The Advocate - March 20, 2019

1. President's Message: We Won't Stand for More Cuts
2. Staffing Process Update for the 2019-2020 School Year
3. Workload Overage Pay
4. Rally for Schools and Students, March 21^st, PCC-Cascade
5. April 10^th: Take it to the MAX!
6. Join the Bargaining Committee!
7. PAT PAC Endorsements
8. Music and Arts Grants Available from California Casualty

Download the PDF!

Yes, it just got worse.

Did you think education funding was at a breaking point before this legislative session? Were you ready to do everything possible to fight for full funding of our schools?

Unfortunately, the crisis just got worse, and we need to do more. Much more.

On March 19^th, PAT representatives met with the District to review unassignments.  Prior to that meeting, PAT analyzed each of the 125 unassignments to ensure they were done in compliance with the contract. 

An unassignment is NOT a layoff.  Instead, the educator will be reassigned to another site for the 2019-2020 school year by applying to available vacant positions. Vacancies will be posted in the Internal transfer process from April 1 – 5, with interviews occurring April 8 – 12.  Contract educators, 3^rd year probationary educators, and unassigned 1^st and 2^nd year probationary educators are eligible to apply for vacancies in the Internal transfer process.  No external applicant may be considered for a subject area until all unassigned current educators are assigned.

Unassigned educators may learn more about the process and ask questions at these PPS informational meetings:  Wednesday, March 20^th at 5:00 PM (BESC, Wy’East on L1) and Thursday, March 21^st at 4:30 PM (BESC, Wy’East on L1).

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the process are here:  FAQ#1 – Unassignments & Transfers and FAQ#2 – Applying & Interviewing for Positions.

Article 8 in the 2016-2019 PAT Agreement has language that defines workload “thresholds” for class-size, teaching load, caseload, and the number of unique course preparations. This language requires overload pay for educators whose workload exceeds those thresholds. Overage pay for the second semester is based on workload levels on Tuesday, February 19^th.

If you are due workload overage pay for second semester, you should expect to receive overage pay in a separate check on March 29^th. You should not need to take any action to get your overage pay, as the District determines overage payments based on information in Synergy and with corroboration from building administrators. However, if you do not receive the overage pay you deserve on your March paycheck, you need to fill out this form created by PPS Human Resources.

In case evidence is needed, continue to save screenshots of your class lists and/or course lists on Synergy from February 19^th.

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means is holding a public hearing on their proposed budget in the Moriarty Arts Humanities Building (MAHB) at PCC-Cascade, (705 N. Killingsworth St.). The Ways and Means budget slashes Oregon school funding by an additional $100 million dollars, and under-funds the QEM by over $2 billion in the coming biennium. In crafting this proposal they have ignored their own recommendations and the voices of educators from around the state.

Let's make sure they get the message loud and clear, that enough is enough and they need to fully fund education in Oregon. Join together in front of the student union building with educators, students, and community members as we rally together and share our stories.

The rally starts at 4:15 PM on Thursday, March 21^st. Plan to stay for the hearing after the rally!

More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/307866836577829/

Please join us on Wednesday, April 10^th for another action to fight for fully funded schools: Take it to the MAX! We are meeting in Pioneer Courthouse Square from 4:45 PM - 5:30 PM. Educators from all over the metro area will be riding the max there to gain visibility, and use that time to write to legislators. Wear Red.

Sign up here.

In preparation for our next round of bargaining with the District, PAT is recruiting members to serve on our Bargaining Committee. The Bargaining Committee will be a larger group than the Bargaining Team, and will likely require less time than serving on the Bargaining Team. Members of the Bargaining Committee can expect to meet regularly, beginning this spring, while PAT is developing bargaining proposals, and throughout the bargaining process.

This week, the Portland Association of Teachers PAC Board will be completing the process of interviewing and vetting candidates for the Portland School Board, and making endorsements in each Zone. For the PAT PAC, this is our most important race, as School Board decisions directly affect our working conditions, our students’ experiences, and the functionality of the District. There will be four seats up for election this May.

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant was established to provide support for K-12 public schools negatively impacted by reduced budgets. California Casualty understands the importance of music and arts education for children. As a member of the Portland Association of Teachers and our statewide union, the Oregon Education Association, you can apply for a $250 grant award for a music or art need at your school.

 The California Casualty Music and Arts Grant program will consider grant requests for public K-12 schools whose music and arts programs are in jeopardy or in great need of funding. Requests will also be considered for individual classrooms wishing to integrate music and/or arts projects within school curriculum.

The deadline is June 30 for grant requests to be considered for the fall of the next school year. All grants will be notified of their status by September 30.

For more information about the California Casualty Music and Arts Grant or to apply online, go to: CalCasMusicArtsGrant.com or email [email protected].