Decline to Sign

The NC 25%

Contracts

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 Heard2012 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 its 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 5th 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 2nd-4th 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 a summative evaluation is automatic grounds for dismissal!

• There is 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 1st (moved from May 15th).

– won’t have the right to know the reasons for non-renewal.

– 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 2nd - 4th 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 2/5!

• 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 ActionHow the teachers at your school can participate:•All teachers WEAR RED and use social media to post pictures of your colleagues holding a sign that includes #Decline2Sign, your school name, and city, and then tag the photo with “#Decline2Sign”•Ask every member of your faculty to sign the pledge to “Decline to Sign” a 25% Contract if it is offered•Ask every member of your faculty to sign a letter to your school board urging them to pass a resolution to the General Assembly opposing this policy