Sacramento City Unified School District, California

Compensation - Fringe Benefits questions

Health and Wellness
What is the maximum portion of the employee's health insurance premium paid by the employer?	not specified; employees contribute towards cost of health insurance p. 6, 16. Past Policy 100% Past Policy 100% p. 70, Art. 13.1.1.1
What is the maximum portion of the employee's dependents' health insurance premium paid by the employer?	not specified; employees contribute towards cost of health insurance p. 6, 16.
Does the employer specify a dollar cap for the portion of the premium they cover? If so, what is the cap?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents p. 6, 16.
Pensions/Retirement
Are there incentives for a teacher to take early retirement?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
By what date must a teacher give notification that he/she intends to resign or retire?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
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 $500 one-time stipend for teachers who give notice of resignation or retirment prior to March 1 p. 31, Art. 8.3.1.2
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
Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at retirement? How much?	No; personal days are taken from sick leave. p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.4; p. 48, Art. 9.6.2.1
Tuition Reimbursement
Is tuition reimbursement offered to teachers?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Can a teacher receive financial support to cover National Board certification fees?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents

Calendar questions

School Year
STUDENTS: How many days are students in school?	180
STUDENTS: How many hours, minimum, are students scheduled to be in school each year?	District acknowledges state law Board policy 6112: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
TEACHERS: How many days are teachers in school?	181
TEACHERS: How many days is the teacher required to be on-site without students? (including half or partial days)	1
School Day
How long is the school day for elementary students?	district acknowledges state law Board policy 6112: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
How long is the school day for secondary students?	district acknowledges state law Board policy 6112: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
How long is the scheduled workday for teachers? (total time scheduled on-site, including lunch)	6 hours and 8 minutes, plus the time for recess (amount of time unknown); scheduled day for kindergarten teachers: between 3 hours, 20 minutes - 4 hours and 15 minutes The maximum regularly scheduled primary teachers' instructional day including preparation time when scheduled shall be 328 minutes including a 60 minute early period and a 60 minute late period, but excluding recess and a 40 minute lunch period. The maximum regularly scheduled kindergarten instructional day for teachers shall be 255 minutes, but could be as less as 200 minutes, pursuant to the election mentioned in sections 5.7.1.3.(c) and 5.7.4.1(c). p. 2, 6. p. 14, Art. 5.7.1
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)	30 minutes (15 minute before and 15 minutes after the last assigned class or preparation period) p. 11, Art. 5.3.1
Preparation Time
How much planning time does an elementary teacher receive?	90 minutes per week p. 12, Art. 5.4.2
How much planning time does a secondary teacher receive?	1 period per day (amount of time unspecified) p. 12, Art. 5.4.1
How much teacher planning time is designated for collaborative planning?	3 days The calendar notes that three work days are scheduled by the school for common planning. The parties agree to add 15 minutes to the student day for the purpose of establishing 45 hours of common planning time per year at the high schools. p. 14, Art. 5.7.3

