February 5, 2007 Update

**Check your personnel file- It's important to check the contents of your personnel file occasionally. The district is responsible for maintaining your file, but you have the right to see whatever is in it. Any letters of discipline, including a “memo,” MUST have been signed and acknowledged by you before they can be placed in your file. Here's how to check your file – submit to the HR department (Katie Ervin or Rita McDowell) a written request to see any and all files regarding your employment with USD #453. It's important to use those words, because it would include any information that might be kept in a separate file by your building principal. Set up an appointment to view the file, and be sure to take paper and a BLUE pen with you. Make a detailed table of contents that you can take home with you and put in a safe place. Number the pages in your personnel file by putting a very small number in a lower corner of each page with that blue ink pen. That way, you'll have an accurate record of what's in the file.

** Lateral Movement – New to the contract this year is a list of district-sponsored activities that will be good for lateral movement. Below is the part of Article 23 that addresses this issue. Be sure to take advantage of these opportunities.

Below is the language from the 2006-07 negotiated agreement that concerns this issue:

2. The following list of in-district staff development opportunities may be used for lateral movement on the salary schedule:

New Teacher Induction
Instructional Model
Professional Learning Communities
Thinking Maps
TESA
Positive Classroom Discipline
Positive Classroom Management
Tools for Teaching
Larry Bell presentations and workshops
Success for All
Direct Instruction
Renaissance Learning
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Math
Academy of Reading
Academy of Math
Integrade Pro
SASI
CPS
CRT Writing

Other activities may be used for lateral movement on the salary schedule under the following provisions:
(a) On a teacher's own time
(b) At non-district expense
(c) At an in-district sponsored in-service activity attended on the teacher's own time.
NOTE: In-service hours falling under the categories above are subject to prior approval of the building principal or a district level administrator.
3. One clock hour of in-service education equals one professional development point.
4. Twenty (20) professional development points equal one hour of college credit or one (1) lateral movement credit.
5. Professional development points earned must be reported to the appropriate building administrator within 30 days of the time the points were earned. Points earned between June 1 and August 1 must be turned in by September 1. (August 20 if requesting lateral movement for current year). Points not turned in within the specified time will not be allowed for lateral movement credit.
6. Only Professional development points accumulated during a 5-year period are useable for salary schedule movement.

**Bond Issue – Be aware of the upcoming bond issue. Attend community meetings and offer your help if you are so inclined. If you are a voter in the Leavenworth community, you have the right to campaign for or against the bond issue, as you see fit. Exercise your right to participate in the democratic process!