Oklahoma City Public Schools, Oklahoma

Compensation - Fringe Benefits questions

Health and Wellness
What is the maximum portion of the employee's health insurance premium paid by the employer?	100% p. 2 (pdf). p. 58, Art. XV.
What is the maximum portion of the employee's dependents' health insurance premium paid by the employer?	not specified; district provides a chart listing the employee contributions (the district provides $526.88 per month towards insurance) While it's not specified, it seems likely that the employee premium amounts listed for spouse, child and children is in addition to the premium listed for members p. 2 (pdf). p. 58, Art. XV.
Does the employer specify a dollar cap for the portion of the premium they cover? If so, what is the cap?	yes, teachers enrolled in the district's health insurance plan receive $526.88 per month ($6,322.60 annually) towards health insurance in calendar year 2016; and in calendar year 2017 teachers receive $571.04 per month ($6,852.50 annually) p. 58, Art. XV.
Pensions/Retirement
Are there incentives for a teacher to take early retirement?	Yes , teachers targeted for reduction by formal announcement of the Superintendent who submit resignation by the designated deadline will receive a bonus of 20% of his/her base salary p. 70, Art. XV, Sec. 3.D.
By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire?	resignation: within 15 days of the 1st Monday of June; retirement: issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents Board Policy G-57: http://www.okcps.org/Page/255
Does the district offer an incentive to the teacher who notifies the district before the deadline that he/she intends to resign/retire at the end of the school year?	Yes , teachers who give resignation notice by November 1 are compensated for all sick days in excess of 181 p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.6.
Is there a penalty for a teacher who fails to notify the district that he/she intends to resign/retire by the district's deadline?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports that they may hold credentials for up to one school year and forbid teachers from teaching in another district within the state during that time period.
Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much?	Yes $10-$20/day (based on years in district) up to 181 days; days in excess of 181 are compensated at a rate of $35/day if teacher submits notice before the deadline Retiring teachers are reimbursed at a rate of $10.00/day for 1-7 years in the district, $12.00/day for 8-12 years in the district, $14.00/day for 13-17 years in the district, $16.00/day for 18-22 years in the district, $18.00/day for 23-26 years in the district, and $20.00/day for 27 or more years in the district. A teacher may also receive compensation upon retirement for unused sick days. The District agrees to compensate for all accumulated days in excess of one hundred eighty-one (181) (or the equivalent of one [1] full year of sick leave on the employee’s schedule) at the rate of $35.00 per day, provided that the teacher submits, prior to November 1 of the current year, a signed resignation effective at a date no later than the end of the current contract year. p. 71, Art. XV, Sec. 3.F & p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.6.
Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at retirement? How much?	Personal leave converts to sick leave. p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.D.
Tuition Reimbursement
Is tuition reimbursement offered to teachers?	Yes p. 71, Art. XV, Sec. 3.E.
Can a teacher receive financial support to cover National Board certification fees?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports that they do no provide additional funding, but the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation allows teachers to apply for grants to cover the cost of NBCT certification.

Calendar questions

School Year
STUDENTS: How many days are students in school?	174 Article VI of the contract states that the school calendar shall consist of 176 instructional days; there is a discrepancy between policy and practice.
STUDENTS: How many hours, minimum, are students scheduled to be in school each year?	Elementary: 1,044 (total); middle & secondary: issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents State law requires a minimum of 6 hours per day of supervised school activities for elementary schools. Calculated based on 174 student days in a school year. p. 27, Art. VI, Sec. 6.C.2.
TEACHERS: How many days are teachers in school?	182 Past Policy 181 Past Policy 181 Past Policy 181 Past Policy 181 Past Policy 181 Past Policy 181
TEACHERS: How many days is the teacher required to be on-site without students? (including half or partial days)	8 Past Policy 7 Past Policy 7 Past Policy 7 Past Policy 7 Past Policy 7 Past Policy 8
School Day
How long is the school day for elementary students?	district acknowledges state law, minimum 6 hours (total) p. 27, Art. VI, Sec. 6.C.2.
How long is the school day for secondary students?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports that the school day is 6 hours (minimum). No citation provided or found (June 2015).
How long is the scheduled workday for teachers? (total time scheduled on-site, including lunch)	7 hours, 30 minutes p. 79, App. C.
How much time is the teacher required to be on-site beyond the length of the student day? (This does not include time for meetings)	elementary schools, and middle schools: 40 minutes (20 minutes before and 20 minutes after the student day); middle/high schools, and high schools: 40 minutes (25 minutes before and 15 minutes after the student day) p. 26, Art. VI, Sec. 6.A.
Preparation Time
How much planning time does an elementary teacher receive?	elementary: 3 hours, 20 minutes per week; middle: 1 instructional class period a day Elementary planning time to be distributed in blocks of at least 30 minutes per day. p. 27, Art. VI, Sec. 6.C & D.
How much planning time does a secondary teacher receive?	at least 55 minutes per day; teachers on a 4 block schedule shall be scheduled for 1 instructional period a day; teachers on extended time-block scheduling shall be scheduled for a minimum of 275 minutes per week over a two-week time period p. 27, Art. VI, Sec. 6.E.
How much teacher planning time is designated for collaborative planning?	issue not addressed in the scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports that collaborative planning time varies from school to school. No citation provided or found (June 2015).

