The primary point of discussion in negotiations has been whether or not teachers could choose to work remotely. Early on, both parties agreed that employees with medical issues would be considered for remote work, but could not agree upon whether or not other reasons for remote work would be considered.
The agreed-upon Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) states, “The District’s hope and intention is that during exclusive distance learning, unit members will report on-site to provide instruction from their classrooms. The District believes this provides the best educational environment for students. However, the District will provide a waiver process for unit members who seek to work remotely for COVID-19-related reasons…” and that such waiver is subject to terms and conditions.
In addition to addressing conditions regarding working remotely, the MOU addresses a long list of other issues, including staff safety, employee leaves, and accountability related to Distance Learning.
The District’s goal is to represent and advocate for children’s educational needs in everything it does. For that reason, they firmly believed that teachers should report to work in their classrooms because it is best for our students.
“Ukiah Unified wants to provide the best Distance Learning education possible for our children, and the District maintains our commitment that all UUSD employees are expected to report to work. However, there are some specific circumstances where teachers and other staff will be allowed to work from home with additional accountability protocols built into their day,” commented UUSD Board of Trustees President Anne Molgaard.
During negotiations with the teachers’ union, the District communicated their various reasons why their staff is expected to work on-site:
- Our teachers need and deserve a workplace that is free from distraction so that they can focus 100% of their attention on the students they are responsible for educating.
- Students will benefit from seeing their teachers in their classrooms. A classroom environment, by design, sets an expectation for learning and engagement.
- At their worksite, teachers have access to the multitude of materials and supplies they need to teach and learn.
- At their worksite, teachers have access to reliable and robust internet capability and speed. UUSD facilities are known for the best broadband internet in Mendocino County, exceeding most commercial internet providers’ capacity.
- When working on-site, teachers have access to their colleagues to learn from each other, support each other, and continue quality Professional Learning Community (PLC) interactions. The District has invested in a significant amount of support for teachers and the learning process. While on-site, our teachers and staff will have more efficient access to support from their School Counselors, Student Success Coordinators, Family Community Liaisons, Paraprofessional Aides, and other teaching and learning specialists.
- When working on-site, teachers will have easy access to technical support from our Information Technology staff. At times, this support will be needed immediately or in short order not to disrupt the learning process.
- If teachers are working on-site, a principal has more opportunity to provide support and oversight to staff.
- Working on-site now will ease the transition from Distance Learning to a Hybrid Model when it is safe for students to physically return to school.
According to the State of California Public Health Order, school employees are considered essential critical infrastructure workers. These workers and their worksites are essential to “ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security” and are thus exempt from the shelter-in-place orders. (Schools are listed in Section 8, #13. https://covid19.ca.gov/essential-workforce/)
Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher, principal, district office, or any school board member with questions or concerns during Distance Learning. “Don’t wait,” said Molgaard. “If you have any questions or your child needs help during Distance Learning, contact your teacher immediately. We have additional resources to support our students. Although we realize this school year will provide many challenges and changes, we are committed to a high-quality, consistent, and equitable program for our students.”
Since May, the District has worked collaboratively with teachers to design multiple educational programs to fit the community health conditions. “We have every intention to eventually return our students to the classroom as soon as health conditions allow because we know that for most students, being in a classroom with a highly trained teacher, is the best educational approach. Due to the current health conditions, however, it is necessary to open school with Distance Learning. We are grateful to have settled negotiations with a shared commitment from the District and UTA to provide a consistent, equitable, and rigorous Distance Learning program. We look forward to welcoming our students back to school on August 17th,” said UUSD Superintendent Deb Kubin.
Ukiah Unified School District’s Distance Learning plans can be found here. For more information, please contact UUSD Communications Officer Doug Shald at (707) 472-5005 or [email protected].