CHTU Updates

Negotiations Update #2  - Evaluation and Time

Dear Colleagues,

EVALUATIONS:

In 2013 we were able to negotiate language to offset state law governing how Reductions in Force would follow teacher evaluation ratings.  We adopted language that would allow the Board to RIF mostly by tenure status and seniority instead of by teacher ratings.  This “comparable” evaluation language expires with the current contract.  To us, the state language that forces a Board to lay-off by ratings is completely unacceptable.  It would allow a tenured teacher rated “developing” to be RIFd before a non-tenured teacher

Dear Colleagues,

Negotiations started up again on Monday, November 26 and Wednesday November 30.  We learned a lot at these two sessions and will start publishing specifics about where we stand.  Unfortunately, we are not finished.  We next meet January 5 and 11.

During the course of negotiations there are several items that the Board and our Union have agreed upon.  As we reach agreements we sign tentative agreements that usually deal with specific content language that we hope will solve some problems.  Until a final full agreement is recommended by our bargaining team and our Executive Board

Dear Colleagues,
WALK IN:  Please join thousands of people across the nation for the Walk In tomorrow morning at all elementary schools, both middle schools and the high school.  Teachers are helping to coordinate this effort at all buildings.  We would like you to show up outside, wearing your CHTU T-Shirt, for the 10 minute rally and then walk in with the students.  To read more about the national effort go to http://www.reclaimourschools.org/  Also, if you take good pictures of the event please send them to coalition@chuh.net.

OCT 7 LIT DROP:  We have close to two dozen people signed up to

Dear Colleagues,
This fall CHUH voters will have a chance to vote for a much needed school levy.  It is in our best interest to help get information out to CHUH voters to help pass this levy.  Please help.

On Friday, October 7 we are asking you to help with a targeted literature drop around the district.  It is easy and can also count on your fitbit steps for the day.  If you sign up we will have a packet of literature dropped at your school.  After work, walk the turf you are given and hang door tags.  This is not canvassing where you have to knock on doors.  The levy committee is trying to get

Dear Colleagues,
On October 6 the Heights Coalition, PTA Council, and CHTU are sponsoring a Walk In at our buildings.  Come together for ten minutes before the start of the school day on October 6 to support our students and staff, to celebrate public education, and to proclaim What Matters Most to Us about our public schools.  The event will coincide with a national day of action sponsored by AROS, the Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools.
Please participate in this upbeat and positive event that gives us a chance to show out support for public education at home and across the nation.  Teams of

Dear Colleagues,
For those of you who are cooking in your classrooms I am hoping there is some relief in sight, but I have as much influence on the weather as you.  When we brought up concerns around heat in buildings during negotiations we were told that it was not a problem.  We wanted to define heat index days in the contract for the situation we find ourselves in this week.  We do not have a solution.  Perhaps invite some central administrators to your room for an exciting lesson during the heat?  A board member might enjoy sitting through a 90 degree lesson.  The problem is not going to

Dear Colleagues,
 

As published last week our negotiations for a successor contract has stalled until after the levy.  We continue to work under the old contract until such time as we ratify something new.  Base salary, benefits, and working conditions have not changed.  So, it is kind of like being in a black hole, not knowing which direction we will end up moving.  The only thing for certain is that there is uncertainty.  Over the next few weeks I plan on sharing what I can about negotiations; where we agree, where we disagree, and where we are headed.

It is possible that regardless of the levy

The CHUH district will have a 5.5 mil levy on the ballot for November 2016. It is the first operating levy in 5 years - 2 years longer than the normal life expectancy of a school levy.  This means that the district has not had any increase in operating costs for 5 years even though everything costs more today than it did 5 years ago.

Citizen's for Heights Schools (chuhyes.com) is organizing volunteers for phone banking, lit drops, and more. They can also use donations.  Our CHTU Executive Board endorsed the levy and made a contribution in June.

The attached slide presentation gives