Class Size questions

Class Size Restrictions
What are the class size restrictions?	PK: issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents K: 32 (in schools with 75% or more in Title I funding: 31 in 2014-15 and 29 in 2015-16) 1-3: 31 (in schools with 75% or more in Title I funding: 30 in 2014-15 and 28 in 2015-16) 4-6: 33 7-8: 31 9-12: 32 p. 6, 17. pp. 77-79, Art. 17. Past Policy PK: issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents K: 32 1-3: 31 4-6: 33 7-8: 31 9-12: 32 Past Policy PK: issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents K: 32 1-3: 31 4-6: 33 7-8: 31 9-12: 32 p. 77, Art. 17
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?	2.5% p. 1 (pdf).
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)	5.8% p. 1 (pdf). p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy 1.0% Past Policy 3.1% Past Policy 0% Past Policy -1.08% (this reduction is due to the decrease in pay for 2 furlough days in 2012-2013) Past Policy previous salary schedule unavailable
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)	8.4% p. 1 (pdf). p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy 3.5% Past Policy 5.7% Past Policy 2.5% Past Policy 1.39% Past Policy previous salary schedule unavailable
What is the average difference between the master's and bachelor's salary?	$3,577 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $3,381 Past Policy $3,347 Past Policy 3,246 Past Policy 3,246 Past Policy 3,218
How many lanes (or columns) based on advanced degrees or credit attainment are on the teacher's salary schedule?	6: BA, BA+45 or MA, BA+75 or MA+24, BA+90 or MA+39 or BA+75 w/ MA, BA+103 or BA+90 w/ MA, PhD (stipend pay) p. 1 (pdf).
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)?	Bachelor's: 7; Master's: 11 p. 1 (pdf).
Annual Salary
What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a bachelor's degree?	$44,562 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $42,120 Past Policy $41,703 Past Policy 40,443 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 40,443 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 40,885
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience?	$46,833 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $44,266 Past Policy $43,828 Past Policy 42,505 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 42,505 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 42,969
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?	$50,157 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $47,408 Past Policy $46,939 Past Policy 45,522 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 45,522 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 46,019
What is the annual salary for a fully certified, first year teacher with a master's degree?	$44,564 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $42,122 Past Policy $41,705 Past Policy 40,445 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 40,445 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 40,887
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree and 5 years of experience?	$49,160 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $46,465 Past Policy $46,005 Past Policy 44,616 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 44,616 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 45,103
What is the annual salary for a teacher with a master's degree on the highest step of the salary schedule?	$61,552 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $58,179 Past Policy $57,603 Past Policy 55,864 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 55,864 (reflects 1.08% reduction in pay due to 2 furlough days) Past Policy 56,474
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?	$94,926; PhD; 25 p. 1 (pdf). Past Policy $89,787; PhD; 25 Past Policy $88,910; PhD; 25 Past Policy 86,260; PhD; 25 Past Policy 86,260; PhD; 25 Past Policy 87,189; PhD; 25
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?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
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
Can a teacher earn additional pay by teaching subjects deemed 'hard to staff'?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Can a teacher who has National Board certification earn additional pay?	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?	$2,512 - $4,169 depending on the size of the department p. 3 (pdf). Past Policy $2,029 - $3,368 depending on the size of the department p. 3 (pdf). Past Policy $2,029-$3,368 depending on the size of the department p. 3. Past Policy $2,029-$3,368 depending on the size of the department p. 3. Past Policy $2,029-$3,368 depending on the size of the department p. 3. Past Policy $2,029-$3,368 depending on the size of the department pp. 63, 66, Art. 12.9.2, 12.9.9
General Salary Information
Are uncertified teachers paid less than fully certified teachers?	Yes Teachers with credentials in progress are paid on a separate, lower salary schedule. p. 2 (pdf).
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?	yes, credit is awarded for "exceptional professional assignments" p. 58, Art. 12.3.2
Are teachers eligible for a longevity bonus? If so, in what year(s) of service is a teacher eligible?	Yes, in years 16, 19, 22, and 25 for those on the BA+75/MA+24 lane or higher. p. 1 (pdf).

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?	Remediation timeframe case by case (dismissal allowed) Teacher may be dismissed after an unsuccessful remediation "of a reasonable time." p. 25, Art. 6.5 & 6.7
What is the process for dismissal of an ineffective teacher?	district acknowledges state law (Education Code 44932) Administrative Regulation 4117.4: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
Does a nontenured teacher have any recourse if his/her contract is not renewed?	district acknowledges state law (Education Code 44932) Administrative Regulation 4117.4: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
By what date must a nontenured teacher be notified of non-renewal of his/her contract?	district acknowledges state law (Education Code 44948.3) Administrative Regulation 4117.4: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
When must a tenured teacher be notified of his/her dismissal?	district acknowledges state law (Education Code 44932) Administrative Regulation 4117.4: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies

Evaluation questions

Evaluation System
What is the teacher required to be evaluated on?	Non-tenured and tenured in 1st 2 years: Professional practice (Engage and support all students in learning, Create and maintain effective environments for student learning, Understand and organize subject matter, Plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students, Assess and evaluate student learning to guide instruction, and communicate progress with students, families, and appropriate staff, Contribute to the teaching and learning environment) Tenured with 5+ years experience: Professional development plan/Student growth/achievement ("Plans to achieve student progress/ Professional growth goal setting")
Do impartial third parties from outside the school serve as evaluators?	No Board policy allows input from other teachers from the school or the district but they do not serve as evaluators. (Board Policy 4115: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies) p. 22, Art. 6.2
Is peer review a component of teacher evaluation; what is the nature of the review?	other optional input from department chairs (Contract) and other teachers (Board Policy) Board Policy 4115: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies p. 22, Art. 6.2.3.2
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 Administrative Regulation 4115: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
What kind of feedback must the teacher receive following an evaluation?	Conference with evaluator in accordance with Education Code 44663 p. 24, Art. 6.4.1
How many categories of ratings are there?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Are evaluators required to give notice of an observation?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Role of Student Achievement in Teacher Evaluation
How is student growth/achievement calculated for teachers of tested subjects?	n/a The contract reads: The use of publishers norms established by standardized tests is inappropriate in the evaluation and/or assessment of certificated employees and shall not be used. p. 21, Art. 6.1.3 & p. 22, Art. 6.3.3.3
How is student achievement/growth calculated for teachers of non-tested subjects?	n/a
Evaluation Requirements for non-tenured Teachers
How frequently do non-tenured teachers receive an evaluation rating?	Once a year p. 22, Art. 6.3.1
What is the minimum number of times a non-tenured teacher must be observed during the evaluation?	2 Administrative Regulation 4115: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
What is the deadline for the first formal observation of the non-tenured teacher?	end of 1st semester Administrative Regulation 4115: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the non-tenured teacher?	April 1, 2017 p. 1.
What is the required minimum length of the formal observation for a non-tenured teacher?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Evaluation Requirements for Tenured Teachers
How frequently do tenured teachers receive an evaluation rating?	Other once every other year unless teacher has 10 + years experience - once every five years Teachers with 5+ yrs. experience and who have been rated as meeting expectations, may qualify for an alternative form of evaluation which emphasizes professional growth and development rather than classroom observation. p. 23, Art. 6.3.1
What is the minimum number of times a tenured teacher must be observed during the evaluation?	2 p. 23, Art. 6.3.3.1
What is the deadline for the first formal observation of the tenured teacher?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
What is the deadline for the final evaluation of the tenured teacher?	April 1, 2017 p. 1.
What is the minimum length of a tenured teacher's formal observation?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
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?	Remediation timeframe case by case (dismissal allowed) Teacher may be dismissed after an unsuccessful remediation "of a reasonable time." p. 25, Art. 6.5 & 6.7
Does the district assign a mentor or support team to the teacher in remediation?	optional (mentor/peer) p. 24, Art. 6.7.
How many classroom observations (minimum) are required during remediation?	1 required by 20th day of improvement plan implementation p. 25, Art. 6.7.2.
How long is the remediation process?	case-by-case (reasonable time) p. 25, Art. 6.5.1.
Can the teacher file a grievance or formally appeal an evaluation rating if there are no acknowledged procedural violations?	No p. 4, Art. 4.1.2.4
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 Exceptions may be made to fill positions with a specific need or to comply with constitutional requirements related to equal protection of the law. Administrative Regulation 4117.3: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
Aside from program and staffing needs, what are the criteria for laying off teachers?	Seniority is the sole criterion. Administrative Regulation 4117.3: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
In the case of a layoff, is seniority determined at the school level or district level?	District level Administrative Regulation 4117.3: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
What is the notification deadline for teacher layoffs?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents Administrative Regulation 4117.3: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
When the district needs to hire new teachers, are laid off teachers either given recall rights or preference?	Yes-mandatory recall of all teachers in inverse order of layoffs Administrative Regulation 4117.3: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies
How long does a laid off teacher retain recall rights?	nontenured- 24 months; tenured-39 months Administrative Regulation 4117.3: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies

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?	16 (10 sick days, 9 of which can be used for personal reasons; 3 sudden illness days of immediate family; 3 imminent death leave days of immediate family) p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.1; p. 48, Art. 9.6.2; p. 49, Art. 9.7.2; p. 40, Art. 9.3.6
What is the total number of paid sick and personal days a teacher gets each year?	10 (10 sick, 9 personal taken from sick leave) p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.1; p. 48, Art. 9.6.2
Can unused sick days carry over from one year to the next?	Yes p. 47, Art. 9.6.1.4
Can unused personal days carry over from one year to the next?	No because personal days are taken from sick leave. p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.4; p. 48, Art. 9.6.2.1
What is the maximum number of sick days a teacher can accumulate?	no maximum p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.4
After how many days of absence does a teacher have to provide medical documentation for sick leave?	10 consecutive workdays p. 47, Art. 9.6.1.7
Professional Development Leave
Is there additional paid leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?	Yes professional leave to attend meetings & conferences (amount unspecified); national education organization presidents are granted 10 days a year to attend meetings of those organizations; other officers get 5 days; 1 year partially paid sabbatical leave In instances where the superintendent or designee believes the district should be represented, leave shall be granted with full pay. Professional leave solicited by the employee may be granted with a salary deduction equal to the daily substitute pay rate. Members of the bargaining unit who are granted sabbatical leaves will receive the difference between their contract salaries and the amount specified for Class C, Step 2. The bargaining unit member must have served in this District successfully for no less than seven consecutive years to be eligible for sabbatical leave. p. 39, Art. 9.3; pp. 44-46, Art. 9.5
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?	quarantine (non-ill teachers only), bereavement (4-5 days), military (30 days), jury duty/subpoena, industrial accident and illness leave (60 days), religious (3 days) Teachers who are quarantined and are ill must use sick leave; those who are quarantined and not ill can use quarantine leave that is separate from sick leave. Four bereavement days are granted to in the event of a death of an immediate family member, or five days if out-of-state travel or travel of 250 miles or more is required. For jury duty, the District shall remunerate employees the difference between regular earnings and the jury duty pay. Observance of religious holidays will be with a salary deduction equal to the minimum day-to-day substitute pay rate. Leaves shall be granted for subpoenas in hearings before judges or in cases before courts of law, with a salary deduction equal to the minimum day-to-day substitute pay rate, in those instances where the employee is not acting as an agent of the District. pp. 39-42, Art 9.3.11, 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 9.3.8, 9.3.13, 9.3.7.1, & 9.3.12
Is leave available for a teacher to attend union associated activities (not counting leave given to elected union representatives)?	yes, 50 days per year to be used collectively, plus 1 day per member of the bargaining team for negotiating sessions conducted during required workdays pp. 81 & 82, Art. 18.13 & 18.2
Attendance Incentives
When are leave days restricted or subject to refusal?	attendance at or participation in functions which are primarily for the employee's amusement, pleasure, personal convenience; the extension of holidays or vacation periods; accompanying a spouse on a trip when such travel is not otherwise authorized Other reasons include: seeking or engaging in other employment; engaging in a strike demonstration, picketing, lobbying, rally, march, campaign meeting, or any other activities relating to work stoppage or political campaigning. p. 48, Art. 9.6.2.2
Can a teacher earn additional pay or leave days for demonstrating good job attendance? How much?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at the end of each school year? How much?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at the end of each school year? How much?	No; personal days are taken from sick leave. p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.4; p. 48, Art. 9.6.2.1
Can a teacher receive payment for unused sick leave at retirement? How much?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Can a teacher receive payment for unused personal leave at retirement? How much?	No; personal days are taken from sick leave. p. 46, Art. 9.6.1.4; p. 48, Art. 9.6.2.1

Professional Development questions

General
Is there additional paid leave for any professional development not already scheduled and required by the district? How much?	Yes professional leave to attend meetings & conferences (amount unspecified); national education organization presidents are granted 10 days a year to attend meetings of those organizations; other officers get 5 days; 1 year partially paid sabbatical leave In instances where the superintendent or designee believes the district should be represented, leave shall be granted with full pay. Professional leave solicited by the employee may be granted with a salary deduction equal to the daily substitute pay rate. Members of the bargaining unit who are granted sabbatical leaves will receive the difference between their contract salaries and the amount specified for Class C, Step 2. The bargaining unit member must have served in this District successfully for no less than seven consecutive years to be eligible for sabbatical leave. p. 39, Art. 9.3; pp. 44-46, Art. 9.5
How long is the mentorship program for a new teacher?	2 years p. 85, Art. 20.4; p. 19, Art. 5.12.10.2.4
How long is the standard orientation that the district provides for new teachers?	a maximum of 1 day New teachers shall have no more than one additional day of service required for all district-wide meetings in addition to whatever requirements exist for all teachers. The contract does not specify when this occurs. p. 16, Art. 5.9.8

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?	2 years Administrative Regulation 4116: http://www.scusd.edu/board-policies TR3 Contract - July 1, 2004 - June 30, 20111: p. 19, Art. 5.12.10.2.4
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. 35, Art. 8.5.1.7
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?	yes p. 35, Art. 8.5.1.8
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, for substandard performance or other problems encountered by an employee P. 37, Art. 8.7
Identifying Involuntary Transfers Due to Excessing
Are teachers identified for excessing in reverse order of seniority?	Yes p. 33, Art. 8.4.3 & 8.4.4
How are teachers identified for excessing?	seniority p. 33, Art. 8.4.3 & 8.4.4.
Placing Excessed Teachers
How are excessed teachers assigned to schools?	Central office places excessed teachers based on their preferences in order of seniority. p. 35, Art. 8.5.3.1
If excessed teachers are not hired by mutual consent, what happens if there are no available openings?	Other teachers are placed in first available opening by seniority p. 35, Art. 8.5.3.1.

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?	Issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
Do teachers have a vote in a request for a waiver?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents
What requirements must be met for a waiver of contract provisions to be approved?	issue not addressed in scope of NCTQ reviewed documents