Staff members are encouraged to provide feedback to their RPC and to send questions to comms@aea11.k12.ia.us.
Q: Why was this communication made via email?
A: We believed email would be an effective way to
communicate the message to all impacted staff so people could dialogue with RPC
members prior to their October meetings. We thought this would help have
informed conversations at the RPCs throughout the month of October.
Q: Is the HEA bargaining team in the conversation? Does
this have to be approved by the HEA?
A: The HEA bargaining team, as such, has not met with agency
representatives as bargaining has not begun. However, this message was shared
with the HEA Collaboration Team the morning of 9/25 prior to it being sent to
staff. Contract length does not require HEA approval.
Q: What data were used to make this decision?
A: Last year several of the RPCs submitted their thoughts. People felt
that use of addendum days was too much of an unknown. Supplemental contracts
provide a predictable method for staff to know the total number of workdays
when setting their annual calendar.
Q: What is a supplemental contract? How is the issue of
continuing contracts being addressed?
A: Supplemental contracts are governed under Chapter 279 like current
contracts. We have intentionally selected the use of supplemental contracts as
they provide more stability for staff than reliance on addendum days.
Supplemental contracts are frequently used in school settings for positions
that routinely have an extended contract, i.e., counselors, fine arts
directors, coaches, etc.
It is anticipated full-time staff will be offered a 192 day contract and
where applicable, a supplemental contract for X number of days.
Any staff member who experiences a reduction in the total number of
contract days from one year to the next is entitled to the due process afforded
by the continuing contract provisions of Chapter 279.
Management has reviewed this process with the HEA collaboration team and
will continue to work with them to address the transition process and any
questions that arise regarding continuing contracts.
Q: If this decision was not driven by finances, what was
the driver?
A: As a service agency, our work changes to reflect changes in needs by
the families, children and schools with whom we work. We believe we can
maximize agency flexibility in meeting these needs (various professional
learning needs, year round schedules, etc.) through use of a standard contract
length along with supplemental contracts for recurring needs and addendum days
for occasional/special cause needs.
Q: Who decides the length of an individual staff member’s
contract? Which staff members will experience the greatest impact? What would
this look like for them?
A: Staff and supervisors will have input, and APC members will make final
decisions.
Established criteria will be used to review Certified contracts. A
recommendation for change, where needed, will be brought to the APC for
consideration.
It is anticipated that some staff will be asked to accept supplemental
contracts that extend the number of current workdays and some staff will be
recommended for a reduced number of workdays. In any situation that a staff
member is recommended for a change in contract length, a planned transition
process will be considered.
The contract discussion will be considered for individual employees and
will be reviewed considering needs across the Agency, not a single region where
one’s supervisor is located.
Q: If a staff person is moved to a contract of fewer days,
will there be pressure for him or her to work addendum days?
A: We will work to address known workload through regular and
supplemental contracts. Addendum will be used as needed for additional work
such as special projects, unanticipated needs, short-term needs, etc.
Q: Are contract length decisions revisited yearly?
A: The supplemental contract carries the continuing contract rights as
the base contract, and we anticipate they will remain in place until there is a
significant change in need or issues with the support.
Our agency strives to maximize its resources as we experience changing
financial and legislative landscapes. We want to be as flexible as we can to
meet changing needs among those we serve, and APC has a budget process it uses
annually to set priorities and align resources.
Q: When will people know what their contract length will
be?
A: By mid January 2013.
Q: Has payroll worked out the problem of going without a
paycheck or two or three when shifting from a 210-day to a 192-day contract?
A: Any changes to a reduced number of contract days will be handled individually
with impacted staff based on three options developed last year.
Q: Are you saying there will no longer be part-time (96-day
contract) staff? Will all staff need to be at least 192 days?
A: No, we will still utilize part-time contracts.
