Common use of Teaching Load/Assignment Clause in Contracts

Teaching Load/Assignment. 6.1. Principals have the right to assign unit members as necessary to develop the master schedule. In addition, the following provisions shall apply. 6.1.1. The District and DTA have a shared interest in defining a transparent process to assign unit members instructional classes and schedules. 6.1.2. Site administrators will work collaboratively with department chairs to develop schedules that make every effort to meet the needs of students. 6.1.3. All tentative teaching assignments for the next school year will be made and communicated to unit members prior to the end of the current school year. Any changes made after the close of the current school year will be communicated to affected unit members as soon as possible. 6.1.4. The process to design the master schedule and assign unit members will include the following steps: 6.1.4.1. Unit members will have the opportunity to submit requests in writing to department chairs for courses and preferred schedule(s) during the spring semester. 6.1.4.2. Department chairs will make recommendations to site administrators based on input from department members. 6.1.4.3. Seventh period assignments should be distributed among those who volunteer for a seventh period, whenever possible, so long as such assignment does not interfere with other school programs or activities. If there are no volunteers for a given subject, the District has the right to assign members to teach a 7th period. 6.1.4.4. Unit members who disagree with their tentative assignment may request reconsideration by the site principal, whose decision shall be final. 6.1.4.5. The parties share a mutual goal in limiting the number of course preparations for any one teacher during each academic year. 6.1.4.6. Combined, multilevel courses taught during one (1) period are considered to be one prep. 6.1.5. As of the 2022-2023 school year, classes will begin no earlier than 8:30 AM and end no later than 3:45 PM at Saratoga High School and 3:55 PM at Los Gatos High School. Schools will follow any statewide mandate for start/end times. The daily school bell schedules for each site (which may differ) shall be developed by a committee that includes members of the bargaining unit, and shall be adopted by the District following collaboration with each site’s staff to reflect the best interests of students at each site. 6.1.6. Class load shall be the equivalent of five (5) teaching periods plus one (1) prep period. Preparation periods are designated for preparation, planning conferring with students, parents, and colleagues. and other occasional activities designated by the site principal.