for responding to inquiries?

1. Incirlik Science Labs and classrooms. OFT reported that the Sscience labs in Incirlik are not adequate. in Incirlik. For example, the best equipped room has a chemical shower without a drain. Further, Tthe chemical storage is in a separate building. OFT asked Wwhat is being done to improve the science labs in Incirlik. Management reported that? Please provide the bio-environmental inspection reports for the science rooms in Incirlik

Currently teachers are being afforded the opportunity to use the lab at the Incirlik Education Center (formerly Incirlik High school) lab. There are no funds dedicated to upgrading school labs.

Postage For RAT. OFT reported that the military has changed their regulation for postage regulations and teachers are not being fully reimbursed for postage while on RAT and asked how teachers can be fully reimbursed.

Management responded that Tthe following remark is included on the educator’s RAT orders:

“For renewal agreement travel (RAT), excess baggage not to exceed 100 lbs. per person is authorized at Government expense in addition to the free checkable baggage.  It can be carried as accompanied baggage, shipped as unaccompanied baggage, or mailed if the local TMO determines that mailing is more economical than shipping.  Baggage allowance is limited to personal clothing and articles necessary for the trip.”

 

In connection with RAT travel, in order to reimburse the educator for postage fees, the educator will need to obtain a letter from the Transportation Management Office (TMO) at their OCONUS post confirming eligibility for reimbursement if the TMO determines that mailing the items is more economical than shipping the items between the educator’s OCONUS post and their actual place of residence.  The letter from the TMO must be submitted with the receipt for payment of the postage fees on the travel voucher.

OFT noted that there is still confusion on bases where there is no TMO. Eileen Kless is working on a RAT checklist to assist teachers with the supporting documentation necessary for RAT reimbursement.

Cottages At Lajes. The Union reported that the Portuguese commander is unwilling to renew visas for cottage owners at Lajes until they sign a statement saying they will vacate their cottage in 2010 and asked whether anything can be done.

Management asked that OFT Pplease refer to the attached article in the April 27, 2007, edition of the Lajes Field “Atlantic Crossroads”. This article outlined the current issues relative to the cottages and the fact that all contracts for sale of the cottages very clearly stated that the sale did not include the ground underneath the cottage, and thus the current campaign to reclaim the ground by the Portuguese government should come as no surprise.

The article stated that the 65th ABW is going to support the policy of the Portuguese government and enforce the Headquarters Azores Air Zone dictate regarding terminating utilities for vacated cottages. The 65th ABW has taken the stance that any disputes are between the Portuguese government and the Cottage Owner/occupants.

The current Portuguese initiative, of not renewing the VISA of an owner/occupant unless they complete a written promise to vacate by 2010, is a matter outside the purview of the 65th ABW Command and/or for that matter, DoDEA/DoDDS, as a tenant activity.

Issuance of a host country VISA is entirely controlled by the host country.  The 65 ABW or DoDEA/DoDDS is not permitted to intervene in affairs properly belonging to the State Department

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Noise Testing At Vicenza. It was noted by the OFT that Safety conducted a nnoise tests were conducted at Vicenza. Levels at the high school gym were reported as extremely high. OFT asked what corrections have or will be made. The Union also asked that it be provided with a full report and inquired as to what DoDDS-E plans to do with thise dataresults of the testing.

Management responded that Ffinal reports are still pending and have not been received. The inspector, who came from Germany, informed staff that results of the tests completed on October 25, 2007 would take two or more months (testing completed on October 25, 2007) to compile, analyze and write-up due to some transitioning that was going on in their command structure. Preliminary verbal reports indicate noise is not a problem in the Vicenza ES and HS Permanent Gyms. Noise seems to be a potential issue in the base provided temporary auxiliary gym (Luna Bubble). It is much better than the little baby gym that was used in the past.  Acoustically, the Bubble accentuates sound. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the PE teacher uses a microphone and sound system to conduct classes. However, the school has received no specific complaints. and Tthe PE teacher has no complaints, realizesing the limitations of the temporary gym;. however, tThe studentskids have room to have PE in the Bubble and this is an all-round much better situation. A project to replace the buildings “skin” is pending. This project should resolve any potential sound issues in the temporary auxiliary gymnasium. The Med DSO will review the final report and create a plan of action.

