B.E.A. Line February 2017

February 2017 Issue

Teacher Quality Fund

Teacher quality money is provided by the state to help provide professional development and training that improves teachers.  One way this can be done is by funding a day of professional development.  Each year,  in the Burlington Community School District, a portion of our TQ funding is set aside for a large scale training.  In the past, this day was held at other venues such as Pzazz or Comfort Suites and a professional speaker was hired to present.  It was always a non-contract day and teachers who attended were paid a per diem stipend. Unfortunately, this year the District chose not to schedule such a day.   This past  fall, BEA surveyed members about reinstating this day.  Eighty-two (82%) percent of respondents were in favor of reinstating it.  The District TQ Committee met and then came up with two possible dates, February 20 or the first day after contract days are complete.   A District survey was then sent to all staff to determine preference of dates and topics.  Attendance,  as always, is optional.  Hopefully the TQ Committee will begin researching presenters and dates for next year.

Did you know there is still TQ money available for training?  Check with your building administrators.  Funds cannot overlap years.  The fiscal year ends June 30.  

School Board Meetings, Budget Cuts, and Surveys

Executive Board Members and Representatives have been covering school board meetings first of all so that we can get the information to you sooner and with more detail.  We have also been attending because since last year, Mr. Coen has been promising budget cuts.  Teaching positions were cut last year and it appears this will occur again this year.  It is true that salaries make up the biggest part of the budget.  Let’s say that 75-80% of the $63 million budget is for salaries.  That means that about 20-25% or about $12 to $16 million of the budget is NOT salaries.  The proposed budget cut  $1.7 million, is about a 2.7% reduction in the $63 million. Surely, at least some of this reduction could occur in the $12-16 million non salary portion of the budget.

At a recent board meeting Mr. Coen presented (and dismissed) some proposed budget cuts from staff.  This information was gathered in a survey that contained questions that are in violation of collective bargaining agreement law.  The BEA had no knowledge of the survey until it was sent to everyone.  However, after receiving it, we recognized the violation.   We don’t know if this was an honest mistake of someone new to education or something more nefarious.  The bottom line is that the administration is paid a large sum of money to be knowledgeable of such laws and to uphold them.

Finally,  this is a call to all members.  It’s time we start showing up at board meetings in solidarity.  We need to make sure the board sees the faces of those directly affected by budget cuts. The next meeting is February 13, 7:00 P.M.

Committee Reports

Governmental Affairs-  No report.

Communication Committee - Keep reading the blog.

Election Committee - Donna Phipps is the new Election Committee Chair.  She is working on getting the spring BEA election up and running

Insurance Committee - The committee has had two meetings with various combinations of Wellmark, the District, and ISEA.  The results of their survey will be posted on the blog soon.

Membership Committee - Thank you to all of our members who made the transitions to EFT during the month of January. We had over 65% of our members on payroll deduction make the switch to EFT with a very short turnaround time.  Everyone that made the switch should have received an email from ISEA to the email that was provided on the enrollment form with your enrollment information.  We will continue to switch people over to EFT the next couple months, ask me (Betsy Wolf)  questions when they arise. Thank you again for making this an easy transition.  

Negotiations Committee -  The Negotiations Committee will open collective bargaining Feb 15th with the District countering with their opening on March 1st.

Social Committee -  There will be a survey soon about meeting and social event preferences.

Teacher’s Rights Committee -  There is one informal grievance at the high school.

Scholarship Committee -  There are a few changes  in the the functioning of the committee.  These changes were presented to the Exec Board and Rep Assembly and voted on and accepted.  The scholarship recipient must be a child of a BEA member, a BHS senior, and intending to enter a education or vocational field that works with children.  The two scholarships are each $500.  The committee chair appoints members to the committee and will review applications in April.

Just One More Thing….

