Your administrators should NEVER ask you about any medical condition or diagnosis you have, even if it is something very common.  That’s illegal.  It relates to federal HIPPA laws.  It’s really none of their business.

​YOU can bring it up if you need help in doing your job.  For example, if you have a serious bladder control issue, the district, no different than any employer, is required to provide accommodations if possible.  For example, in that case, moving your classroom to the nearest bathroom.  Or, having another staff watch your classroom in an emergency.

If you call in sick one day, they should not be prying and asking why.  That’s sort of a passive-aggressive way of trying to find out if you were REALLY sick.  My recommendation is to just say, “I was sick, and now I feel much better.”  Smile and leave it at that.

Conversely, administrators can ding you on evaluations if there is a trend in your absences.  For example, Fridays before a vacation.  Or a certain day of the week.  Or, if you’re absent often.  What’s often?  That’s a good question, and that’s subjective just like most parts of an evaluation. 

A fraudulent use of sick leave (using it when you’re not sick) is actually grounds for dismissal because it is considered a misuse of tax dollars.  Termination wouldn’t happen right away unless there were several discipline issues prior to that. 

Termination?  And you thought we had tenure.  That’s a topic for next week.

The legislature is close to passing Assembly bills 1505 and 1507.  These are bills that will make charter schools accountable to the taxpayers.  Who doesn’t want that?   One charter school founder spent $3.2 million of taxpayer money on expensive clothing, luxury hotel stays and first-class flights.  The author of 1505 is Assemblyman Parick O’Donnell, a high school teacher in Long Beach Unified.  He’s on release from his teaching duties to be in the legislature.  That’s what we need!  Educators as our politicians!  There are more educators in the legislature than ever before.  Even better, O’Donnell is the Chair of the Education Committee.  Your CTA education lobbyists are pushing hard to make sure the final language in the bills benefit our students.

But, our advocates need your help.  Lawmakers pay serious attention to the emails they receive.  You might not think so, but when they receive 3 or 4 emails or calls a day from constituents on an issue, they sit up and take notice. They track all that.  THEY REALLY DO.  Sending an email will help our team’s efforts.

Please send an email to your lawmaker and urge him/her to support AB 1505 (O’Donnell) and AB 1507 (Smith).  It’s EASY!

ONE MORE THING…After you’ve reached out to your lawmakers, post to Facebook or share a tweet encouraging others to take action as well.

Thanks for taking action to fix flawed laws that have been negatively impacting all students!

Were you moved due to construction?  Article Article XVI, Section 2d, page 36 of the contract says, 

"If a unit member is transferred/reassigned after the beginning of the school year, including movement due to construction at the school site, the unit member shall be offered two days of instruction-free time to prepare for the new assignment. When a change of classroom or site is required, a unit member rather than taking release time, may, with the approval of the District, receive hourly non-student contact compensation on a non-work day to affect the move. One additional day shall be offered if the transfer/reassignment includes a change of classroom or school site. If requested, the District shall provide assistance in moving teaching materials."

First, Pride Day is this Saturday at the Waterfront in Stockton from noon to 5pm.  I’ll be there hosting a CTA table.  If you would like to help, please let me know.  We provide arts and craft activities for kids while we talk about supporting public education with adults.