OFT will continue to monitor noise testing at Vicenza and will wait for the report from DoDDS-E.In terms of what is being done at the moment, I guess the best answer to that is that DoDDS has broken ground at Villagio for a new Elementary School, which will include a new gym with, hopefully, better acoustics or noise/sound distribution.

Inexperienced Partnering. OFT is concern with management pairing inexperienced principals with inexperienced assistant principals (Incirlik, Sigonella). Is it possible to pair experienced with inexperienced?

Excent. The Union reported that problems with Excent continue are caused by the program itself. OFT asked when a new version of Excent will be implemented in Europe.

Management responded that DoDEA and DoDDS-E IT Divisions are configuring SMS and the new on-line Excent systems to exchange data now. Once the technical issues are worked out, the testing of web-based Excent with three Europe schools will begin this spring, and after successful testing, should allow us to fully implement it in the fall. DoDEA will provide one half day of training for critical personnel prior to the implementation of the pilot. Lajes ES/HS, Vicenza ES and Wiesbaden MS have been selected for the pilot to occur this spring.

OFT responded that we will continue to monitor the program and asked that Eileen Kless participate in the Lajes training. OFT will monitor the two Med schools piloting the software. OFT requested a time line for the program implementation. OFT requests that an MOU be provided prior to the testing the new program in Vicenza and Lajes.

Delay In Receiving Information On Non-Temporary Storage. The Union noted that each year educators and the OFT make many requests for information on non-temporary storage before information is finally provided and asked what can be done to insure timely receipt of information.

Management responded that Tthe fund citation is received from Fiscal normally in the middle of September and the FY starts 1 Oct.  When the fund citation is received the letters to the storage facilities are prepared.  Once those letters are sent to the storage company, copies of those letters are forwarded to each school secretary to distribute to the employee.   An employee can always contact their PCR or HQ representative to see if the storage has been paid if they have not received the letter from their school point of contact. The employee responsibility is to ensure we have their DD-1299 when they place HHG in NTS so we can provide the fund citation to the storage facility timely.   

Once again, the employee has to be the person to inquire and we await improvements to the current procedure. OFT will continue to monitor the situation. OFT resents the implication that the employee is at fault for this inefficient process. The DD-1299 has been in place and yet teachers still receive notice that their goods will be auctioned off if payment from DODDS is not forthcoming. There will be follow-up on this issue.

Bypassing The OFT. OFT raised the issue of bypassing the Union on several occasions during the year. OFT discussed not being properly notified of changes that require Appropriate Arrangements negotiation, e.g., a) a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by OFT and DoDDS-E for administering the test for Grade 3. This year testing was done in grades K-2 without an MOU being signed, b) Failure to negotiate with the OFT on DTS prior to implementation c) the implementation of S2S prior to negotiations.

Management responded that it is true that there was no pre-implementation bargaining on DTS. This issue was addressed at the last JLMC and the Union indicated that they would see how DTS implementation proceeded and then decide whether to submit proposals. An MOU was signed on January 28, 2008.

The S2S (Student to Student) initiative had a short suspense and turn around. There were concerns at the school level because the S2S training in Wiesbaden took place on a Sunday with travel commencing on a Saturday. Since any kind of premium pay is prohibited for attendance at training and/or conferences, an arrangement was made to provide the attendees with compensatory time.

OFT insisted that although many of the problems were solved, it was because the Union sought to resolve the issues without litigation. In any case, bypassing the union is unacceptable and inefficient. For example, a letter sent by DoDEA to principals contained incorrect information on the excessing process. Had the union been provided an opportunity to review and agree to the document much confusion could have been avoided. OFT threatened to file a ULP and restraining order to get the issue clarified.

Management has now requested that correspondence be submitted to DoDDS-E before distribution.

Red Passports and Visas in Italy. What is DoDDS doing to ensure that teachers transferring to Italy will receive their visas and passports in a timely fashion? Union notes that last year’s lack of timeliness was unacceptable. How will things work differently this year?

Time Off For Pay Issues. The Union noted that because of the inordinate amount of time educators spend on resolving pay issues, it is requesting that teachers be given an appropriate amount of administrative time off to work on pay issues.

Management responded that Management is opposed to any dedicated time-off from teaching duties to work on pay issues. tThe current practice of having educators initiate a pay inquiry with the District Customer Service Representative (CSR) who in turn acts as the liaison between DoDEA, DFAS and the teacher is a satisfactory arrangement and pay problems are eventually resolved, albeit not always in a timely manner. However, once the pay inquiry is initiated, the personal involvement of the educator in the process becomes less time consuming as the CSR tracks the inquiry and forwards any reported remedy to the teacher. It is unclear how granting time-off from work to work on pay issues would facilitate resolution of the pay issues.