It’s easy to get  sucked into a vortex of doom and gloom.  Christmas vacation is over and spring break seems far away.  Budget cuts are looming and we  worry about having a job or losing a colleague to cuts. Even the weather seems gloomy - no sunshine and no snow to take away the brown drab of winter.  Remember to:

• Take time to find one positive in each day.
• Take time to provide for your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
• Finally, remember to leave work at work.

B.E.A. Notes from 1-23-17 School Board Meeting and Board Retirement figures

January 23, 2017

Board of Education Meeting

I. Call to Order – Welcome 7:04 p.m.

IV. Public Comments

No one here for the public comment

V. Consent Agenda

VI. District Positive Accomplishments- North Hill

Mr. Wagner - PIECES program at North Hill they have expanded their program by a half hour in the morning and fifteen in the afternoon. Now all k-5 can participate. 32 regular attendees Monday thru Friday, some may only come a couple days a week,  90-105 in after school program. The academics have been impacted by a third of the attendees have become proficient if they attended 30 days or more in reading and math areas and these are part of the  daily program. Also some enrichment activities have been done as well. Amazing dedicated staff that make this work!

VII. Student Representative Report

Anna - Career Fair last week a lot of people from the community came in and talk about opportunities and networking opportunities, felt it was a successful day. Started the second semester, strange because we have flip flopped our schedules and and teachers it seems to have gone smoothly. School year is going well, soon we will start to pick our classes for our new trimesters. We don’t have a ton of information as students yet on this and the new classes. Not all teachers can answer all of the questions so we want to see what will happen and what it will look like.

VIII. Superintendent’s Report

Martin Luther King day one of buildings did a great job with an interpretive dance. It’s great to see our students overcome diversity. His midyear evaluation has been shared with board members. Sharon has done a great job of working with administrative team with a flow chart being shared, it’s a vision about of having a profoundly positive impact on the students lives. Started DDMP process for budgetary needs and courses of action with Greg Reynolds. Greater Burlington Chamber meeting gave an update. Grand opening of the second floor of the library. Burlington Chamber meeting about violent crime in Burlington. Round Table at Aldo Leopold - greatest concern budget, cuts, middle school electives and reductions over the years. Attended several games and swim meets. Des Moines county living well meeting at GRMC. Did visit career day at HS the only thing that was disheartening was that parents called in their kids. DE report card came out and we are up at the high school we are going in the right direction and this is a reflection of Mr. Keanes first year. Several of the Elementary schools are up in several areas over the previous school year. Hat is off to the teachers in the rooms everyday and to the admin in the building. Visited Club M, those kids are great it is just as good for the high school mentors as it is for the elementary mentees. Club M is on Wednesdays at 3:30 for an hour at the high school. Was at PD at Corse on Friday and it was good. Admin PD covered flowcharts and the VP of Monmouth College presented something on complex organization with synchronization and communication. Mailed letters to state representatives got a call from governor Branstad's office, may be going to speak with them about issues. Mailed out invites to the Great Prairie legislative meeting coming up.

IX. Items for Discussion

5. State/Condition of North Hill

Mr. Cradic - A great first half of the year, glad to be back at Elementary. Hound time is his favorite half hour of the day. The windert easyCBM scores show that there are fewer kids now who are showing up as at some/high risk. All teachers have now been trained on the Richardson & Battista diagnostic test (except for the ones who have been sick with the nasty bug going around). Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) pizza night with positive male in December. Program is to get positive male role models in the school as volunteers - recess duty, lunch duty, in the halls, in the classrooms, etc. They wear a shirt and they spend the day in the school and are there to participate in all activities. Background check is completed on all of them.  Starting next week Man Club for 4th and 5th grade boys after school. Buddy bench donated by Girl Scouts - to have a spot for kids who are looking for kids to play with to go and meet a buddy. We have a 3rd grade little girl Lilly who was diagnosed with Leukemia on Christmas Eve, stop by and purchase your bracelet and order a t-shirt.

6. Early Retirement Discussion

Jeremy Tabor - gave the board a packet of information to reference to go through the three options. (see attachment). Could not hear Greg speak about the levy rate next year.

