You cannot be fired or disciplined for joining a union. Click the button to join now.
Back-to-School Survival Camp
Time for Evaluations – Principal’s Report Card
They have had their say, now it’s time for yours. This survey is 100% anonymous. Please be sincere in your evaluations and narratives regardless of whether the remarks are positive or negative. Thank you for your participation. Click here to take the survey (10 quick questions).
Simply put, principals can be bullies. It is a sad statement, but it is true nonetheless. At Red River United, we hear stories about professional bullying far too often. Individuals that seek out our assistance are neither troublemakers, nor are they exaggerating their principal’s (or other administrator’s) comments or actions. Initially, most individuals fear retaliation or that their jobs are somehow in jeopardy. We have filed grievances, written resolutions of no confidence, and even gone so far as to consult with our attorneys to combat professional bullying.
From the AFT PSRP Reporter: Singled out. Picked on. Discriminated against. Bullied. All of these are terms for the same thing, says Sharon Baker of the Totem Association of Education Support Personnel in Anchorage, Alaska, and she has no doubt whatsoever that paraprofessionals and school-related personnel (PSRPs) across America have endured harassment and intimidation from other adults on the job. What follows are the stories of PSRPs (their names have been changed or omitted) who have taken a deep breath and confronted their bully or enlisted the union for help in solving their bully problem. It’s not always possible to neutralize a bully right away, but even the worst bullies can be stopped.
Take the case of a library assistant at New York University. A native of Ghana, this AFT member was bullied by a supervisor who called him a monkey, taunted him about eating bananas and told him, “Go back to your cage” and “Go back to the jungle.” With a big assist from the Union of Clerical, Administrative & Technical Staff in New York City, he was able to file a federal lawsuit against the university for failing to protect his civil rights (see Reporter, January/February 2011).
Not every case of bullying becomes a federal case, but most go well beyond rude behavior. Sometimes, working for a bully requires a simple “no” that’s hard to say, as when PSRPs have been instructed to lie for their bosses. In Michigan, an AFT member refused to falsify documents. And in Louisiana, a principal told a paraprofessional she had to lie or look for another job.
As a member of Red River United, you have the strength and backing of thousands of your peers. This translates into people power and Red River United takes power hungry principals very seriously. For more information on how you can get involved in our campaign to stop professional workplace bullying, email Shannon Sullivan.
You cannot be fired or disciplined for joining a union. Click the button to join now.
View LFT’s Telephone Townhall from Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Learn what happened in this legislative session. Find out how public education fared this year, and what the LFT has planned for the year to come.
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers invited you to participate in a Telephone Townhall on Wednesday, June 12 from 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M.
The one-hour briefing included updates from key LFT leaders on the legislative session that wrapped up June 6. We talked about how public education fared in the legislative session, the status of our challenges to Gov. Jindal’s ill-conceived education “reform” effort, and how we intend to keep fighting for public schools.
The Telephone Townhall took place as Federation activists from around Louisiana gathered in Baton Rouge for the union’s annual Summer Leadership Institute.
We broadcast interactive live coverage of the event through Facebook and UStream. You asked questions of our panelists through e-mail, text, and Twitter.
AFT Disaster Relief
A MESSAGE FROM AFT PRESIDENT RANDI WEINGARTEN
When Mother Nature strikes, the effects can be devastating to entire cities, towns and communities. That is what we saw with the tornadoes that hit Moore, Okla., on Monday. And as we have done so many times, we must mourn those we have lost while, at the same time, trying to put our communities back together.
Our AFT brothers and sisters have been directly affected by this horrific event, and, as a family, we can help. Donate to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund and help AFT members who have had their lives turned upside-down rebuild after tragedy strikes.
I have been in contact with our leadership in Oklahoma. Thankfully, many of our members in the area are safe, but we have not been able to reach everyone. We know of at least one member who has lost a loved one and some who have lost their homes and possessions.
Donating to the Disaster Relief Fund will give direct support to AFT members affected by the storm. Please donate today.
We have seen too many tragedies across this country. From Superstorm Sandy to Newtown, Conn., our members have supported each other in times of need. We are there for each other; we are a family. Let’s lend a helping hand to those affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma.
I’m asking you to join with me in contributing to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund—every contribution makes a difference.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Oklahoma.
In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT President
Most Improved Student Celebration/M.I.S. Awards 2013
The Most Improved Student Celebration/M.I.S. Awards 2013 was a great success. One student from each Caddo Parish School was recognized as the most improved student in the school. Students, their families, teachers, principals, staff, and other school officials shared in the celebration.
Students were chosen by their teachers, counselors, and administrators, because they had shown great improvement over the school year. They may have improved their grade point average in the second semester, or had fewer disciplinary problems, better attendance, or noticeably improved peer relations and respect for others. In each case, it was a remarkable experience for that child.
School Board Meeting Recap
Did you miss the August 20th CPSB meeting? President Jackie Lansdale’s address before the board begins around 01:49:49/02:43:09.
Red River United President Jackie Lansdale attends all school board meetings in BOSSIER and CADDO parishes. Take more action by attending your local school board meetings.
CLICK HERE to access videos of Caddo Parish School Board meetings. Bossier Parish School Board meeting agenda and minutes can be found HERE. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers, our state affiliate, provides representation at all BESE meetings. To access meeting schedules for the Louisiana Board of Secondary and Elementary Education (BESE), CLICK HERE.
