Consent Award Grants Early Dismissal
for Two Schools

A panel arbitrator signed a consent award granting staff members represented by the P.E.A. at School 5 and School 10 a one-time thirty (30) minute early release for all instructional staff prior to December 31, 2007.

This award was granted as a result of a grievance file by the Association on behalf of staff members at Schools 5 & 10. Both schools utilized Thursday, October 18, 2007 to implement the arbitrator's Award.

Stated Jim Joyner, P.E.A. 1st Vice President, "In February 2006, the Glascoe administration scheduled a faculty meeting at the two schools that were in violation of the contract. Specifically, in the case School 5, a meeting was called for a Friday afternoon before a holiday in violation of Article 7:1-5.2. At School 10 a faculty meeting was scheduled on a Thursday, but without providing staff with five (5) days notice of such meeting; as required Article 7:1-5.4."

Both of these Articles in the contract allow for such meetings to be scheduled if an emergency is proven to exist. The purpose of the meeting at the two schools was to introduce the building staff members to newly hired principals to the District. Both schools had been without a principal since the school year began in September 2006. However, both schools were assigned an interim principal from within the District for that period of time.

"The Association did not see where either of these situations warranted such an emergency", stated Peter Tirri, P.E.A. President, "and it was clear that we were correct. The arbitrator helped to facilitate an agreement to provide the staff members with a form of comp. time to resolve the matter."