Class Size questions

Class Size Restrictions
What are the class size restrictions?	PreK: 20; K: 26; 1-3: 28; 4-6: 31; middle & secondary: 30;
What happens when the class size limit is exceeded?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents

Compensation - Salary questions

Structure of the Salary Schedule
What type of salary schedule is in use?	Traditional salary schedule (step and lane) p. 1 (pdf).
What is the average percent increase in pay earned for each additional year of experience?	1.8%
Teachers in most districts earn a raise for each additional year of experience and an annual adjustment for cost of living and other factors. What is that average annual adjustment? (reported as a percentage of change from the previous year)	-1.7% Past Policy 0.7% Past Policy 1.5% Past Policy 0.1% Past Policy 2.14% Past Policy 0.24%
What is the average total change in salary accounting for both earning an additional year of experience and an annual adjustment for cost of living and other factors? (reported as the percentage of change from the previous year)	0% Past Policy 2.5% Past Policy 3.4% Past Policy 2.0% Past Policy 4.28% Past Policy 2.28%
What is the average difference between the master's and bachelor's salary?	$1,536 Past Policy $1,556 Past Policy 1,555 Past Policy 1,529 Past Policy 1,510 Past Policy 1,505 Past Policy 1,460
How many lanes (or columns) based on advanced degrees or credit attainment are on the teacher's salary schedule?	5: BA, BA+15, MA, MA+30, PhD
In what year of service will a teacher with a bachelor's and/or master's degree reach the maximum salary (assuming no step freezes)?	22 Past Policy 21 Past Policy 21 Past Policy 20 Past Policy 19 Past Policy 19 Past Policy 19
Annual Salary
What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a bachelor's degree?	$34,000
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience?	$35,270 Past Policy $35,460 Past Policy $35,400 Past Policy 34,675 Past Policy 34,675 Past Policy 33,875 Past Policy 33,875
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?	$49,775
What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a master's degree?	$35,100
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree and 5 years of experience?	$36,270 Past Policy $36,460 Past Policy $36,400 Past Policy 35,675 Past Policy 35,675 Past Policy 34,875 Past Policy 34,875
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?	$51,775
What is the maximum annual salary available to teachers? What are the education requirements for this salary? In what year of service will a teacher receive this salary?	$53,425; PhD; 22 Past Policy $53,425; PhD; 21 Past Policy $52,925; PhD; 21 Past Policy 52,325; PhD; 20 Past Policy 51,725; PhD; 19 Past Policy 51,025; PhD; 19 Past Policy 50,175; PhD; 19
Performance Pay
Is annual salary increase tied to evaluation rating?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
If an annual salary increase is tied to evaluation rating, how do annual salary increases work?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Aside from annual salary increases, are other aspects of a teacher’s pay based on evaluation rating?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Do teachers earn performance pay for factors other than evaluation ratings?	yes; Advanced Placement teachers earn bonuses of $500 for each student that scores a 3, 4 or 5; IB teachers earn bonuses of $100-$300 for each student earning a score of 4 or higher on the exam or a Grade C or above on the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge portion of the exam p. 74, Art. XV, Sec. 7.B.2 & 3.
Other Differentiated Pay
Can a teacher earn additional pay by working in a school classified as "high-needs"?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports teachers do not earn additional pay.
Can a teacher earn additional pay by teaching subjects deemed 'hard to staff'?	yes, special education teachers are paid on a separate, higher salary schedule p. 59, Art. XV.
Can a teacher who has National Board certification earn additional pay?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents Past Policy no, stipend pay provision expired on June 30, 2013; however, teachers are able to apply for a $5,000 bonus from the state p. 76, App. E. Past Policy no, stipend pay provision expired on June 30, 2013; however, teachers are able to apply for a $5,000 bonus from the state District provided confirmation that teachers can receive a $5,000 bonus from the state and provided the above PDF. p. 68, App. E. Past Policy no, stipend pay provision expired on June 30, 2014 p. 69, MOU E. Past Policy yes p. 82, MOU E Past Policy issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
What compensation is offered to a teacher who serves as a department head at the secondary level?	$2,000 (English is the only chairperson position listed as receiving a bonus) p. 74, Art. XV, Sec. 7.B.1.c.
General Salary Information
Are uncertified teachers paid less than fully certified teachers?	Uncertified teachers cannot be the teacher of record Board Policy G-26: http://www.okcps.org/Page/255
Can a teacher get credit on the salary schedule for subject-related work experience? How many years of experience are awarded for subject-related experience?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports that teachers do not get credit; rather the experience is credited from OSDE official records.
Are teachers eligible for a longevity bonus? If so, in what year(s) of service is a teacher eligible?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents

Dismissal questions

Dismissals
Following an unsatisfactory final evaluation, how much time must a tenured teacher (or annual contract where tenure nonexistent) be in formal remediation before s/he may be dismissed or non-renewed at the end of the school year?	Other case-by-case, not to exceed 60 days (dismissal allowed) p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.8.
What is the process for dismissal of an ineffective teacher?	district acknowledges state law p. 41, Art. VIII, Sec. 1.C.
Does a nontenured teacher have any recourse if his/her contract is not renewed?	district acknowledges state law p. 41, Art. VIII, Sec. 1.C.
By what date must a nontenured teacher be notified of non-renewal of his/her contract?	district acknowledges state law p. 41, Art. VIII, Sec. 1.C.
When must a tenured teacher be notified of his/her dismissal?	district acknowledges state law p. 41, Art. VIII, Sec. 1.C.

Evaluation questions

Evaluation System
What is the teacher required to be evaluated on?	Professional practice (Classroom strategies and behaviors-70%, Planning and preparing-15%, Reflecting on teaching-0%, Collegiality and professionalism-15%) OK HB 2957, passed in April 2016, amended state law to require the use of quantitative student growth/achievement as a component of teacher evaluation effective 2017-2018. pp. 9 & 38. Past Policy Professional practice (Classroom strategies and behaviors-68%, Planning and preparing-14%, Reflecting on teaching-8%, Collegiality and professionalism-10%) In 2015-2016 in accordance with 70 O.S. 6-101.16, student growth/achievement counts 50%, 35% of which comes from standardized tests; 15% Other Academic Measures. pp. 5, 8 & 23.
Do impartial third parties from outside the school serve as evaluators?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports no, no citation given.
Is peer review a component of teacher evaluation; what is the nature of the review?	other yes-optional ("highly recommended") observation for formative purposes only, shared only between teacher and peer p. 17. Past Policy Yes - observation and feedback to administrator with no rating p. 13. Past Policy Yes - observation and feedback to administrator with no rating pp. 13 & 14 Past Policy Yes - observation and feedback to administrator with no rating pp. 12 &13 Past Policy No p. 28, Art. VI, Sec. 7, C. 4,5 Past Policy No p. 28, sec. 7, C. 4,5
Does the evaluation include student input?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
What kind of feedback does a teacher receive following a formal observation(s)?	Conference with evaluator p. 11. p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.6.
What kind of feedback must the teacher receive following an evaluation?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents District reports that teachers receive a post-evaluation conference, no citation given.
How many categories of ratings are there?	5: Superior, Highly Effective, Effective, Needs Improvement, Ineffective p. 9.
Are evaluators required to give notice of an observation?	Multiple observations - announced and unannounced The formal observation is announced; informal observations are unannounced. pp. 9 & 10. p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.5.
Role of Student Achievement in Teacher Evaluation
How is student growth/achievement calculated for teachers of tested subjects?	n/a (effective 2017-2018, in accordance with 2016 HB 2957, student growth/achievement will be a component of evaluations) OK HB 2957, passed in April 2016, amended state law to require the use of quantitative student growth/achievement as a component of teacher evaluation effective 2017-2018. p. 9. pp. 7 & 8, HB 2957: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20ENR/hB/HB2957%20ENR.PDF
How is student achievement/growth calculated for teachers of non-tested subjects?	n/a (effective 2017-2018, in accordance with 2016 HB 2957, student growth/achievement will be a component of evaluations) p. 9. pp. 7 & 8, HB 2957: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20ENR/hB/HB2957%20ENR.PDF
Evaluation Requirements for non-tenured Teachers
How frequently do non-tenured teachers receive an evaluation rating?	Once a year Although it is not explicitly stated, Oklahoma requires annual evaluations of all non-tenured teachers (70 O.S. 6-101.16). pp. 9 & 10.
What is the minimum number of times a non-tenured teacher must be observed during the evaluation?	3: 2 informal unannounced observations; 1 formal announced observation pp. 9 & 10. Past Policy 5: 1 formal, 1 informal (does not count), 2 informal, 1 peer (does not count) pp. 9 & 10. Past Policy 5 (1 peer observation - not part of final rating; 2 informal (one does not count towards rating); 2 formal) pp. 12, 13, 15 & 16 Past Policy 5 (1 peer observation - not part of final rating; 2 informal; 2 formal) pp. 12 & 13 Past Policy minimum of 90 minutes of observation, no one observation less than 15 minutes In addition, there must be one formative observation prior to the end of the 1st quarter (p. 28). p. 29, Art. VI, sec. 7, F. Past Policy minimum of 90 minutes of observation, no one observation less than 15 minutes p. 29, Art. VI, sec. 7, F. Past Policy minimum of 90 minutes of observation, no one observation less than 15 minutes p. 29, Art. VI, sec. 7, F.