DonorsChoose.org
“DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.
Here’s how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class.
Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires you. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school.
You’ll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give over $100, you’ll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students.
At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions. We call it citizen philanthropy.” ~CLICK HERE.
Louisiana Legislative Voting Record 2010
Louisiana House and Senate Voting Records – 2010 Regular Session
Reduction in Work Force
REDUCTION IN WORK FORCE
WHAT CAUSES A REDUCTION IN THE WORK FORCE?
According to Caddo School Board Policy GCPA & GDPA —
· Declining enrollment
· Program changes
· Financial state requiring immediate action
All feasible alternatives to the layoffs of employees (attrition and appropriate reassignment) will be considered prior to the implementation of the Reduction in Force Policy.
WHO GETS TO STAY?
Certified Personnel (teachers) and Classified Personnel (support personnel) with certain certifications, licensures, qualifications, and/or skills necessary to provide a balanced educational program and to maintain and operate the school system will be retained.
HOW DO THEY DECIDE WHO GOES?
Persons employed in the categories designated for reduction shall be reduced by seniority based on the following — in priority order:
· Temporary or provisional employees within the categories of positions being reduced
· Non-tenured employees within the categories being reduced
· Tenured employees within the categories being reduced
· Performance as indicated by observations and evaluations (no evaluations shall be considered which occur after the board votes to begin the reduction in force process)
· Academic preparation, if applicable, within the employee’s field
HOW DO YOU FIND OUT THAT YOU’VE BEEN LAID-OFF?
At least 30 calendar days prior to the layoff date, employees designated for layoff will be notified by certified mail. The notices will include a statement of the conditions requiring layoff and a copy of the Reduction in Force Policy
NOTE:
Employees on Board approved leaves of absence will be treated in the same manner as other regularly employed personnel insofar as application of the Reduction in Force Policy is concerned.
CAN YOU APPEAL?
An employee who receives a layoff notice may file a grievance at Level II. The grievance must be in writing and filed within 10 school days of the date of the employee’s layoff notice. The grievance must specify all grounds on which it is contended that the decision was arbitrary or capricious and must also include a short plain statement of facts that the employee believes will support his/her contention.
Call the Federation for Help 424-4579
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS WHILE YOU ARE LAID-OFF?
Employees placed on layoff may —
· Engage in other employment or become eligible to receive unemployment benefits
· Be eligible for day-by-day substitute work
· Accept an assignment to a lesser position
DO YOU EVER GET TO COME BACK TO WORK?
For 3 years the Board cannot replace an employee who has been laid-off in a particular category, without first offering a position to that employee in the reduced category. Employees who were employed in a temporary position do not have this right. If there is a need for personnel in any category and there are no laid-off personnel on the recall list, any qualified personnel on the recall list may be offered the position on a seniority basis.
Recall offers will be made by certified mail and the employee has 10 calendar days to submit a written acceptance. If the employee fails to accept the offer within the 10 calendar days or rejects the position, the name of the employee will be removed from the recall list.
When you return, it will be at the same tenure status, benefits, and accumulated sick leave that you had the day you were laid-off.
Assault & Battery
Assault & Battery
of a Teacher or School Employee
Louisiana Revised Statues 14:34.3, 14:38.2, 17:416A
According to state law —
“Assault on a school employee means an attempt to commit a battery, or intentionally placing the school employee in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, or making statements threatening physical harm to a school employee.”
The criminal definition of a battery is the intentional use of force or violence upon the person of another; or the intentional administration of a poison or other noxious liquid or substance to another. The civil definition of a battery is physical contact
with out the victim’s consent.
Louisiana Revised Statue 17:416 says that the student formally accused of committing a battery or an assault on any school employees:
Ú Must be suspended immediately and removed from the school premises without benefit of the usual initial suspension procedures.
Ú Cannot be considered for readmission to that school until all hearings and appeals associated with the alleged violations have been exhausted.
Ú After the student is found guilty, the student cannot return to the same school where the employee is located unless it is the only place where he/she can receive services.
What must support personnel do in these circumstances?
1. You must write a referral, which is the formal complaint. You may also press criminal charges, but this is not required.
2. You must turn in an accident report if you were the victim of a battery, or if you suffered emotional trauma if you were the victim of an assault. Be sure to clearly state the nature of the student’s act (such as — “The student punched me (battery),” or “The student committed an assault by making statements threatening me with physical harm (assault).”
3. You should absolutely contact the Federation — 424-4579.
What if you suffer physical or emotional injuries because of the assault or battery?
1. You must receive sick leave without reduction in pay or sick leave days. You must present a certificate from a physician certifying that you are disabled because of the assault or battery.
2. You have the right to press criminal charges against the person who committed the battery or the assault, but you are not required to do so.
3. You have the right to file a civil suit for money damages against the person who committed the assault or battery, (or against the parent / guardian, if the person is a minor). But you are not required to do so.
What if the student is a special education student?
If the student is a special education student, there are state and federal laws and regulations that must be followed. Don’t be discouraged by this, just recognize that it becomes an IEP issue as well as a discipline matter. You still have the right to press criminal charges (unless the child has a disability that prevents him / her from understanding his/ her actions (such as some forms of autism). Call the Federation for help 424-4579.
What if the student is under ten years old?
You may still proceed with suspension and removal from class, but criminal authorities may decide only to prepare a report and not arrest the child.
Need Assistance
Call the Federation
424-4579