Marlis - What is the timeline? - if chosen tonight give to employees this week with a two week turn around. The word discussion on the agenda verses voting item. Coen said they could amend the agenda if they choose. Garwood - last discussion was if they were even going to offer something, but has a lot of information to make a decision tonight. Marlis - any data on the early retirement offering an incentive or would they retire anyway. Reynolds the biggest thing is insurance costs and the average of retires is 62. Marlis - we appreciate our teachers service but we can’t make this a bonus due to it coming from taxes. Hatteberg - the insurance is huge cost it has to be worth it otherwise it is not worth doing at all. Bross - don’t like they got this information tonight but don’t think waiting two weeks would make a difference. Marlis - low payout how long would that last ? For single coverage would cover a couple years. Tabor - low plan was the plan offered last year, medium has been the plan offered historically. Marlis - talking levy cents and possibly raising taxes (very likely this year general fund levy).  I couldn’t follow all of the numbers talk, because it was very hard to hear and follow. Marlis - number eligible 57 some to non-certified . Bross - makes motion to change the agenda to vote Vickstrom second, vote Hatteberg opposed all other aye. Hatteberg - last year that the district did not save money by letting associate early retire. Marlis - are we going to restrict administrators, seniority and a cap on the number that can go. Coen - best interest to have a cap and to go with seniority. Reynolds - cap on the total amount which. Brueck motioned to not offer early retirement second Bross. Garwood - would this effect in making decision in budget. Coen - early retirement could save some jobs and or not have to rehire those positions. Brueck - are these people going to retire anyway? Hatteberg - will never know the decision. Coen - is up to the individual so we don’t age discriminate. Vote on no early retirement two aye, four no - defeated. Hatteberg - all of the average is a two year payout half the first year half the second year? Yes you are correct. Marlis - is their an opinion on the medium/high package - no response. Hatteberg makes a motion to offer the medium package by seniority capped at 10 people or $121,250 whichever comes first. Vickstrom 2nd - Marlis - how is this affecting the general fund if we do this? Reynolds. - give them another $.33 or something like that. Vote - Brueck no all others aye.

7. Job Descriptions for AmeriCorp Club M Support

Tabor - in the agenda posted to the school website. Marlis - Does this cost us any money? No

8. Board Policy 501.12 First Reading

This is a new policy. Brueck - question on the note. Coen - due to sports/PE or other activities so that the school knows to best sevice the students needs. Approved

9. Preliminary Budget Reductions and Deliberate Decision Making Process

Coen - begun visiting schools to explain the budgetary stance. Google survey - Coen feels this is a good thing. The process the cabinet and Coen take the information and present two or three options and information The board can choose some or none of each of the options. The dollar amount is the determining factor of what has to be decided.

X. Board Communications

Bross - Did not make it to the library got a sneak peek the Friday night before during the Girls basketball game. Glad they were able to make a decision on the early retirement.

Hatteberg - Thanks to the admin staff for the information so they can make decisions. Girls won and some are singers.

Vickstrom - tour the library at the basketball game aldo, career day was neat wish there was more people there, need to get out to the families to encourage the to have their kids stay. Send thank yous to the speakers.

Brueck - Pat thanks for the contact information for legislators and wishes it could be put on school website and encourage community members to contact legislators to properly fund education.

Garwood - State of the condition of school is her favorite part of the meetings. Thank you for having an open mind to adjust a program and to benefit the students.

Robberts - north hill lots of enthusiasm, thanks to the teachers that email the board about exciting things happening in the classrooms they really like to hear about those kind of things. Congrats to girls basketball team. Health fair coming up later in the year.

