Know Your Contract

By OGEA Vice President, Bob Prola

Length of the School Day -- Article 14

Are you aware that Article 14.1 defines the hours that you are required to work? If you are being told something else, please speak with your OGEA representative immediately.
Article 14.1: “All unit members shall be at their workstations seven and one-quarter (7-1/4) hours per day exclusive of the lunch period… Psychologists shall work an eight (8) hour day exclusive of a thirty (30) minute duty-free lunch.”

OGEA Members Who Are Required to Substitute

TOSAs who are required to substitute teach are entitled to compensation of $90 per day in addition to their regular pay. (article 14.17)
RSP teachers who are required to substitute in general education for a day are entitled to compensation of $90 per day in addition to their regular pay. There is a limit of 4 days per year that an RSP teacher can be required to sub. (article 14.18)
Intermediate school teachers cannot be required to substitute, but can volunteer to cover a class on their prep period for extra pay. (article 14.6.2)

Class Size -- Article 15

Are you aware that class sizes and caseloads for OGEA members are outlined in Article 15? (There are a few updates pending ratification of our most recent tentative agreements with the district.)
Grades TK-3 – There is a district wide average of 24 to 1 with PPF funds paid for 25/26 students. (article 15.1)
Grades 4-6 – Class size is 32 to 1 with PPF funds paid for 33/34 students. (article 15.2)
Grades 7-8 – 175 student contacts per day in all classes with 35 students per period in ELA, ELD, math, science and social studies. PPF funds are paid for 36/37 students. (article 15.3)
PPF funds are outlined in article 15.4.
SDC caseloads are outlined in article 15.8 and vary depending on which type of class is taught.
SLP caseloads are not to exceed the average of 55 students. (article 15.9)
RSP caseloads are 28 to 1. (article 15.10) There is an MOU that allows RSP teachers to exceed this caseload, if they consent, for extra pay.
Article 15 also contains language for counselors, nurses, and (pending ratification) new language for psychologists.

Grievances -- Article 7

Are you aware that any OGEA member may file a grievance if your contract has been violated? You should hold an informal meeting with your supervisor to attempt to resolve the problem first.
You are not required to get approval from an OGEA officer prior to filing a grievance, although we are available to help. The paperwork is available as an appendix at the end of the contract.
Administrators are not allowed to retaliate if you file a grievance.