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ODE
The Voice of DeKalb Education
100 Crescent Centre Parkway Suite 290 Tucker Georgia 30084 Tel (678) 837-1170 Fax (678) 837-1178
An Affiliate of the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE)
and the National Education Association (NEA)
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ODE Calendar
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Keep up to date with schedules and events
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March Legislative Update
Please join Rep. Stacey Abrams (HD-84), Sen. Jason Carter (SD-42),
and Sen. Emanuel Jones (SD-10)
Date: Saturday, March 12, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Oakhurst Presbyterian Church
188 2nd Avenue
Decatur, GA 30030
TOPICS INCLUDE:
•2011 and 2012 Budget Proposals
•Tax Reform Legislation
•Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Schools
•Key Legislation
____________________
All persons are welcome to attend. This event is FREE. Light refreshments will be served
For questions, please contact
Ashley Robinson, Chief of Staff at 404-656-5058
or email staceyabrams@gmail.com
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Representative Stacey Abrams (House District 84) serves as Minority Leader for the Georgia House of Representatives.
District 84 includes Candler Park, Columbia, Druid Hills, East Lake, Highland Park, Kelley Lake, Kirkwood, Lake Claire, Oakhurst, unincorporated South DeKalb, Toney Valley and Tilson.
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Senator Jason Carter (Senate District 42) is Secretary of the Science and Technology Committee of the Georgia Senate. Sen. Carter represents parts of North DeKalb, Central DeKalb, the City of Atlanta and Decatur.
Senator Emanuel Jones (Senate District 10) is the Secretary of the Interstate Coorperation Committee of the Georgia Senate.
Sen. Jones represents parts of DeKalb and Henry Counties, including the Cities of Decatur and McDonough.
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What You Need to Know About
What's Happening Right Now
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Do You Need Help?
If you've been contacted by the PSC or law enforcement officials regarding alleged CRCT cheating, contact GAE Legal Service ASAP.
Call GAE at
678-837-1100 or 800-282-7142.
Talk to GAE before you talk to anyone else.
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Talk to Your ODE/GAE
UniServ Director
Do you have other questions about this situation?
Do you need assistance?
Talk to your ODE/GAE UniServ Director (UD).
>> Find your UD here <<
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Or call ODE at
(678) 837-1170
How You Can Help:
Keep us posted on what's happening at your school and with your colleagues.
Talk to ODE.
"While we do not condone cheating, we expect a fair process--and that our members' rights will be honored."
--David Schutten
ODE Presdident
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ODE Members:
As many of you have heard by now, 24 DeKalb educators were removed from the classroom and administrative offices due to allegations of CRCT cheating. Currently, these employees have been temporarily reassigned while the state investigates their certification.
While, neither the Organization of DeKalb Educators (ODE) nor the Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) condone cheating of any kind, we do stand committed to protecting the rights of all members.
Currently, there is no direct evidence of cheating. ODE is in the process of gathering information.
Rest assured, ODE and GAE will be there to defend, counsel, and assist any member who needs us. We'll be there. Remember this: As an ODE member, you never stand alone. Never.
Our ultimate goal is to get good teachers back in the classroom and good educators back to their schools.
I promise to keep you informed of the latest developments as we find out more. If, at any point, you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Sincerely,
David Schutten
ODE President
Email David
What ODE is doing to HELP
We stand by our members and for our members. That's always been our promise to you. That will always be our promise to you.
Here's what we're doing to help.
For any members affected by this situation, we're matching them with UniServ Directors skilled in member defense. ODE UniServ Directors are available to go with members to any meetings with the school system's internal investigators.
We will be there to make sure that our members are treated fairly, equally, and with the respect they deserve as professional educators.
While our UDs assist members, the GAE Legal Department is contacting the PSC to see what its next moves will be and how those moves will affect our members.
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Controlling Your Career:
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Grievance Procedure
Know Your Rights
1. What is a grievance?
An individual may file a formal complaint against a public school employee who has misapplied or violated a school board policy, procedure, state statute or federal law within ten calendar days of the last occurrence.
2. Where do I get a copy of the grievance procedure?
A copy of the DeKalb County School System Board of Education policy manual is kept in the school media center and the principal’s office. The grievance procedures for Certified Personnel Code 3450 and for Classified Personnel Code 3460 are listed in the policy manual. Copies may also be obtained at the DeKalb County Board of Education office.
3. Is there anything that cannot be grieved?
Employment issues such as: Termination, Non-renewal, Demotion, Suspension and Reprimands can not be grieved but are covered by other Georgia laws. GAE legal representation is provided for its members who are experiencing any of these employment concerns.
4. Communication is the key!
All employees should be able to work in an environment in which they can achieve and perform at their highest potential. You owe it to yourself and your career to communicate your needs to your manager.
Set up a conference to articulate your present working situation. Identify your needs and present a viable solution. Request positive feedback. follow up the conference with a memorandum of your understanding. If no action is taken, you can proceed through the chain of command to address the issues or initiate the grievance procedure.
5. How do I file a grievance?
- Acquire the proper grievance form Code 3450 or Code 3450.
- List name, address and telephone numbers.
- Record the date of the occurrence of the most recent incident.
- List what statute, policy, rule, or written agreement, which has been violated, misapplied or misinterpreted.
- List the specific facts or events and explain how the misapplications or violations have affected your employment relationship.
- State the relief you are seeking.
- Sign, date and submit the form.
6. How does the process work?
Once the grievance is filed, a hearing date is assigned. Representation at a Level One hearing is prohibited by Georgia law, but is allowed at Levels Two and Three.
The building level administrator usually hears the Level One complaint. Witnesses can be called and questioned.
The hearing officer must report his/her findings in writing within ten days of the hearing. If the employee is not satisfied with the resolution, he/she may file an appeal to the next level. A third and final appeal may be made to the school board.
7. Can evaluations be grieved?
The content of an evaluation can not be grieved, but procedural violations can.
Sign the evaluation and check that you will be writing a response to the evaluation. Indicate that your signature only signifies that you have received the document and does not mean that you are in agreement with its content. Follow through by writing a response and filing an appeal if necessary.
8. Will the association help?
A team of volunteer members have been trained to help you determine if you should file a grievance or peruse alternative resolutions. Your GAE UniServ Director is available to assist.
9. What documents are important?
- Maintain current certification
- Review contract annually
- Keep current salary schedule and step increases
- Initiate pre and post evaluation conferences
- Keep all evaluation reports
- Clarify in writing questionable comments on memos and evaluations
- Locate, read and know school board policies and procedures
- Keep a log of absences
- Record assigned duties and responsibilities
- Document and communicate completion of assigned duties
- Maintain a personal file which includes: achievements, honors, awards, grants, letters of accommodations, etc.
- Communicate often with co-workers and the administration
- Keep a professional journal
- Journals should include:
- Who was present
- What was discussed
- When did this happen
- Where did this occur
- How did this happen
- Why did this happen
Remember: Written documents are powerful tools in factual disputes.
10. What to do when facing employment difficulties?
DO
- Notify your association representative and local association president
- Call your UniServ Director
- Maintain detailed, accurate, written records
- Follow your line of authority
DO NOT
- Resign
- Issue threats
- Let personalities become the issue
- Involved your student and parents
- Take your case to the media
- Seek outside help
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