To some, time is worth more than money.
That is the sentiment that lead to four teachers deciding not to
repeat as division chairs at San Benito High School this school
year.
Starting this year, division chairs are only given a stipend in
exchange for the extra responsibilities and duties. In the past,
division chairs were given a stipend and an extra prep period. Four
of last year’s nine division chairs did not return as chair because
of the lost prep period.
To some, time is worth more than money.
That is the sentiment that lead to four teachers deciding not to repeat as division chairs at San Benito High School this school year.
Starting this year, division chairs are only given a stipend in exchange for the extra responsibilities and duties. In the past, division chairs were given a stipend and an extra prep period. Four of last year’s nine division chairs did not return as chair because of the lost prep period.
“Time was worth more to them than money,” said Clete Bradford, SBHS math teacher and union president. “When you figure in the time put into (the job), the stipend is not worth it.”
Usually, a division’s best teachers are chairs. The administration didn’t want to see the best teachers taken away from teaching for more time than was necessary, said Superintendent Jean Burns Slater.
“We want our best teachers accommodating the students in the classroom,” Slater said.
To make up for the lost prep period, the district has taken away two duties – formal and informal classroom observations and “all other duties that are assigned.” Also, the number of meetings was decreased from every week to twice a month.
New this year, division chairs will get release days where a substitute will teach some or all of their periods so the chair can have time to take care of business, Slater said.
There is no clause in the teaching contract that division chairs have to receive a prep period, only that they receive a stipend, Slater said.
Teachers in the math division were so upset, no one would volunteer for the position. Interim Principal Duane Morgan is acting as math division chair. Upping class sizes this school year did not help either. Having more students means having more work, Bradford said.
Last year’s math chair, Dennis DeWall, said he wouldn’t have the time to be chair without the prep.
A division chair responsibilities include: reviewing course curriculum, reviewing standardized test scores, articulation with feeder schools, collecting parent input, setting up final exam schedules and ordering supplies.
