Our last Contract Corner of this school year will review the evaluation process so you can be sure everything is in order before the end of the year. So, this week’s Contract Corner will be about the Evaluation Process. Formal observations must be announced and scheduled at a time that works for both the teacher …
Category Archives: Contract Corner
Contract Negotiations
The time frame for teacher contract negotiations are determined by state law. The next HFT contract negotiations will begin in October 2024. To prepare for those negotiations, HFT solicits as much feedback from our members as possible through committee work and member surveys. Committees meet monthly through the end of this school year. Once we …
Extra Pay for Extra Duty
Whenever a teacher is asked to perform extra duty, they are compensated at the extra duty rate of $40 per hour. Extra duties include loss of prep due to class coverage, after-school tutoring, summer school, duties beyond the 225 minutes allowed by contract such as staying after school for late bus pickups, or other time …
Calendar
Before the district-wide school calendar is determined each year, the contract specifies that the HFT President shall receive a draft. Once received, HFT sends it out to all members such that suggestions and comments can be gathered. HFT then shares these suggestions and comments with the district.
Evaluations: Formal Evaluations
Formal observations should occur before February 1. A formal observation requires the educator to complete the pre-observation form which is reviewed during a pre-observation conference. The educator should be given two days’ notice of the pre-conference meeting. After the formal observation, the educator is required to complete the post-observation form and a post-observation conference is …
Annual Posting/Preference Sheets
The contract outlines a process whereby HFT members can request a change of assignment or a voluntary transfer to another building. To change one’s assignment within your current building or program, members must submit a preference sheet. These are submitted around February 1. HFT distributes preference sheets to building reps each year around this time. …
Health and Safety Committee
Each school has a health and safety committee. This committee meets every other month and can include members from other unions. Up to 5 HFT members can sit on this committee, selected by the Union (HFT Building Rep and/or Union School Committee).
Salary Upgrades
Continuing education for HFT members is encouraged and members can apply for a salary upgrade when they have achieved a master’s degree, a sixth-year degree, 60 credits beyond a master’s degree, or a doctorate. Members wishing to apply for a salary upgrade must complete the salary upgrade request form through OTM and attach an official …
Tuition Reimbursement
After completing one year of employment with HPS, HFT members are entitled to tuition reimbursement for their coursework at the rate of $675/credit up to 6 credits per year. Requests for tuition reimbursement must be made within three months of the receipt of the final grade in the course. There is a form to fill …
Schedules: Prep and Duty Time; Duty Free Lunch
All certified staff shall have 225 minutes of preparation time per week, on average. For PreK-6 teachers, 45 minutes of prep can be directed by administration. This is frequently used for team meetings. All other prep is unencumbered. Therefore, it is not insubordinate to say no to a request to utilize your prep time for …
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