What is the deadline for the first formal observation of the non-tenured teacher?	December 12, 2016. p. 14. Past Policy April 1, 2015 The first informal observation (does not count) by September 12, 2014. The two informal observations that do count must occur by December 12, 2014. p. 11. Past Policy 1st informal observation - September 27, 2013; 1st formal observation - December 17, 2013 The first informal observation does not count towards a teacher's final rating. p. 15 Past Policy 1st informal observation - September 27, 2013; 1st formal observation - December 17, 2013 The first informal observation does not count towards a teacher's final rating. p. 15 Past Policy last work day in October or end of 1st quarter p. 28, Art. VI, sec. 7, E. 1. Past Policy last work day in October or end of 1st quarter p. 28, Art. VI, sec. 7, E. 1. Past Policy last work day in October or end of 1st quarter p. 28, Art. VI, sec. 7, E. 1.
What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the non-tenured teacher?	April 3, 2017 p. 14.
What is the required minimum length of the formal observation for a non-tenured teacher?	30 minutes p. 10.
Evaluation Requirements for Tenured Teachers
How frequently do tenured teachers receive an evaluation rating?	Other 1x/2 years in 2015-2016 & 2016-2017; 1x/3 years effective 2017-2018 if teacher was rated Highly Effective or Superior, in accordance with state law Teachers are placed on off-cycle evaluations if they are rated Highly Effective or Superior (top two out of five rating levels) . Although it is not stated explicitly, teachers, rated Effective, or lower, are subject to the same annual evaluations as the non-tenured teacher in accordance with state law. pp. 14 & 15. Past Policy Once a year Although it is not explicitly stated, there is no indication that tenured teaches are evaluated less frequently than non-tenured who are required, by law, to be evaluated annual. The provisions of the TLE Guidelines apply uniformly to tenured and non-tenured. pp. 9 & 10. Past Policy Once a year pp. 15 & 16 Past Policy Once a year p. 15 Past Policy Once a year In accordance with State law. p. 27, Art. VI, Sec. 7 A. Past Policy Once a year In accordance with State law. Board Policy G. 30 Past Policy Once a year Board Policy G. 30
What is the minimum number of times a tenured teacher must be observed during the evaluation?	3: 2 informal unannounced observations; 1 formal announced observation pp. 9 & 10. Past Policy 5: 1 formal, 1 informal (does not count), 2 informal, 1 peer (does not count) pp. 9 & 10. Past Policy 5 (1 peer observation - not part of final rating; 2 informal (one does not count towards rating); 2 formal) pp. 12, 13, 15 & 16 Past Policy 5 (1 peer observation - not part of final rating; 2 informal; 2 formal) There may not be more than 4 formal observations. pp. 12 & 13 Past Policy increments of not less than 15 minutes until all criteria have been observed There may not be more than 4 formal observations. p. 29, Art. VI, Sec. 7, G. 1. Past Policy minimum of 60 minutes of observation, no one observation less than 15 minutes There may not be more than 4 formal observations. p. 29, Art. VI, sec. 7, F. Past Policy minimum of 60 minutes of observation, no one observation less than 15 minutes There many not be more than 4 formal observations p. 29, Art. VI, sec. 7, F.
What is the deadline for the first formal observation of the tenured teacher?	December 12, 2016 p. 14. p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.5. Past Policy April 1, 2015 p. 11. Past Policy April 1, 2015 p. 11. Past Policy 1st informal observation - September 27, 2013; 1st formal observation - December 17, 2013 p. 15 Past Policy 1st informal observation - September 27, 2013; 1st formal observation - December 17, 2013 p. 15 Past Policy last workday in October or end of 1st quarter This is the required formative observation which does not count towards a teacher's rating. There is no deadline for other observations, contract states only that they must be completed by end of 1st semester. p. 28, Art. VI, Sec. 7, E. 1. Past Policy last work day in October or end of 1st quarter p. 28, Art. VI, sec. 7, E. 1. Past Policy last work day in October or end of 1st quarter p. 28, Art. VI, sec. 7, E. 1.
What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the tenured teacher?	April 3, 2017 p. 14.
What is the minimum length of a tenured teacher's formal observation?	30 minutes p. 10.
Consequences of a Negative Evaluation
Following an unsatisfactory final evaluation, how much time must a tenured teacher (or annual contract where tenure nonexistent) be in formal remediation before s/he may be dismissed or non-renewed at the end of the school year?	Other case-by-case, not to exceed 60 days (dismissal allowed) p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.8.
Does the district assign a mentor or support team to the teacher in remediation?	yes, if recommended by the principal, an instructional coach p. 20.
How many classroom observations (minimum) are required during remediation?	Observations required, number not specified p. 20.
How long is the remediation process?	case-by-case (not to exceed 60 days) p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.8.
Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations?	No p. 31, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.9.
Can a teacher request a second evaluation from a different evaluator?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents

Layoffs questions

Layoffs
Must nontenured teachers be laid off before tenured?	Yes Up to 22 less senior teachers may be exempted to meet the needs of the school district. p. 36, Art. VI, Sec. 13.A.
Aside from program and staffing needs, what are the criteria for laying off teachers?	Seniority is the preponderant criterion. Up to 22 less senior teachers may be exempted to meet the needs of the school district. p. 36, Art. VI, Sec. 13.A.
In the case of a layoff, is seniority determined at the school level or district level?	District level p. 36, Art. VI, Sec. 13.A.
What is the notification deadline for teacher layoffs?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
When the district needs to hire new teachers, are laid off teachers either given recall rights or preference?	Other mandatory hiring of all teachers in inverse order of layoffs in 1st year after RIF; during second year teachers given priority over new applicants p. 36, Art. VI, Sec. 13.B.2 & 3.
How long does a laid off teacher retain recall rights?	1 year (mandatory recall) - 2 years (priority over new applicants) p. 36, Art. VI, Sec. 13.B.2 & 3.

Leave questions

Sick & Personal Leave
What is the total possible number of paid general leave days (sick, personal, and other days used for personal reasons) a teacher can get each year?	13.3 (10 sick; 3 personal; 0.3 general leave [2 hours] ) Leave of two hours or less will not be charge against the employee's available accrued leave. p. 49, Art. XIV, Sec. 1 & 2.B.1 & p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.A. Past Policy 13 (10 sick; 3 personal) p. 46, Art. XIV, Sec. 1.B & p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 3.A. Past Policy 13 (10 sick; 3 personal) p. 39, Art. XIV, Sec. 1. B & p. 42, Art. XIV, Sec. 3. A. Past Policy 13 (10 sick; 3 personal) A teacher earns an additional personal day if s/he has 80% of sick leave left at the end of the school year, to be used in following year. pp. 39 & 40, Art. XIV.; p. 43, Art. XIV. Past Policy 13 (10 sick; 3 personal) A teacher earns a fourth personal day if s/he has 80% of sick leave left at the end of the school year, to be used in following year. p. 47, Art. XIV. Sec. 1. B.; pp. 50-51, Art. XIV. Sec. 3. A & E. Past Policy 13 (10 sick; 3 personal) A teacher earns a fourth personal day if s/he has 80% of sick leave left at the end of the school year, to be used in following year. p. 47, Art. XIV. Sec. 1. B.; p. 51, Art. XIV. Sec. 3. A. Past Policy 13-14 (10 sick days; 3-4 personal days) p. 47, Art. XIV. Sec. 1. B.; p. 51, Art. XIV. Sec. 3. A.
What is the total number of paid sick and personal days a teacher gets each year?	13 (10 sick, 3 personal) p. 49, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.1 & p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.A.
Can unused sick days carry over from one year to the next?	Yes p. 49, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.
Can unused personal days carry over from one year to the next?	Personal days convert to sick days for accumulation. p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.D.
What is the maximum number of sick days a teacher can accumulate?	201 days p. 49, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.
After how many days of absence does a teacher have to provide medical documentation for sick leave?	5 consecutive workdays p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.D.
Professional Development Leave
Is there additional paid leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?	Yes paid professional leave to attend conferences, workshops, and meetings (amount not specified) p. 54, Art. XIV, Sec. 5.A.
Other Leave