OFT commented that it is very clear how having time off to work on pay issues would facilitate resolution. DFAS makes errors constantly and the educator has to unravel these errors. It seems very clear to the Union that educators need time off to work on issues that are completely unrelated to teaching but require an inordinate amount of time because another Agency is unable to do their job correctly. One member has a 3 inch binder of email traffic, leave and earning statements and inaccurate spreadsheets which were provided to her by DFAS.

Fire Drills At Naples ES. At Naples ES, the fire alarm goes off at any time causing lots of confusion and lost instructional time. This has been a chronic problem and OFT asks that this issue be addressed once and for all.

Management responded that tThe alarm system at Naples ES has sounded approximately 8 times during the instructional day since August 2007, outside of the fire drill requirements. The causes of the alarms range from smoke detectors triggering the system due to dust and water pressure drops, which automatically trigger the alarms. As construction on the Support Site occurs, at some point, water line work causes water pressure to drop. This signals an alarm as the internal sprinkler system fails when water pressure drops to a certain point. This feature of the alarm system is vital to the safety of the school. It cannot be disabled. When Mr. Alix arrived in 2004, the alarm system was not functional. There were a series of approximately 10 faults that were causing as many as 16 unscheduled alarms in a calendar month. This is what he inherited. The school worked closely with PWD and the landlord to get this resolved. The alarm system is functioning correctly. The air in Naples is also a part of the problem. The landlord is responsive and completes regularly scheduled maintenance on the system.

Lastly, the DSO-Engineering COR Representative, has requested the Navy to begin the process of withholding rent payments until the system is fully functional. Steve Arn will be asked to look into why there is a problem at the ES and not at the HS.

OFT was adamant that we are not interested in the all of the reasons why the alarm does not work but it happy to see that some action will be taken such as withholding rent for this faulty system. We are in the twenty first century and this can be fixed. Student and teacher interruptions due to a faulty alarm system are unacceptable and have a negative impact on the educational program.

Worldwide Transfer ProgamProgram. Since the meeting, this has become a moot point. An MOU on the transfer program has been signed by OFT and DoDEA.

Update On School Maintenance And School Construction. The Union requested the most recent information regarding the status of school construction and school maintenance for schools in the OFT bargaining unit.

Management responded with the following updates. Maintenance: The 5- year plans for each school have been submitted to DODEA for review and potential funding. To date, only funds for routine maintenance have been received. No projects have been funded in FY08 therefore a list of projects cannot be provided at this time. Activities listed in the 5-year plans are being prioritized by DoDDS-E for funding. At the time funding is provided and a project is then identified, a project listing can be provided. The most recent comprehensive status reports for MILCON projects are attached.  Current projects include Sigonella ES/HS, Rota MPB & HS & Vicenza E/MS.

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Budget Information. OFT requested budget information for the Med District and Bahrain including funding for EDC, workshops for teacherprofessional development for educatorss, construction and maintenance by school, TDY and, supplies. Will additional funding be provided during the year?

Management provided the latest budget spreadsheets.The latest budget spreadsheets are attached.

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SMS Program. Update on SIS aka SMS.

Timely Receipt Of Orders Through TOPS. OFT noted that last spring there were long delays in receiving orders through TOPS. At the last JLMC meeting, management reported that they would provide additional information to employees as we got closer to the time to request them. OFT requested when the information would be provided.

Management responded that Eeach year DoDEA HQ runs into delays that are not preventable with processing travel orders timely (.i.e., lack of funds, transfer program, amendments, etc), however, their goal is to get the travel orders processed within 5 workdays of receipt.  Orders processing teams in HR and Fiscal Division are meeting on February 5 to agree on a strategy to effect timely processing of orders this year. 

OFT will continue to monitor the timelines of orders from TOPS.

Update on GradeSpeed. OFT requested an update on GradeSpeed.