XI. Adjournment  8:43 p.m.

Betsy Wolf

Board Retirement Figures here

State of Iowa School Report Card 2016 posted

The State of Iowa has posted its report cards for the 2016 school year. The results are available here:
Report Card

B.E.A. notes from 1-9-17 BCSD School Board Meeting

January 9, 2017 School Board Meeting

1. Call to Order- Welcome
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Adoption of Agenda  - Changed agenda to put closed session after board communications.
4. Public comments
1. None
5. Consent Agenda
1. Bills, Human Resource Report, and Gifts
6. District Positive Accomplishments - Aldo Leopold Lego Club

Mrs. Salisbury and two Aldo students presented information on the Lego Club.  There were nine students on it.  It's a program where students learn how to program robots that can to complete missions and solve problems that fit a theme.  The Aldo team included one student from Ed Stone.  This year’s theme is different than the previous year.   This year’s theme is Animal Allies.  This team won an award for Core Values - (professionalism, team work, etc).

7. Student Representative Report - no representative present to give a report.  Mr. Keane shared that there was a great jazz concert yesterday.  Beach night occurred last Friday.
8. Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Coen was not present.  Sharon said she and Coen were at the community meeting at Grimes concerning the violence in the community.  She said it was well attended and they are beginning to work on an action plan to address.  Sharon also said that the board members were given a copy of his report.

9. Items for Discussion or Action
1. Review architect request for proposals high school chiller

Mr. Keskerke presented.  Chiller 2 had a high content of ammonia which indicates its deteriorating.  Trane came and checked them out and they can’t be repaired because the parts don’t exist anymore.  He presented the bids on the replacement of the chiller.  There was a vast different in the bids.  Two chillers will be replaced.   The budget is $750,000 for the project.  They are trying to come up with a more energy efficient way to cool the high school.  They are looking at different types of systems to use rather than doing the same system that we have currently.  The timeline  is unknown.  It probably won’t be worked on until next fall.  There is an $18,000 fee from the architects/engineers.  They are going to work with Alliant to try to get some energy saving ideas/rebates.

A motion was made to accept the submission by the engineers and it was passed.

2. Sunnyside State of School Report

Mr. Bolander and his intern, Stacey Hatten (?) presented.  Sunnyside had a proficiency of 83.5% which is above the state average.  She went over the ITBS scores for reading, math, and science for different grades.  They showed the FAST scores for the grades.  This is used to determine intervention.  They have been doing the PCL model for three years.  She went over their data wall at Sunnyside.  They have designed and organized book rooms.  They are proud of the Sunnyside volunteers.  They appreciate the Parade of Excellence.  They have “fabulous staff, students, and parents”.  They have many student activities and awards.  

9.3       Dr. Muhammad Review

Sharon included in the packet an overview of what happened.  She talked about what happened on the days of training including how we change the culture to make it a healthy culture no matter who the administrator is.  Mr. Keane then started talking about it.  He said he thought for the most part, Dr. Muhammad presented things that we already know such as the communication and timeliness issues.  He said that there are people in the building who don’t know other people in the building.  He said the audit showed that we are about in the middle in terms of culture.  He said he learned about it and that the staff learned that they had to take ownership and not wait for the administration to do things.  He found some of a little painful and he got a little defensive but he thought the information was good.  We have implemented a concerns committee to address concerns.  He said that culture at a large high school takes everyone because there is a lot going on.  Communication is a big thing that came of this.  He said  that since the training six different people came to him  with a problem and came up with a solution.  An example,  Mr. Moffitt, condensed his classes so that he could open up a session for students to struggle.  Other teachers have helped out with the lunch.  He felt we have a great group of people at the high school.  We just sometimes disagree with the way to get to where we want to get.   Bross asked if there was going to be a follow up with this.  Mr. Keane said he thought there would be.  He referred to the part when we teachers and administrators were expressing the concerns.  He said we need to have more of that even though it was hard to hear it.  He admitted that there needs to be more open conversation.  The department chairs have helped by organizing the agendas for the meeting.  Garwood - keep the lines of communication and ownership to the building, staff, each other.  Kendell asked for follow up because district invested $35,000 and he wanted to know what we got for our money and what we did with it.  He also wants a follow up report on this in 3-4 months.  Keane said he had worked with Dr. Muhammad previously.  He said a lot of staff members have come and gotten books and read about.  Keane said Muhammad is coming back one more time for the high school.  Sharon said they want to have the same process for the middle schools and elementary but not a three day training.   She said most teachers have bought into the collaboration time   Big item - learning how to manage frustration.  Vickstrom asked how progress can be measured. Sharon - yes (I’m not sure how they plan on doing it).  Keane talked about  how we celebrate and highlight success - use trophy cases to do this.  This is a small thing that can be done and helps.  Vickstrom asked what our reference point for measuring improvement was.

