Some Stafford County teachers may start to work shorter hours and avoid unpaid after-school activities to protest what they think is inadequate local funding.
The Stafford Education Association is weighing options for fighting what it calls a cycle of "devaluization" of schools. One of those is the "work to the rule" tactic, in which teachers are urged not to exceed the 7-hour day required by their contracts.
They would be discouraged from arriving at work early or staying late to grade papers. They also would avoid unpaid work and activities, such as tutoring and PTA meetings.
"Work to the rule" is one of five options for a 30-day campaign called "Restore Our Value." The group will soon poll its 1,200 members and hopes to enact any combination of the five by mid-May, said SEA President Jannette Martin.
The less-controversial choices include protests outside county offices and schools, and a media event to spotlight the organization's concerns, according to an SEA handout.
SEA Vice President Suzanne Battista gave the School Board clerk a written copy of the group's proposed campaigns after voicing her concerns at a meeting Tuesday.
Battista could not be reached for comment this week.
"The feeling is that this budget concern has been going on for three years, and that we have to make a statement," said Martin, who teaches at Rockhill Elementary. She said she's not yet sure what specific action the School Board and Board of Supervisors could take to stop the protests.
Earlier this week, supervisors approved a $767,500 increase in local funds for schools for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The School Board had asked for a $15.4 million increase.
The SEA is upset that Superintendent David Sawyer's revised spending plan eliminates a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise. That means 110 of the division's highest-paid teachers wouldn't see a change in their salaries next fiscal year, said Patty Sullivan, director of budget and grants.
Returning teachers not at the top of the pay scale would receive a 2.5 percent "step increase" guaranteed in their contracts, which Martin said isn't enough to keep up with inflation.
The School Board hasn't approved any of the suggested cuts but could do so at a meeting May 5.
School Board member John LeDoux said he understands teachers' frustrations but wouldn't comment on their proposed campaigns because he hasn't seen them in writing.
School Board member Robert Belman said people need to keep in mind the economic climate.
"The funding's not there," he said. "I don't know what they'd like us to do or where they expect the money to come from."
Board of Supervisors Chairman George Schwartz said he thinks teachers' time would be better served in the classroom, but he wouldn't comment further.
"It's actually between them, the parents, the children and the School Board," he said. "It's not something for me as a supervisor to get involved with."
Martin said the big question is whether teachers will find time to grade papers if they strictly abide by the terms of their current contracts.
"Maybe papers wouldn't get graded on time," she said.
She said the SEA hopes any short-term hardships would lead to long-term gains for students. Students will begin taking standardized tests in late May.
Princess Moss, president of the Virginia Education Association in Richmond, said "work to the rule" shows how far teachers go above and beyond their required duties.
"I think Stafford is going to begin the trend of our teachers finally standing up and saying, 'Enough is enough,'" she said.
Jeff Cobb was the president of the Virginia Beach Education Association in 2001 when teachers there worked to the rule for a week. They were campaigning against a proposal to extend the school year by 10 days, Cobb said.
"We felt like we needed to shine a bright light of publicity on the issue," said Cobb, now vice president of the Virginia Education Association.
Some teachers strictly followed the protest, he said. Others brought work home.
The School Board decided to add a day or two to the academic year, he said, but also required teachers to attend a series of summer workshops. Many viewed the summer obligations as retribution, he said.
Cobb said he thinks a few parents were upset with the campaign. But overall they had pretty strong community support, he said.
"Work to the rule" is something associations do as a last resort, Cobb said.
Martin said she thinks some teachers support the concept, and others don't.
In her 25 years with the association, Martin said, a "work to the rule" campaign has been talked about but never planned.
"It would be tough, there's no doubt about it," she said. "It will be a decision not made lightly."
Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com
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Other examples of teacher protests across the country:
BALTIMORE: The Baltimore Sun reported this month that Baltimore County's 9,000-member Teachers Association protested a lack of raise by starting a work-to-rule job action.
FAIRFAX: The Washington Post reported in 2006 that Fairfax County's education association held a "work to the rule" day. Many teachers did no unpaid work, including tutoring or grading papers, The Post reported. Some rescheduled meetings or canceled after-school sessions with students. MINNESOTA: In November, the Star Tribune in Minneapolis reported that teachers in the Prior Lake-Savage School District initiated "work to the rule" to protest a lack of progress in contract negations between the district and the teachers' union. NEW YORK: In 1992, The New York Times reported that many teachers nationwide refused to write letters of recommendation for college-bound students because they were upset by budget cuts. Teachers eliminated after-school tutoring and other duties not in their contracts. The Times reported that many students and parents did not sympathize with the teachers. |
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Does this hurt the kids? Sometimes it is necessary to do something that causes short-term hardship in order to achieve long-term gain. The kids benefit in the long run from a strong school system, which is what we are fighting for. My principal is holding a faculty meeting after school. Should I skip it?NO! But suggest to the principal that he/she try to have it after school before the end of the contract day. I am receiving a supplement or stipend for coaching or for an after-school activity. Should I continue to coach during work to the rule?YES! Any activity beyond the school day for which you are receiving compensation should be continued. |