The NC 25% Contracts

DECLINE TO SIGN

Before We Get Started

• Many of you probably know some of the following info, but you might not know all of it.

• The purpose of this presentation is to get all of us to the same level of understanding so we can move forward together!

You’ve Probably Heard

2012 NEA Projections: • Only three states spend less on school children than NC (AZ, TX, & UT), according to the per pupil expenditure of each state.* • Only three states spend less on teachers than NC (MS, OK, & SD) according to the average teacher salary of each state*.

*Source:

NEA Ranking & Estimates

(page 67)

But Did You Know?

• During the 2013 summer session of the NC Legislature (General Assembly) NC’s public schools took a big hit!

– The elimination of class size caps for Grades 4-12 continued – $10 million of taxpayer money was diverted into private schools through a voucher program – For the 5 th year in a row, teachers would not receive a pay step increase.

There’s More… They Also

– Eliminated the financial incentive for teachers to earn a Master’s Degree – Eliminated funding for 3,800 Teacher Assistants – Eliminated the highly successful NC Teaching Fellows program – Increased tuition by 12.3% in UNC schools as well as student fees

They Didn’t Stop There

• They also rewrote the laws regarding public school teachers’ Due Process Rights and contracts in order to significantly weaken your job security!

During This School Year Only

• All NC School Boards must decide which 25% of teachers will get a “special offer.”

25%

The Offer

• Depending on available funding*, the teachers who are selected will be offered a 4-year contract that includes a $500 bonus, compounded each contract year.

*enough money was not allocated for 25% of NC teachers to receive this bonus the 1st year & none was for the 2 nd -4 th years

The Catch

• By accepting this bonus, teachers forfeit their Due Process rights and will no longer have Career Status!

Teachers Who Accept This Deal

• Will lose the bonus and contract if they transfer to a new school district • Will return to their salary minus the bonus money when the contract ends in 2018 • Become subject to first-year teacher employment provisions

And…

• Even while under contract, any rating below “proficient” on any standard of a summative evaluation is automatic grounds for dismissal!

• There will be NO system for disputing these evaluations!

• If the NCAE wins its lawsuit, teachers who already forfeited Career Status will not get it back!

If the Contract Is Not Renewed When it Expires

• The employee: – won’t have to be notified until June 1 st (moved from May 15 non-renewal.

th ).

– won’t have the right to know the reasons for – won’t have the right to a school board hearing.

– won’t have the right to a neutral fact finder in dismissal hearings.

– won’t have ANY recourse to appeal this decision!

Meanwhile

• Teachers who refuse the 25% Contract will retain Career Status*, which means:  They retain all Due Process job protections currently outlined in NC General Statute 115C-325.

*unless the NCAE wins its current lawsuit and/or this law is changed, all NC teachers will lose Career Status on 7/1/2018.

But What About the Money?

Uncertainty

• The NCGA has not allocated enough bonus money for the 1st year.

• No bonus money has been allocated for the 2 nd 4 th years.

• Local districts may refuse to fund bonuses for local and federally-funded positions.

Unless The NCAE Wins Its Lawsuit and/or this Law Is Changed

• On July 1, 2018, NC teachers will lose their Due Process Rights (Career Status), which currently protect teachers from arbitrary or politically motivated termination.

• That is why it is so important that we get active!

What Can You Do?

• If you’re not a member of the NCAE, please join and help us fight against this demoralizing law!

• Urge your school board to pass a resolution in opposition to this law!

• Plan a school-wide activity for the Statewide Day of Action on Feb 5!

• Download all of the materials you need at

ncae.org/decline2sign

• Sign the petition to increase student funding & teacher pay at

organize2020.com/take-action

Feb. 5 Statewide Day of Action

How the teachers at your school can participate: • All teachers WEAR RED and use social media to post pictures of them holding a sign that includes “#Decline2Sign” and your school’s name & city, and then tag the photo with “#Decline2Sign” • Ask every faculty member to add their name to the “Decline to Sign Pledge” against signing a 25% Contract • Ask every member of your faculty to sign a letter to your school board, urging them to pass a resolution to the General Assembly in opposition to this policy