Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers

PFT Addressing School Closings, Accelerated Learning Academies, and Staffing Issues

The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers is working with the school district on all aspects of personnel matters in preparation for what will be a very difficult summer. The number of school closings, the development of the Accelerated Learning Academies, and changes and reductions in other district programs present us with challenges that are very unique. However, through close cooperation with the district and particularly with Human Resources, procedures have been put in place that will not only allow us to manage these changes in a fair and consistent manner, but also to effect personnel placements in a more timely manner than ever before.

The PFT met with the district as soon as the Superintendent’s Right-Sizing plan was announced and crafted the rules and procedures that govern all of the personnel placements resulting from the plan. These rules and procedures were based on the PFT Collective Bargaining Agreement and past practice. In addition, the PFT made the necessary revisions when the Superintendent revised his plan in February 2006.

In addition, the PFT, along with representatives from Human Resources, visited every school affected by the Right-Sizing plan and reviewed the rules and procedures with each faculty and worked to address any questions or concerns.

Procedures on staffing the Accelerated Learning Academies were also developed from past practice, which indicated that these schools were to be considered as new schools and, therefore, open to anyone in the school district who wished to apply.

In order to expedite the staffing of schools while expanding the opportunities for staff, the PFT and the district agreed to a modification of the standard posting dates for this year. Regular postings will occur on May 1, May 15, and June 1. The June 15 and July 1 postings will be combined as one this year and the new posting date will be June 22. This will allow for an expanded amount of time for interviews and will also help the district make all placements earlier than has been the case in the past.

As a result of the new PFT Collective Bargaining Agreement, there has been a revision to the Staff Selection process this year that will allow more senior teachers and displaced teachers to receive some preference when it comes to interviews. Where there are more than ten applicants for a position, the site-based teams will interview the top 25% most senior applicants and 25% of the displaced teachers selected at random by Human Resources and the PFT. The number of displaced teachers interviewed will be reduced by any who may already be part of the senior applicant pool to be interviewed.

The PFT will be working with the district to do everything possible to avoid layoffs. We will make sure that every position is filled with a contracted teacher by monitoring the filling of vacancies, the number of retirements, and even using positions that are created through leaves of absence.

However, we recognize that with close to 900 teachers and others displaced, we could face the possibility of layoffs. Individuals who could be laid off must be notified by August 1, and by staffing earlier we will have a more realistic picture of what the actual layoff picture is. The PFT will update our membership as to where areas of concern will be, but, at this point, it is really too early to give a definitive answer. However, the PFT will be particularly monitoring elementary certified positions, as well as Family and Consumer Science, Health and Physical Education, Industrial Arts, and, of course, all paraprofessional positions, as there have been a number of cuts there, as well.

Of course, layoffs will be minimized through attrition as people retire or otherwise leave the district. If any persons are sure they are going to retire, they should notify the district as soon as possible, because early notice will help staff our remaining colleagues who need placements.

The PFT is determined to make sure that people are treated fairly, that rules and procedures are followed consistently, and that your concerns are addressed in a timely manner. The PFT will do all it can to help our members get through this very difficult time. If you have any questions concerning seniority, placements, or issues concerning Human Resources, please feel free to call upon us for assistance. You can submit questions through the PFT website www.pft400.org. Click on the red “PFT Members Are Invited to Submit Questions” link. Or, you can contact Sherman Shrager, PFT Vice-President and Human Resources Liaison, directly at 412-431-5900.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Mark Roosevelt recently met with PFT Building Representatives. To read a report by Kathy Ramos on that meeting, visit the PFT website www.pft400.org and click on “Superintendent Meets with PFT Building Representatives.”

John Tarka Rufus Jordan Mary VanHorn Sherman Shrager

President Vice-President Vice-President Vice-President

George Gensure Sylvia Wilson Nina Esposito-Visgitis

Staff Representative Assistant to President Staff Representative