Apart from general leave (sick, personal, and other leave for personal reasons) and professional development, what other types of paid leave does the district offer?	job-incurred disability (3 days per injury; 10 days per year), bereavement of immediate family (5 days), jury duty, court subpoena, military (in accordance with state law) pp. 54 & 55, Art. XIV, Sec. 5.B - E. Past Policy bereavement of immediate family (5 days), jury duty, court subpoena, military (in accordance with state law) pp. 51 & 52, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.C - E. Past Policy job-incurred disability (10 days), bereavement of immediate family (5 days), legal, military pp. 43 & 44, Art. XIV, Sec. 4. Past Policy job-incurred disability (10 days), bereavement (5 days), legal, military p. 44, Art. XIV. Past Policy job-incurred disability (10 days), bereavement (5 days), legal, military pp. 51-52, Art. XIV. Sec. 4. B-E. Past Policy job-incurred disability (10 days), bereavement (5 days), legal, military (30 days) pp. 51-52, Art. XIV. Sec. 4. A-E. Past Policy job-incurred disability, legal, military pp. 51-53, Art. XIV. Sec. 4. A-E.
Is leave available for a teacher to attend union associated activities (not counting leave given to elected union representatives)?	yes, 80 days are allotted to all teachers collectively to attend union associated activities p. 16, Art. V, Sec. 12.
Attendance Incentives
When are leave days restricted or subject to refusal?	first/last week of school; immediately before/following holiday/vacation; days with adverse weather when schools are open; participating in political/social problem activities; interviewing for other employment; another job; recreation/vacation Personal business leave shall not be taken for participating in political or social problem activities, seeking other employment, performing a service for compensation, participating in professional activities, and participating in entertainment, recreation, or for vacation. p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.B & C.
Can a teacher earn additional pay or leave days for demonstrating good job attendance? How much?	Yes teachers with 80% of their current year's sick leave earn 1 extra personal business leave day for the following year; the district agrees to compensate for all days in excess of 201 in the form of an attendance bonus at the rate of $35 a day p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.7 & p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.E.
Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at the end of each school year? How much?	Yes the district agrees to compensate for all days in excess of 201 in the form of an attendance bonus at the rate of $35 a day p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.7.
Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at the end of each school year? How much?	Personal leave converts to sick leave. p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.D.
Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much?	Yes $10-$20/day (based on years in district) up to 181 days; days in excess of 181 are compensated at a rate of $35/day if teacher submits notice before the deadline Retiring teachers are reimbursed at a rate of $10.00/day for 1-7 years in the district, $12.00/day for 8-12 years in the district, $14.00/day for 13-17 years in the district, $16.00/day for 18-22 years in the district, $18.00/day for 23-26 years in the district, and $20.00/day for 27 or more years in the district. A teacher may also receive compensation upon retirement for unused sick days. The District agrees to compensate for all accumulated days in excess of one hundred eighty-one (181) (or the equivalent of one [1] full year of sick leave on the employee’s schedule) at the rate of $35.00 per day, provided that the teacher submits, prior to November 1 of the current year, a signed resignation effective at a date no later than the end of the current contract year. p. 71, Art. XV, Sec. 3.F & p. 50, Art. XIV, Sec. 2.B.6.
Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at retirement? How much?	Personal leave converts to sick leave. p. 53, Art. XIV, Sec. 4.D.