The gradebook program “GradeSpeed” has about 1200 DoDDS-E teachers participating in this year’s test.  A number of schools have recruited parents to test accounts in the “Parent Connection”.  Technical issues such as a failure of GradeSpeed to pass grades to SMS are rare and usually resolved quickly.  The vendor has been responsive to issues DoDEA has raised.  In early December, DoDEA’s SIS Chief, Richard Gamble, visited 6 schools in Europe to talk with teachers about their use of the program.  He gathered information on some common requests from teachers such as allowing teachers to send progress reports to multiple addresses and hide assignments from the “Parent Connection” until they finish grading the assignment.  Those features should be available by the start of SY 08-09.  Teachers felt the program was intuitive and liked the fact that they had access from an Internet connection at home.  We will test the ability of the program to accept student course requests this spring.  Tip sheets and periodic teacher and principal/ET updates are posted on Blackboard.

OFT expressed overall satisfaction with the GradeSpeed program; however, many teachers are concerned with parent expectations for instant grade reports. Grade reports are not always up to date nor do they reflect major assignments which may have a significant effect of the grade early in the grading period. Teachers appreciate the email capability but are concerned that the software does not verify when progress reports are sent via email.

Management requested that the union consider an MOU which would prevent teachers from using the SMS gradebook.

OFT asked that management provide an initial proposal.

OFT also asked for an update on the new elementary school report card. Management replied that it would be like the DDESS report card and that a meeting will be held in which this and other issues will be discussed. Management reported that Marie Sainz-Funaro will be invited to that meeting.

Visas And Passports. The Union asked for an update on what actions have been taken to insure that educators receive passports and visas in a timely manner, especially for educators traveling to Italy. OFT will remind educators to check expiration dates but wanted to know what the current turnaround time is on getting visas and official passports.

Management reported that HQ HR recognizes the problems that teachers experienced obtaining visas to Italy last year.  They are preparing instructions that will be sent to all teachers who receive an assignment to Italy and will closely monitor the processing of passports and visas for these teachers.  HQ hopes through better communications with the teachers and closer monitoring of the visa applications to avoid the problems from last year.

OFT reported that better communications with teacher is important but that the failure to get Visas and Passports in a timely fashion last year was not the fault of the educators. OFT will carefully monitor acquisition of visas and hopes last year’s lesson has been learned.

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Heat And Cold In Buildings. OFT requested an update on what plans are in place to insure that the temperature in buildings is adequate for both hot and cold weather and asked that each school share plans with the OFT.

Management responded that Prpreventative maintenance programs are in place and routine maintenance is being performed as needed at each of the school locations to insure adequacy of HVAC systems. In those locations where particular persistent problems exist (e.g. Rota), additional maintenance contract support is being pursued. Old systems are being identified for replacement and placed on schools’ 5-year programs. Replacement projects are being prioritized and will be executed when funding is authorized by DoDDS-E.

The schools do not have any kind of standing contingency plan prepared for a particular school for the rare instance when an abnormal weather condition causes extremely cold or hot temperatures affecting schools as a whole. As explained previously in the last JLMC, MED Principals refer to the DoDDS-Europe, August 12, 2003, Excessive Heat and School Operations, memorandum for guidance. Past inclement weather events have been coordinated with the applicable location environmental staff, the component Commanders and with the DSO staff. The isolated incidents that have occurred have been resolved satisfactorily and/or the weather itself has resolved the problem.

OFT was adamant that this is not a “rare instance” and noted that an SOP needs to be developed by the principal in coordination with the Union for when the cooling and heating systems do not work. Management reported that they do not have a “contingency plan.” OFT questions the wisdom of not having one. The fact of the matter is that schools are too hot or too cold and swift action is needed to insure a healthy educational environment for both students and teachers. OFT reminded management that this issue was litigated in the past and that the Union won. We are prepared to do this again.

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General Information On Personnel Issues. OFT thanks DoDDS-E HRO for the personnel newsletter. OFT will continue to provide information to our educators but welcomes more frequent newsletter from HRO. How often will this be produced?

DoDDS-E HR started issuing a monthly HR News in November 2007. The intent is to provide timely information and reminders to DoDDS-E employees, with articles focused on items of interest for educators, general schedule and all employees. The last issue was in the Friday Packet, 25 January.

HQ DoDEA HR Center has also initiated a monthly newsletter, the DoDEA HR Advisor, to better communicate with our workforce and keep them information of HR programs. The first issue was sent out in the Friday Packet, 1 February.

OFT thanked management for the update.

Update On Base Closures/Realignment/Moves For Europe. The Union requested an update on base closures and realignments in Europe.

