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Say No to 1.2 Contracts!
For most of the summer break, KEA has been communicating with building admin, counselors, and teachers regarding concerns of understaffed buildings. Building admin have been adjusting master schedules to accommodate hundreds of students who are “on the books” that District admin doesn’t acknowledge. This is creating stress for counselors who are trying to create student schedules, as well as teachers, who are looking at huge class sizes.
Until the students show up next week, we won’t know if the District counts are correct. If we consider the history, KSD purposely budgets for more staff than they hire. This creates situations where principals ask teachers to accept 1.2 contracts. While the extra money might be nice, the consequences are many. some negative effects include:
- Fewer people to cover classes when a sub is unavailable
- Fewer people to supervise students during passing time
- Fewer opportunities for principals to meet with teachers for evaluations
- More disruptive behaviors and conflicts among students outside of classrooms
- More stress on staff due to increased workload and less preparation time; and
- More teacher burnout and increased absence rates
The only way to force the District to hire the appropriate number of staff is to no longer accept 1.2 contracts. It might be inconvenient in the beginning for staff and students, but it is the only way that we are going to stop the District from building their savings account on the backs of educators. It’s not a healthy school environment for people to work, learn, and function day to day when buildings are not staffed properly. Please consider other options before accepting a 1.2 contract.
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