Abandonment of Contract Recommendations From Task Force Bootstrap

Abandonment of Contract Recommendations From Task Force Bootstrap October 20, 2016

Why is this a problem? • Educators say contracts are unfair • School systems control the language, can reduce days, change assignments, and add liquidated damages • Teachers are forced to sign contracts earlier and earlier • Georgia is experiencing a shortage of teachers

Why is this a problem? • Administrators say contracts are not fair because teachers sign and break contracts • School system had saved the position and now is trying to find replacement at the last minute • One metro area school lost 600 teachers after June 1 • Kids are the ones who suffer because often times, the position is not filled

Task Force Members • • Superintendents Steve Barker-Coweta Angela Pringle-Richmond Mychele Rhoads-Mc. Duffie

HR Administrators • • • Paige Busbee-Bibb Pam Hall-APS Doug Hendrix-Clayton Richard Hill-Whitfield County Allison Mc. Mahon-Marietta City

School Administrators • • Leah Johnston-Tift County La. Tonya Jones-De. Kalb County Trista Jones-Thomas County Lee Anne Rice-Forsyth County

Teachers • • • Jim Barrett-Walker County Ashley Day-Coffee County Charles Harper-Fayette County Kristin Harrison-Oconee County Karen Jones-Schley County Ernie Lee-Chatham County Michael Poor-Newton County David Mowery-Floyd County Havilyn Towns-Gainesville City Steven Waters-Calhoun City

Recommendations • Eliminate Standard 8 and incorporate wording in Standard 10 to capture breach of contract • Use phrase “Breach of Contract” instead of “Abandonment” • Emphasize “Breach of Contract” could be done by school system as well as Educator • Continue current interpretation of “PSC” will not sanction certificate if resignation submitted prior to June 1

Recommendations • After June 1, PSC will not sanction certificate for the following reasons: • Transfer of Spouse that requires unreasonable commute • Illness in the family which requires educator to care for family member • Promotion in the field of education that meets the following criteria: increase in job responsibility, increase in prestige, and an appropriate and reasonable increase in salary

Recommendations • Payment of Liquidated damages by educator is not considered a release from contract • School Systems are encouraged to work with educators for a smooth transition • Educators are expected to honor their contracts • Breach of Contract is defined as “not being released from contract and not meeting the criteria” established by the PSC

Process • Presented draft to Commission in October • Ethics Staff and Executive Staff will review, edit, and wordsmith to put in appropriate format for our rule making • Attorneys and Professional Organizations will provide input • Presentations will be made to get feedback from the field • Bring to Commissioners in January/February as a recommendation