Management reported the following:

Summer 08 Transformation Actions

Verified closures

□ Darmstadt ES/MS

□ Argonner ES

□ Hanau MS/HS

□ Dexheim ES

□ Wuerzburg ES/MS

□ Wuerzburg HS

□ Gaeta ES

□ Neubruecke ES

Verified consolidations

• Aviano MS and Aviano HS will become Aviano MS/HS

• AFNORTH ES and AFNORTH HS will become AFNORTH ES/HS

Verified Openings

□ Natzaberg Elementary School (in addition to Grafenwhor Elementary School)

□ Natzaberg Middle School (in place of Grafenwhor Middle School)

DRA Testing In Naples ES. OFT reported that earlier in the year, subs were provided for K-2 DRA training in Naples and then, according to the local Naples ES administration, the DSO denied subs for the K-2 DRA testing. In Naples this interfered with the SIP since this testing was necessary for their plan. Local management made other arrangements for testing K-2. Nevertheless, this had an impact on the implementation of SIP.

Management responded that Itit is true that the Grade 3 DRA MOU only covered 3rd grade. Mandatory district-wide DRA testing of K-2 is not contemplated. This was communicated to the Union from the Mediterranean District Superintendent. Any DRA testing that has occurred in district schools this year, where substitutes had to be utilized, should have been done IAW the present MOU. Substitute coverage has been very tight this year; therefore, when Naples ES opted to test K-1-2, the Principal was able to accommodate the testing by utilizing assessors rather than by hiring substitute teachers.

Naples ES had a pilot program of DRA testing during school years 04-05 and 05-06.  DRA testing was done in 06-07 but not as part of the pilot program. The idea was to use the DRA as a guide to instruction. The Staff endorsed the use of the DRA and it became part of the SIP plan. Any DRA testing that has occurred in district schools this year, where substitutes had to be utilized, should have been done IAW the present MOU. Substitute coverage has been very tight this year; therefore, when Naples ES opted to test K-1-2, the Principal was able to accommodate the testing by utilizing assessors rather than by hiring substitute teachers.

As a staff development activity, professional development days were used for training/testing.  This prompted the union to protest the loss of PD days for the staff. Nonetheless, the Staff endorsed the use of the DRA and it became part of the SIP plan. According to the administration, no educators who administered the DRA asked for subs.

OFT responded that Naples teachers were provided subs and that they had asked for subs for the winter DRA testing. Management was going to follow up. Professional Development days were provided to schools. Local management could use the PD days to provide subs for DRA testing.

Parent Visits To Classrooms At Vicenza HS. The Union reported that there are parents in Vicenza who are visiting classrooms at the high school for reasons other than to assist teachers or at the invitation of the teacher. While OFT encourages parent participation in their children’s education, we do not support disruptions in classrooms from parents and pointed out Article 20, Section 2 of the CBA.

According to the Vicenza HS Handbook, the section Visitors, page 74, states: “The school welcomes visitors. Parents wishing to visit classes are to meet first with the principal to determine the classes to be visited and the reason. DoDEA Regulation 4700.2, Enclosure 4 requires ALL VISITORS to report to the main office to obtain a visitor’s badge prior to going to the classroom.” If a parent visits a classroom without securing a visitor badge and prior approval, the teacher may request that the parent go to the office for such approval prior to entering the classroom.

OFT responded that there are parents who insist on observing in classrooms without the consent or approval of the educator. While OFT encourages parent participation in their children’s education, we do not support disruptions in classrooms. Everyone is reminded that the classroom is the teacher’s workplace and must be respected.

College Credit For DoDDS/DoDEA Workshops. In the past all educators had the opportunity to register for college credit that could be used for salary advancement or recertification when attending certain DoDDS and DoDEA sponsored workshops. This was denied at a recent workshop and was characterized as “double-dipping”. OFT raised this concern with management. DoDDS-E will investigate this and provide additional information. Since the meeting OFT filed a policy grievance over this issue.

Student Pupil Ratio At Naples MS/HS OFT reported that some of the middle school classes at Naples have nearly thirty students. When addressed locally, the principal stated that the 16-1 ratio was for middle school and that Naples was not a middle high school. OFT is concerned that the use of staff to offer an eighth class in the high school schedule is negatively impacting the middle school core classes.

Management responded that the recommended ratio for middle school students, whether in combination schools or stand alone middle schools is 16-1. It is suggested that Naples explore other options to provide additional courses for high school students without impacting the middle school pupil student ratio.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

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