Schools

D15 Arbitration Hearing on Late Start/Early Release Set for Thursday

In mid-May, the District 15 Classroom Teachers' Council filed a grievance after the school board voted in favor of early release Fridays to set aside teacher development time during the school week.

An arbitration hearing to reach a final decision on when District 15 teachers will be given development time during the school week will be held this Thursday. 

The hearing is a direct result of a grievance being filed by the Classroom Teachers' Council (CTC) after the school board voted in early May in favor of early release Fridays, instead of late start on Mondays or Wednesdays. The latter times were preferences of the CTC, according to Superintendent Scott Thompson at one of several meetings leading up to the vote. 

District 15 parent Lisa Szczupaj led the charge over the last several months to support an early release on Fridays. She said she has been called as a witness, not only for District 15 at the hearing Thursday, but also for the CTC. 

Dozens of parents, in addition to Szczupaj, came before the school board during multiple meetings from January through early May, claiming the alternative - a late start on Mondays or Wednesdays - would be more difficult for parents to manage relating to transportation and supervision of their children, especially for single and working parents. 

"We are hoping parents who continue to support late release Fridays will be there Thursday morning outside the Joseph M. Kiszka Education Center at  580 N. First Bank Drive, to show their support as the arbitrators arrive at 8:30 a.m.,” Szczupaj said.

In early May, the District 15 school board voted 4-1 with one abstention in favor of Friday early release

Later that month, the CTC filed a grievance stating their contract terms with D15 had been violated

“The position of the District 15 board of education hasn’t changed,” said Peggy Babcock, board president. “The vote was taken and though it wasn't unanimous, we stand behind that vote; now we’re onto the next legal phase and we will abide by what the arbitrators decide.”

At issue is the definition of 'overwhelming majority' in the CTC contract with District 15.

The contract states, "Weekly release of students by means of late start except that the concept of late start may be amended to an early release in the event there is overwhelming opposition from parents in the District 15 community during the development and stages prior to implementation."

The problem is, no clear metrics have ever been defined as to how 'overwhelming majority' would be quantified. 

To date, 855 people have signed the Change.org petition created by Szczupaj in support of early release.

Szczupaj said there were roughly 300 more emails fielded in favor of development time for teachers occurring Friday afternoons, as well as 352 hard copy signatures on a petition. 

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A survey released by District 15 on the issue was taken by 12, 236 people. The highest number of votes - 1,479 - were in support of an early release on Friday. 

For full survey results, click here. 

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Regardless of which way the decision goes, Thompson said, "I am excited for the professional development that will occur during the release time for our staff members."

Thompson added that the time will be used to improve teaching skills, and allow for collaboration that will positively impact students, better preparing them for future success.

"The agreement between the Board, CTC and American Arbitration Association stipulates a decision to be rendered by September 27th," he said. 

The changes would not be implemented until January of 2014. 

 






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