Keane - the audit that Muhammad did.  

3. Review of Equity Report

Tabor - The DE did an audit focussed on career/tech education.  We have a lot of disparity with groups.  The audit looked at our compliance with various titles.  The report was over 21 pages long.  Positives - 504, title 9 training ok., stereotypes not perpetuated by promotional materials.

Recommendations from the DE:  do a better job of researching technology for ELL students, Google technology isn’t the best tool for this. Change course descriptions for CTE (we have discriminatory language restricting access to the classes).  We need to develop a policy for equal access for pregnant students, make a written plan for how students access HS facilities by students with disabilities (has) - not much to be done without major changes to the facility.  Develop a procedure review for the electronic IEP and training to staff.  Must provide response to audit team.

Kendell asked if there was anything unexpected in the audit.  Tabor said the course description finding was.   Staff were interviewed by DE?

4. BHS Update - trimesters, curriculum schedule

Sharon said there was a packet of stuff.  Curriculum work - went over what power standards are and talked about the inservice we had about developing curriculum.  It is a lot work.  This is not something that is expected to be done this year and that is continually looked at and developed.  They aren’t all designed and the process has been clarified.  Keane - Concerns about being year long.  Some core subjects have come up with electives that allow for a full year of learning.  Referenced the science department (because I am here? ).  The English department has differentiated some of their classes.  He has encouraged the math department to add more practical classes.  Practical Geometry - how do you use geometry in real life.  CTE have created some capstone classes for seniors and will be multiple period that extend all year.  Art has added an art appreciation class.  Music appreciation has been added.  There is a four year plan that has the required classes .  The junior and senior year allow a lot of time for electives and taking a variety of classes.  The first two years are more restricted than the last two years.  The first couple of pages are a bell schedule.   He said the lunches were too long and he will present two variations to the department chairs Wednesday.  He talked about Hound Room and how it isn’t working for us.  He is proposing a 50 minute Hound Room for Wednesday instead of having it every day.   He thought the department chairs were in favor of this.  Sharon said it works with the SCC Steps for Success (Wacky Wednesday).  There will be no more A/B days.  Vickstrom asked about the impact trimesters has  on staffing.  Keane said he won’t know until the course registration.  There could be some staff reduction.  He thinks the majority of the kids will not be in study hall.   Vickstrom asked if there be recertification necessary.  Keane - No.  We have well certified teachers.  

Kendell likes trimesters because kids can get caught up.  Can students use 3rd trimester to get caught up?  Keane - Yes, a kid can take 1st trimester again in the 3rd trimester.  We will also try to get a different delivery method for kids who don’t succeed.  Sharon - 8th graders could be put into a skills class to strengthen skills before putting them into an academic class.  For example they might not jump into algebra first trimester but might be in it by second trimester.  Kendell - are we going to work with 8th grade counselors to let them know what is going on?  Keane - yes we will be more involved in the process of getting 8th graders scheduled.  Middle school has used Naviance well.  Videos for the 8th grade will be made.  A 9th grade transition class will be required for all incoming freshman. Some students will be able to opt out. This will include how to organize themselves and work with others etc.  There is a class called topics in math to expose students to all types of math.   January 18 and 20 - staff training. Registration gets underway on January 23 using Naviance.   There are 53 speakers lined up for the Career Fair.  Several are non-traditional career presenters. Vickstrom - how much is going to the community to explain the processes?  Keane- Promotional materials will be put out.  Brueck - Who teaches the transition classes?  Keane - Freshman classes, it will be put up for those who want to do it.  Hope to get people from each department.  Hatteburg - Transition course has to be written yet?  Keane - yes.  Some of it was piloted with the 8th grade over the summer.  Bross - AG class in course catalog?  Keane - Mediapolis will allow us to send students to AG I class.  We are getting a number kids from other districts for the building and trades program.  West Burlington - has civic engineer class - our kids can take it.  Bross - Have we coordinated schedules with other schools?  Have we coordinated with SCC?  How is trimesters going to work with them?

