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| Students from Valdez Elementary in Northwest Denver. |
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Vision Work Regarding ProComp Continues
Dear Teachers,
We wanted to give you an update on our discussions with DCTA around ProComp. As a reminder, we reached a five-year Master Agreement with DCTA last fall, ratified with an 89% positive vote. (Details on what is provided for under the five-year Master Agreement are below.)
The two sides are starting conversations about how to best spend the roughly $34 million we receive each year from the dedicated ProComp mill levy, money which must be spent according to the terms of the mill levy that DCTA and the district jointly put to voters in 2005. This agreement is separate from the five-year master agreement that will not be renegotiated until 2022.
We're eager to discuss ProComp: how to have a clearer, more predictable compensation system that is consistent with the mill levy ballot measure that voters approved, that recognizes teachers who teach in the highest poverty schools, and which provides stronger increases over a teacher's lifetime. DPS' last proposal can be seen here.
We believe that our conversations with DCTA regarding ProComp can be collaborative and focused on working together to design the best compensation system in Colorado. We have great past examples of our collaborative work including our original design work that created ProComp and our most recent design-team efforts that included significant teacher outreach and feedback.
We believe that smaller focused discussions with DCTA can help move us forward, as it has done over many years. Smaller discussions, like the DCTA-District joint design team that originally worked to dream up ProComp, have historically demonstrated much more give and take, vulnerability and exploration of new ideas than have the public sessions. We are strongly urging DCTA to join us in a collaborative, mediated problem-solving approach.
Details on the five-year Master Agreement and its provisions for both this year and next year:
- An average 5.6% increase for 2017-18 (highest increase in the metro area). All teachers and specialized service providers (SSPs) received a $1,400 increase to their base pay on top of their other base-building incentives under ProComp (or steps/lanes for the traditional salary schedule). Additionally, Title I teachers who were not receiving the ProComp incentive (whether currently in ProComp or not) are now receiving an additional $1,500 a year.
- An average 4.6% increase for 2018-19. Next year, teachers and SSPs will receive their base-building incentives under ProComp (or steps/lanes on the traditional salary schedule) and a 2.64% cost of living increase. All other ProComp incentives, including the Title I incentive, will continue.
Best,
Tom
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This Week's Top 5 Things to Know
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Pay Changes: Reminder about Summer Paydays
Starting this summer, every team member will be paid twice a month. Teachers will receive a full paycheck on July 31. Then, they'll receive two paychecks in August: a full, final paycheck for the 2017-18 contract year on Aug. 31; and a half-month's paycheck on Aug. 22 (the first payment for the 2018-19 contract year). After that, teachers -- and all other team members -- will be paid half their monthly salary on the 7th and half their monthly salary on the 22nd of every month.
Teachers will continue to use SmartFind Express to submit time off and request substitutes. They will not request or report time off in True Pay. They will, however, have access to True Pay to request health leaves, see leave balances, review timesheets and more. When team members return from summer break, they will have access to training to learn more about True Pay, our new time and attendance system.
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Introducing Whetstone: DPS' New Observation and Coaching Tool
Whetstone
will replace Schoolnet for observation data collection beginning in the 2018-19 school year. Whetstone is a collaborative observation and coaching tool in support of continual improvement and development for teachers, specialized service providers (SSPs) and school leaders.
Training on this new tool will be available during August Teal Days for all teachers and SSPs. School leaders will receive their training during July Leadership Week. More details will be available when teachers return to schools in August. If you have questions, email
[email protected]
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DPS Switching to Learning Space for Enhanced PD Registration and Tracking
Beginning
June 4
, DPS will be using Learning Space to register for and track districtwide professional development (PD), event and committee participation. Learning Space provides improved search capabilities, wait list functionality, automatic recording of professional development in employee profiles, easy access to transcripts and one registration process for all PD and professional development units (PDUs). More information about this change will be sent at the end of May. Please note: Learning Space will be used to register for PD that begins Sept. 1 or later, and Schoolnet will continue to be used for PD occurring before Sept. 1. After Sept. 1, use of Schoolnet for PD registration will be discontinued.
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Sign Up for Aug. 14 Teal Day Sessions Now
Before leaving for summer break, secure your spot for the Aug. 14 Teal Day. Teal Day sessions are an opportunity for teachers to build capacity, participate in growth opportunities and support students by deepening their understanding of content and best practices. Find session descriptions, registration links and more in the
Teal Day Session Guide
. If you have questions, contact
Annie Scogin
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Register Now for 2018 Summer Professional Learning
Registration is filling up fast for summer 2018 professional learning sessions. Register now to secure your spot! You can find detailed information about the sessions being offered throughout the summer -- including descriptions, dates and registration information -- in the
2018 Summer Session Guide
. If you have questions, email
Curriculum & Instruction
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BONUS: Win $500 in School Supplies for Your School by Completing the Coaching and Leadership Survey
If you have not done so already, please complete the Coaching and Leadership survey using the personalized link you received last Monday. The six schools (based on school size) with the highest response rates will receive $500 in school supplies!
The survey closes
Friday, May 18
. If you can't find the survey link or you have questions, contact
[email protected]
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Other Resources and Information
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Click here to learn more about these resources and opportunities:
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- Work with Students to Access the New Student Portal Sneak Peek
- Save Your 2017-18 LEAP Handbooks
- Apply to the CSU Global Mini Master's Program
- Register to Attend the Trusted Adults Pathway to Marijuana Prevention Conference
- Register Now for the ELA-S Biliteracy Conference
- Specialized Service Providers: Complete End-of-Year Appraisal Process with Your Manager
- Join the Latinx/Hispanic Belong Group for a Happy Hour
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