rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/reclaim-our-time?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-reclaim-our-time' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Metropolitan Nashville Education Association https://actionnetwork.org/groups/metropolitan-nashville-education-association https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/petitions/photos/000/309/876/normal/Reclaim_Our_Time.png IT'S TIME TO DEMAND SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE WORKING CONDITIONS FOR EDUCATORS, SUPPORT STAFF, AND BUS DRIVERS! The Problem Staffing Shortages The district currently has hundreds of unfilled positions--bus drivers, support staff, and certificated employees The substitute teacher pool is meager, leaving jobs open Bus driver workforce is significantly diminished and drivers are having to run multiple routes Safety Breaches Staffing vacancies compromise ability to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols Inconsistency in contact tracing across the district Classes are being split, adding to the number of students in a classroom Social distancing, which is already difficult, becomes impossible New Curricula Wit & Wisdom lesson plans take hours to put together Preparation for collaborative lesson planning takes additional time Not all materials required for lesson implementation are provided, resulting in teachers having to pay out of their own pockets for materials New Initiatives The district is asking teachers to do the following, on top of their instructional duties: Wit & Wisdom, My Perspectives, Sown to Grow, Navigators, Attendance Assessments Teachers are spending upwards of thirty hours a week outside of school hours and are still unable to keep up with the demands The Risks Compromised instruction When teachers are out, instruction suffers. If students are split, they are not receiving the same attention they would if there was a designated substitute. In addition, the teacher who has to house the split students is further burdened by the additional requirements of classroom management. If support staff are pulled away from their assigned duties, their students are not receiving necessary services Students are arriving after classes have begun and returning home long after the school day is over Endangered Mental Health Teachers, support staff, and bus drivers have been pushed to the brink. The demands that are being placed on them, in the midst of a significant staffing shortage that they are having to make up for, is unsustainable. They are losing their planning time to cover classes, unreasonable demands around planning for new curriculum, and other district initiatives. Even when the MOU is adhered to strictly, there is no possible way for teachers to get all of these things done in the limited time they are given during the school day. In the face of bus driver shortages, certificated employees have to cover duties that keep them at the school long after the end of the school day. Risks to community health and safety When a sub job is not filled, classes are: a) being split into other classes b) covered by support staff c) herded into a large group in one area d) covered by teachers who are on planning e) covered by other certificated staff with already overwhelming workloads When classes are split, more bodies in one room means increased risk for everyone in that room Lack of sufficient PPE endangers everyone The Solution Increased COVID-19 safety protocols and transparency, including consistency in application of mask regulations and contact tracing. This includes COVID-19 isolation rooms, sufficient PPE, as well as cleaning supplies and training for custodial staff. Increased substitute teacher pay so that classes are not split or uncovered, and compensate support staff equal with educators when pulled to cover classrooms. Strict adherence to MOU regarding planning time, meeting requirements and at least 30 min duty free lunch for both educators and support staff. Fair compensation for work performed outside of instructional duties, OR a release from that work Reduction of initiatives required by the district Aggressive recruitment of bus drivers and support staff by increasing wages and providing premium pay for additional work Direct support from school administration for bus drivers https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/reclaim-our-time