Keane - Talked to all of them.  Some schools changed their schedules to meet our project lead the way classes.  SCC is looking at blocking some class in the morning.  Once registration numbers are in, more meetings will occur.  We have to take care of BHS kids first.  Making every effort to align schedules.

5. Board Communications

Vickstrom - nothing.   Brueck - good luck to students with final.  Hatteberg - accepted two month substitute job.  She appreciates what teachers do every day.  Bross - thanked Sharon for participating in the citywide crime meetings.  Comment on cost per pupil was incorrect because we provide many more services than other districts.  Garwood - thank you Sharon for stepping in and conducting the meeting.  Thank you Mr. Keane for the information, time and hardwork, dedication.  Good luck on finals.  Kendell - Wish students well with semester finals.  Stay healthy.  Try to avoid the bug that is going around.  Appreciate the sunnyside and Aldo presentations.

6. Closed Session for re-admission
6. Adjournment

T.Q. Master's Discussion survey results

118 people responded to the recent B.E.A. survey about T.Q. money and master's degrees. Here were the questions and how people responded.

Question 1: Are you in favor of  using TQ funds to pay for select master’s degrees so they can teach college-credit classes at the high school?

Yes, if it is open to all teachers in the district and the lane change is allowed.- 41 respondents (35%)
Yes, if it is open to all teachers in the district, even if lane change is not allowed. - 9 (7.7%)
No, it should not be restricted to only certain master degrees. - 46 (39.3%)
Other- 28 (23.9%)
Other responses included-

• It should not be used for master degrees, 
• It is not fair to all teachers in the district, TQ money should not be used to pay teachers to go back to school to get their Masters! 
• Let's higher teachers, pay for them to get their Masters and then they leave our district. Will these teachers be required to sign a contract and stay in our district for so many years? How is that fair that we would pay for only high school teachers? 
• People pay for these themselves
• NO because I think it's crap for those of us who worked hard for ours and had to pay for it.
• No, this should be a training to support district intiatives
• No, people that hold Master degrees have paid for it out of their own pockets
• I don't understand. We don't pay for master's degrees. they just get lane changes. Not fair to those that have master's degrees already.
• not used at all - unless reimbursing teachers who have already paid for and gotten their Master degrees.
• what about paying for classes to complete an endorsement to teach in the district?
• No. A lot of teachers already have Master's Degrees which we paid for ourselves, and not everyone is available or cares to teach at high school and/or college level.
• No, this is not a fair and equitable use of distributing the TQ funds. What about elementary/MS level teachers?hers
• No, pay us our extra days pay.
• Only if they sign and agree to stay at teach in Burlington for a certain amount of time.
• I dont think the district should pay for teachers to get their masters degree
• I am not sure how I feel about this... I am on the fence.
• It should be open to anyone wanting to take a credit in anything that will make them a better teacher. I don't want a masters, but I would like the same opportunity if I wanted to attend a conference or take classes to get an endorsement.
• How will this affect Elementary teachers? Will they be allowed to take content area classes if they so choose? And, will they be allowed to do this during the work day? Will they get paid to take these classes? Will the credits earned go toward their lane changes? My list can go on and on.
• NO, other teachers with masters paid out of pocket.
•  Not fair to those that already have their masters.
• limiting to certain masters degrees is okay, but open it up to everyone with the lane change allowed.
• It shouldn't be used for classes and lane changes that is double dipping.

Question 2: Are you in favor of using TQ funds to pay for ANY college credit teachers take that help improve instruction or obtain re-licensure?

