Dear Delaware blogger,
I teach at Delaware College Preparatory Academy. We organized last year, voting in the winter to be represented by the Delaware State Education Association (DSEA). We believe that teachers deserve fair treatment and respect, that our students deserve excellent services, that our school should function smoothly, and that our administration should provide support to good teaching.
As required by law, our union has negotiated with the school in good faith. Our primary concern was and still is having a positive school environment for our students and a fair workplace with due process for our teachers. Therefore, our contract outlines many items that are standard best practices in schools, but are often overlooked or blatantly violated at DCPA.
As required by law, our union has negotiated with the school in good faith. Our primary concern was and still is having a positive school environment for our students and a fair workplace with due process for our teachers. Therefore, our contract outlines many items that are standard best practices in schools, but are often overlooked or blatantly violated at DCPA.
I have believed several times that we had conceptual agreement on the major areas of the contract. Unfortunately, this has not resulted in a contract. Throughout the process the school has repeatedly delayed negotiations, blatantly ignored communications, and ignored requests for meetings and information. The school has even ignored communications from the state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Because of this, DSEA has filed for mediation on our behalf and will also be reaching out to policy makers and stakeholders on this matter.
Please note that this is not about money. In fact, we are not asking for any salary or benefit increases in this contract.
Our school is in trouble. This contract can help by making DCPA a safer environment for our kids, by enforcing a student code of conduct, and by empowering teachers to do their jobs without fear of retribution.
I am writing because we need your support to get DCPA on track. Please help us and help our school! Contact our Board President and Executive Director to urge our school to negotiate in good faith. Here is their contact information:
Howard Johnson, Executive Director
Howard.Johnson@dcpa.k12.de.us
302.762.7424 x151
Our school is in trouble. This contract can help by making DCPA a safer environment for our kids, by enforcing a student code of conduct, and by empowering teachers to do their jobs without fear of retribution.
I am writing because we need your support to get DCPA on track. Please help us and help our school! Contact our Board President and Executive Director to urge our school to negotiate in good faith. Here is their contact information:
Howard Johnson, Executive Director
Howard.Johnson@dcpa.k12.de.us
302.762.7424 x151
Yardise Jones, Board Presidentyardise.jones@yahoo.com
Stay informed. This is the first in a series of communications that will speak to major needs our school faces that we are attempting to address through collective bargaining.
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