Collective+Agreement+-+Pro-D

= L.F.2 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS = L.F.2.1 Two of the five professional development days shall be set aside for common District-wide professional development for all teachers during each school year. These days shall be chosen by the Association in consultation with the Superintendent of Schools prior to April 30 in the preceding year. L.F.2.2 These two (2) professional development days shall be jointly organized and funded by the Board and the Association. Any activities jointly planned shall be funded separate from and in addition to the Joint Professional Development Fund. L.F.2.3 The remaining professional development days will be used for school-based professional development.

= Letter of Agreement – Professional Development Days =

This agreement between the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association and the Greater Victoria School District (#61) is made without prejudice or precedence in this or any other School District.

The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association and the Greater Victoria School District (#61) will make a joint effort to ensure that this becomes part of a mid-contract modification. In the event that the mid-contract modification is not accepted by the BC Public School Employers’ Association or the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, the agreement shall remain in effect and will only be reviewed upon agreement of the Board and the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association.

The actual dates for the non-instructional days will be determined each year in accordance with article F.2.1.

Provincial and District Professional Development Days The professional development days in October and February referred to in Articles F.2.1 and F.2.2 of the Collective Agreement will be planned as specified. The October day is considered to be a Provincial Specialist Association day and the February day is considered to be a District Local Specialist Association day for a District Conference.

School based Professional Development Days The three days referred to in F.2.31 and the Ministry non-instructional day as per the School Act, School Calendar Regulation 9(1), will be planned by the schools in accordance with A.12. All teachers will have the opportunity to be involved in the planning for these days. It is agreed that no dispute shall arise so long as all days are planned in accordance with A.12.

Prior to May 31st of the previous year, the Board, in consultation with the GVTA, will determine which two of the school based four days are days in which teachers will participate in a school- based professional development activity or a self-directed professional development activity. If asked, teachers will inform their principal of their plans for the day.

The remaining two school based days are days in which teachers shall participate in a school- based professional development activity. If a teacher wishes to undertake a self-directed professional development activity, there must be agreement between the teacher and the principal. One of these two days shall be the Ministry non-instructional day.

If a particular school wishes to change the dates of which two days require agreement between the teacher and principal, the school administration and school staff committee shall agree on alternate dates, subject to the approval of the Superintendent.

The parties shall have a joint committee that will meet at least once annually to discuss issues relevant to Professional Development.

For the 2007-2008 school year, prior to September 17th, 2007, the Superintendent, in consultation with the GVTA, shall determine which two professional development days are days on which a teacher and principal must agree for teachers wishing to do self-directed professional development activities.

During the force of this agreement the GVTA Pro-D action plan of September 2007, related to this agreement will cease. Teachers will be advised of the Letter of Agreement. Any violations of this letter of agreement will be subject to the grievance procedure as outlined in Article A.6 of the Collective Agreement.