President's Remarks to the School Board, August 13, 2013

Remarks to the Gloucester County School Board

August 13, 2013

Brian J. McGovern, President

Gloucester Education Association

Good evening Mr. Chairman, Members of the School Board, Dr. Kiser, Members of the Administration:  Brian McGovern; Abingdon, GHS teacher, GEA president.  As the voice of GEA, I often find myself in positions I do not relish.  Being in a position to speak on behalf of GEA members in opposing a proposed policy is one such instance.  In this case, I refer to the proposed policy allowing the extension of teacher probationary periods to 5 years.

If this policy is adopted tonight, teachers will be informed between now and next Monday August 19th of the change, applicable as of that date.  As you know, the legislation providing for a five year probationary period was passed by the General Assembly in this year’s session:  A political compromise between those who wished to place teachers on 5-year renewable probationary periods, also referred to as term contracts, and those who recognized that a 3 year probationary period was the maximum standard in any profession.  

After eight days of reflection and consultation, I have numerous questions regarding this policy:

1.  Why is there is no written requirement for any administrator to explain to the teacher or the School Board why the probationary period is being extended or no required support plan to help the teacher improve?

2.  In the absence of ANY such written language requirements, are teachers simply to accept, in blind faith, that all administrators willalways act in good faith and in the best interest of the teachers and their students?

3.  In the absence of ANY aforementioned language requirement, what will prevent this policy from simply becoming a standard 5 year probationary period over time? 

4.  In light of the fact that few other divisions in the Commonwealth are proposing such a policy change, why does Gloucester County wish to do so?  Last December, a majority of this School Board voted to adopt the Resolution Supporting (then) Current Continuing Contract Law.  One of the arguments againstthat resolution was that no other division in the area was adopting such a resolution.   Does that same rationale not apply with this policy?

5.  Do not many policies adopted by this School Board contain specific language, provisions and processes in the enforcement of such policies such as the new attendance policy, the RIF policy, the grievance policy, and the civility policy, to name a few of many?

6.  With the civility policy, (a collaborative effort between Gloucester County Public Schools and GEA), there is a list of “School Board beliefs” and “desired outcomes” regarding the issue.  What are the beliefs and desired outcomes of this policy and why are they not also enumerated within the policy?

7.  As was the case with all of the aforementioned policies, there were problems which were being remedied through these policy adoptions.  What problems exist in the current probationary policy which need corrected?  Are not most teachers performing on a satisfactory, and very often, an exemplary level after three years, five years, ten, twenty and thirty years?  Have not Gloucester County teachers delivered fully accredited schools, numerous awards, and received accolades at public meetings, in valedictory addresses and the media? 

8.  In light of the results of the GEA survey the past two years, what effect will this policy have on an already abysmal morale situation? 

9.  Are not all building administrators highly qualified and equipped to identify and cultivate qualified teachers within three years of employment?    Would this not be a reasonable expectation for any supervisor in any profession, public or private?  (When I was in personnel management, I was required to make this judgment within six months.)

10.  What will the reaction be of current probationary employees when informed that their probationary period may be two years longer than what they were told?  If a potential new teacher is able to choose between many divisions which require a three year probationary period, and one which may require five years, which one will they choose?

The General Assembly has given you the authority to hire teachers and keep them on probation for five years.  The General Assembly has also given you the authority to maintain the current policy of three years, the maximum in any profession.

Members of the School Board, please don’t adopt this policy. I thank you for hearing my comments.