Professional Development questions

General
Is there additional paid leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?	Yes paid professional leave to attend conferences, workshops, and meetings (amount not specified) p. 54, Art. XIV, Sec. 5.A.
How long is the mentorship program for a new teacher?	Other district acknowledges state law p. 20, Art. VI, Sec. 3.C.3.
How long is the standard orientation that the district provides for new teachers?	at least 6 hours Board Policy G-24: http://bit.ly/1ooBuEj

Tenure questions

Role of Tenure on Teacher Assignment and Employment
What is the minimum number of years of experience that a teacher must have in a district before tenure is granted?	3 years in accordance with state law; Effective 2017-2018, 3-4 years dependent on evaluation rating (see footnote) Effective 2017-2018, a teacher receives tenure (career status) after 3 years if s/he was rated "superior" pursuant to the TLE guidelines set forth in 70 O.S. Section 6-101.16 for at least 2 of the 3 years. A teacher receives tenure after 4 years if s/he averaged a rating of at least "effective" for the four-year period and has received a rating of "effective" for the last 2 of the four-year period. Or, the teacher receives tenure after 4 years if his/her principal successfully petitions the Superintendent to grant the teacher who has failed to meet these criteria tenure. pp. 29 & 30, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.2.(A). Past Policy 3 years in accordance with state law p. 29, Art. VI, Sec. 7.C.2. Past Policy 3 years in accordance with state law p. 24, Art. VI, Sec. 7. Past Policy 3 years p. 24, Art. VI Past Policy Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents , 3- 4 years In accordance with state law: OK Statute 70-6-101.3: tenure awarded after 3 years if teacher rated "superior" in 2 of 3 first years: tenure awarded in 4 years if rated at least "effective" in last two years or averaged at least "effective" in four years; tenure awarded in 4 years if above not achieved but principal successfully petitions superintendent for an exception. Past Policy Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents Past Policy 2 years p. 22, Art. VI. Sec. 5. B. 1. Past Policy 2 years p. 22, Art. VI. Sec. 5. B. 1.
Can the district decide to extend the nontenured period if the principal is uncertain that the teacher should receive tenure?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents

Transfer & Assignment questions

Transfers
Are internal transfers given priority over new hires for vacant positions?	yes p. 23, Art. VI, Sec. 5.A.4.
Are principals and/or site selection committees allowed to select voluntary transfer applicants to hire? If not, then how are voluntary transfers assigned to schools?	no, HR places transfer applicants p. 24, Art. VI, Sec. 5.C.
Separate from excessing, does the district allow school or district administrators to involuntarily transfer a teacher to another school? If so, for what reasons is he/she allowed to initiate such a transfer?	yes, reduction in staff due to change in enrollment, reduction or elimination of programs, failure to meet class-size requirements, program equity and Title I district comparability requirements p. 25, Art. VI, Sec. 5.D.1.
Identifying Involuntary Transfers Due to Excessing
Are teachers identified for excessing in reverse order of seniority?	Yes, but there are exceptions. p. 26, Art. VI, Sec. 5.D.3.d.
How are teachers identified for excessing?	seniority with exceptions (immediate supervisors may identify up to 2 teachers on elementary level and 4 on secondary level as exempt from excessing) p. 25, Art. VI, Sec. 5.D.3.a.
Placing Excessed Teachers
How are excessed teachers assigned to schools?	Other teachers with 10+ yrs. experience placed by seniority, certification, teacher preferences and teacher effectiveness; teachers with less than 10 yrs. experience placed according to district needs but may express preference p. 26, Art. VI, Sec. 5.D.5.a & b.
If excessed teachers are not hired by mutual consent, what happens if there are no available openings?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents

Contract Waivers questions

Waivers
Is there a system in place to accept waivers or variance provisions for portions of or the entire collective-bargaining agreement?	Yes p. 38, Art. VI, Sec. 15.
Do teachers have a vote in a request for a waiver?	yes p. 38, Art. VI, Sec. 15.C.
What requirements must be met for a waiver of contract provisions to be approved?	75% of teachers must vote in favor of waiver, final approval from superintendent and union president pp. 38 & 39, Art. VI, Sec. 15.C.5 & F.