Speak Up for SPECIALISTS
October 2021 Vol. 42
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Working Conditions

As we look forward to improving our working conditions with the coming contract bargain, it is very helpful to know if the current CBA and staffing guidelines published by Krista Erolin are being honored. Please take a moment to share your situation in regard to caseload, schedule, planning, subbing, Covid precautions, etc. Click below to take the survey.
Overload

Remember to track how many students you have in overload in order to submit for pay at the end of the trimester.

  • Submit for pay once each trimester
  • Link to form
  • It will be noted as “Certificated Class Overage Stipend” on your paycheck.
Here is an easy clickable contact list for TEA, TPS Administrators, and the School Board for use in keeping the lines of communications open. Updated for 2021-22
One Job, One Educator
Equitable Access to
Quality Instruction
Advocacy Resource Links
Ask TEA to seek Clear Contract Language for Specialists
As TEA continues to work on behalf of only some members, many specialists have been asking themselves whether or not to continue their membership in TEA.
We hope that you will stick with TEA for one more year so that we can work within the union during the 2022 open bargain. This year we have increased specialist representation in TEA-RA and have raised awareness of the issues of equity that we face. Change takes time. If we are NOT members, there is even less reason for TEA to bargain for better working conditions for us.
Please contact the TEA executive board and urge them to work on adding these points to the contract.
  • One Job, One Educator. When this is not possible, co-teaching language should apply.
  • Staffing Formula -- How many classes support 1.0 FTE? This is an issue of equity and access to quality instruction for both students and staff.
  • Caseload limit --There needs to be one. Currently we can be asked to serve over 250 students in a single day. This is more than anyone in the district.
*To be most effective, we suggest sending all correspondences to the entire board.
Tacoma Specialists Advocacy Council
Maggie Ross - Music: Fernhill, Franklin
Matt Wood - PE: Stafford
Megan Oberfield - Music: Browns Point, Lister
Michael Caldwell -PE: DeLong, Crescent Heights
Paula Greuling - Music: Birney, Roosevelt
Penny Cramer - Music: Sherman, TOL
Rod Huskey - Music: Boze, Mann
Roxane Hreha - Music: Whitman, Franklin
Steve Johnson - PE: Lowell, Fawcett

For more information, visit us at tacomaspecialists.org
or contact us at tacomaspecialists@gmail.com