Yes, if it open to all teachers in the district and the lane change is allowed.- 58 respondents (49.2%)
Yes, if it is open to all teachers in the district, even if lane change is not allowed- 17 (14.4%)
No, this money should not be used for this.- 34 (28.8%)
Other- 9 (7.6%)-
Other responses included-

• If it is a class to obtain your masters.
• TQ money needs to be spent for professional development!
• No. I feel like it will favor only certain teachers/degrees even if it officially says it will not.
• We need more time within our own buildings. Each should pay for their own schooling (as most of us did), receive the lane change, and use the monies for current updating!!!!
• No, unless I am reimbursed for the monies I paid to get my college credits; and if we extend lane changes because I am at the top of mine.
• I think it should be based on an area that could help them with their jobs.
• Again, I am on the fence. It would be beneficial for many teachers, but what about the teachers that are topped out? What is in it for them? Especially if they do not use the money to assist with further education.
• Looking at the question below, and reading more into the plan...It seems that this is geared toward the High School staff. Again, we are disseminating the differences between Secondary and Elementary.

Question 3- In order for elementary people to take advantage of the Coen Plan, they would have to bid into open positions at the high school. You would also need to make sure you are certified to teach at the high school level. If you are an elementary teacher, would you be interested in teaching at the high school?

Very likely- 1 respondent (0.9%)
Somewhat likely-  3 (2.7%)
Not likely- 23 (20.4%)
Never- 30 (26.5%)
I am not an elementary teacher- 56 (49.6%)

Question 4- Were you aware that TQ funds were available for conference attendance and other training opportunities?

Yes, and I have used this.- 50 respondents (42.7%)
Yes, but I have never used this.- 25 (21.4%)
No, I was not aware of this. - 42 (35.9%)

Question 4- Have you asked to attend training and been turned down by an administrator or someone at the admin building?

Yes- 11 respondents (9.3%)
No- 107 (90.7%)

Question 5- Are you in favor of people receiving a district-paid degree and changing lanes on the salary schedule?

Yes, if the opportunity is open to all teachers and open to all advanced educational degrees.- 52 (44.1%)
Yes, if the opportunity is open to all teachers and restricted to selected degrees. - 7 (5.9%)
No, it is unfair to those teachers who have already paid for their degrees. - 46 (39%)
No - 9 (7.6%)
Other - 4 (3.4%)
Other responses included-

• The district should not be spending their money to assist teacher's going back to college. If I go to the high school, take advantage of getting more education, do I have to commit to staying in this district? I hope the BEA is 100% against this idea. TQ money should be for PD not someone's PHD!
• mixed feeling, i could go either way.
• I don't like it because it is not fair to all teachers. However, if it went through, I would like it to include endorsements.

Question 5- In the past all teachers in the district received a day of pay by attending a district-wide workshop. Would you be in favor of using the money that way?

Yes- 96 respondents (82.1%)
No- 9 (7.7%)
Other- 12 (10.3%)
Other responses included-

• Only if it's relevant and not redundant.
• I don't want mandatory group training.
• If the training was something beneficial.
• Try to do grade level meetings, department meetings, and other types of building things.
• Depends on what the workshop is and whether it was beneficial.
• Not whole group. Too distracting. Smaller group sessions appropriate. Elementary, Middle, HS 
• I think the money could be used to help teachers pay for a PD course(s) and also for district-wide workshops. It would be nice if the TQ money isn't limited to just one option. District-wide PD is also important.
• Yes, as long as the PD is top notch. Last year was a waste of money for the district. However, it was an easy day of pay for the teachers. 
• If we do that again, I would like it to be valuable and not a waste of time.
• A day of pay if it's per-idiom or compensation time since this has been offered to the high school staff just recently. This would be the choice of the employee at that time.
• if we are already gettting paid for it why use TQ funds?
• Yes, but if it came to how I would prefer money to be spent I would most like to be able to get a research based curriculum for elementary special education.