THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701180361
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALETA PAYNE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 67 lines
Leaders of the Virginia Beach Education Association have called on all non-administrative employees to rally before the School Board meets on Tuesday and then to attend the meeting en masse.
In a letter sent out earlier this week, VBEA president Melody Copper cites a number of issues that reflect ``a disturbing trend in the past year towards treating teachers, and indeed all employees, with a lack of respect.'' Among the concerns cited:
The proposed addition of two instructional days to next year's calendar and the loss of three half-days of professional development and planning time for elementary and middle school teachers.
Adoption of a policy which requires school employees to report to the superintendent if they are charged with a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, sexual or physical abuse of a child or drug-related offense whether they have gone to trial, been convicted or not.
Tensions in the contract negotiation process between the VBEA and district administration.
A suggestion by board member Dan Arris last fall that the division consider pursuing changes in state tenure law. The board as a whole showed little support for the idea, however. He later requested instead that the board look into strengthening the internal teacher evaluation process.
In an interview Friday, Copper also expressed concerns about a proposed funding formula being considered by city officials because it has the potential to harm public education if revenue proves inadequate.
The VBEA represents more than 3,800 of the district's teachers, nurses, teacher assistants, custodians, interpreters, psychologists, social workers and visiting teachers.
Copper said employees are dealing with many issues coming from several different directions.
``I'm hearing frustration from the teachers and employees in general,'' Copper said. ``It's like what else can they do to us now?''
Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney said Friday that the increasingly adversarial tone of the VBEA's efforts is similar to that used by groups trying to build membership.
``I don't think we've been disrespectful at all. Everything's been done in the open, in advance, in a representative manner,'' he said. ``There have been no surprises. No one's been ambushed.''
The calendar proposal came from a committee that included parents, VBEA representatives, a board member and others. The bulk of the committee favored extending the school calendar by two days which, if not used for inclement weather, would add to the division's instructional year. In addition, the majority of the committee's members supported deleting three half days which elementary and middle school teachers have traditionally used to complete report cards, work on records and the like.
The board has not said whether employees will be paid for the two additional days. However, the contract provides for up to 10 additional days of work without pay.
Joy Atkinson, who teaches at Woodstock Elementary School, said she relies on the half-days to get report cards and other records ready.
``I cannot sit (students) down with busy work. I'm not that kind of teacher,'' she said. Atkinson said she feels the tension between teachers and the district's leadership.
Board member Arris said he was distressed by the VBEA mailing.
``It's kind of a you-against-us letter,'' he said.
If a large number of employees perceive that they are not respected, that needs to be dealt with, he said. ``I have more respect for the teachers and the teaching process every day I'm on the school board.''