2012-13 EARLY RELEASE (Friday) TIME USE:
This year, Early Release Time (ERT) will be differentiated between elementary and secondary schools. All K-6 and all K-8 schools will have two Friday afternoon ERTs for teacher planning. All secondary schools (middle, high and 4-8 configurations) will alternate available Fridays with building or PLC time.
ELEMENTARY SCHEDULE: Each building faculty should work with its principal to develop a regular monthly schedule. In every month, two ERTs will be teacher work time, one ERT will be for building or principal needs. In the four months when four Fridays occur, the fourth Friday will be split evenly between teacher and building time.
SECONDARY SCHEDULE: Each week, the early release time should be divided equally between teacher plan time and building PLC time. Teacher plan time will always be the first half of the afternoon, PLC time the last. PLC time ends at the end of your regular day. You should be involved in your building decision about when each begins.
As always, things come up that require scheduling changes. Any change to the building schedule must be agreed upon jointly and communicated at least one week prior to the change. Secondary schools who choose to, may negotiate an alternate schedule; some may prefer to alternate Fridays rather than split the time each week. Again, changes must be agreed upon jointly.
Below is the actual contract language:
EARLY RELEASE INDIVIDUAL PLAN TIME
Data shows that time for teachers and buildings to collaborate is essential to well functioning and successful schools. Therefore, early release planning time shall be used to improve quality instruction and enhance student achievement as outlined by the school improvement plans. Teachers and building principals shall be accountable for early release planning time. The District shall be responsible for holding all parties accountable for appropriate use of time as outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding.
The parties agree that all SECONDARY schools within the District will utilize Early Release and individual plan time during the school year in the following manner:
A. Teachers will be given a minimum of five (5) individual teacher plan times per week as outlined in 11-4-1.
B. In any given week if a sixth (6th) plan time occurs at the elementary level, principals will have the opportunity to meet with teams, grade levels, departments, or entire staff during one (1) planning time per week.
C. Principals will notify staff one (1) week in advance if a daily planning period will be used or if there is a request to exchange times for early release to allow for building flexibility.
D. The early release time for secondary schools (middle and high schools and grade 4-8 configurations) shall be utilized as follows:
E. The Early Release time for Elementary schools (including K-8 configurations) shall be utilized as follows:
Data shows that time for teachers and buildings to collaborate is essential to well functioning and successful schools. Therefore, early release planning time shall be used to improve quality instruction and enhance student achievement as outlined by the school improvement plans. Teachers and building principals shall be accountable for early release planning time. The District shall be responsible for holding all parties accountable for appropriate use of time as outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding.
The parties agree that all SECONDARY schools within the District will utilize Early Release and individual plan time during the school year in the following manner:
A. Teachers will be given a minimum of five (5) individual teacher plan times per week as outlined in 11-4-1.
B. In any given week if a sixth (6th) plan time occurs at the elementary level, principals will have the opportunity to meet with teams, grade levels, departments, or entire staff during one (1) planning time per week.
C. Principals will notify staff one (1) week in advance if a daily planning period will be used or if there is a request to exchange times for early release to allow for building flexibility.
D. The early release time for secondary schools (middle and high schools and grade 4-8 configurations) shall be utilized as follows:
- The first one half of the early release time will be individual self- directed teacher plan and the second half of the early release time will be for principal/ building/professional learning community needs. Each building will agree on the start times for PLCs.
E. The Early Release time for Elementary schools (including K-8 configurations) shall be utilized as follows:
- Two Early Release days per month shall be individual self-directed teacher plan. One Early Release day per month shall be for Principal/Building needs. The fourth Early Release day in the months of September, February, March, and May shall be split: one half will be individual self-directed teacher plan, and one half will be for building/principal needs. Each building will agree on a yearly schedule for the designated Early Release time by September 10th. Changes to the schedule must be mutually agreed upon one week in advance. This schedule shall specifically exclude teacher workdays and district Professional Development days.