reduced workload dilema | Arthritis Information

 

Tomorrow I meet with the head of human resources in our school district about my work assignment next year. I have been working at a high school for the last 11 1/2 years as a resource specialist working with LD  Hispanic students.Due to my problems with the RA and skin cancer, I requested some accommodations which have pretty much been ignored for the last several years.I think I could work a normal 7 hour day, but I am expected to put in additional hours at no extra pay, sometimes as many as 9 or 10 a day. On top of this I have a 45 minute commute each way. I am supposed to work with no more than 28 students but I always have more and the paperwork is horrendous. Anyway, after going through the union, they have suggested that I ask for a half time position through the district next year.  I would get to keep my health benefits which I really need and it would be counted as a full year toward retirement.

The dilema is they are requesting that I change schools in our district and start over with a completely different age group. This would involve a curriculum that I have never taught before. They refuse to let me teach part time at my school and hire another person for the other half of my job.There is also no guarantee that I will be allowed to continue at this new school for the 3 1/2 years I need to keep working before my health benefits kick in and I can retire.

I have days when I can do the full time job and others when I am so tired I can hardly think straight. If I keep the full time job, The probability of me keeping the job is much higher. Help! Any suggestions.  Oh yea They want me to decide immediately.  They will offer a half time position and expect me to give an answer within a day or two. I don't even know if I'll have times to research the offers.

Teri, If you read this, I'd especially value your opinion.

Linda, why cant they guarantee you the number of years you need if you go part time? What does your union think about the choices you are having to make?Linda,

I would think that the union can help you with this.  If you can work the full day with accomadations, then the union should be helping you get those accomadations.  I know how hard it is to work with the case load you have. More than 28 LD EL students is outrageous. Based on that alone, they need to hire at least a 1/2 time teacher for your school.  In my district we don't have to give our intent to return until June, yet they are pushing for us to sign now.  I'm waiting until I see the rheumy in May. 

Tell them you need time to discuss the options with your dr. as well. I would ask your union rep to go with you to the meeting.  No school district is in a position to push to hard on special ed teachers as there are not enough credentialed that meet the NCLB requirements.  I know we are losing 2 at the end of our school year alone. 
Crunchy, The contract states that a teacher can't be guaranteed a position in the same school each year. I would be guaranteed the years, but they could send me to a new school each year.  Technically, they could have moved me any time they wanted in the last 11 1/2 years but because I was full time and tenured they didn't want to. Also, I am at the top of the pay scale and have a lot of education so they wouldn't mind having me go and replacing me with someone who would earn half my salary.The union is limited to enforcing whatever is in the contract.It's amazing, districts will hire a fresh out of college teacher, and by pass an experienced teacher with wonderful refrences, because of money!  Ticks me off!!  Thanks Crunchy and God bless you Teri. I knew I could count on you. The union is supporting me but advised me against pushing for accommodations.  I have many doctors ' notes stating my limitations but the district refused to honor them if I didn't get examined by their independent doctor.The union lawyer said If I went to their doctor they could then say I wasn't fit to work and could fire me. They suggested the reduced workload program.  When I meet tomorrow, I will have the list of accommodations requested by the doctors but they are negotioable. The whole thing is really scary. I have a lot to lose. This district is really corrupt. My other options are to get an independent lawyer and sue the district but then I wouldn't be able to work in the district again (or probably any other one), or to try to hang in with the full time job. I'm not completely disabled although I have thought about getting a second rheumatologist to evaluate me. I think you have to be unable to do any work to get disability retirement.Sounds like you have covered your bases.  What about asking for an aid half time or full time in your class?  not a student, but a real person!  LOL And refusal to meet the accomadations?  that's absurd!  Why is it that the districts are so miserable!!

Another thought, agree to the full time next year, and if it becomes way to much for whatever reason, before second semester, give the district plenty of notice, that you will be needing to go to half time.  I know 3 1/2 yrs seems like an eternity right now, but it's not, and with the health concerns it's definitely worth it to try to stick it out for the health benefits. 

Also contact a lawyer about the disability issues... they should be able to discern the amount of disability necessary to recieve full benefits.
Teri, I like your idea.  I think I may go that route if I don't like the terms of what I 'm offered. Maybe I should see an independent lawer anyway.  My husband thought I should all along,b ut it's so expensive and the union offered me one for free.One more thing just crossed my mind, is your paper work done on computer or still hand filled out forms?  If it's done on computer, what about one of those voice programs that you train to your voice so you don't have to type so much?  The district might even splurge for that as an accomadation. Linda,

As someone who knows nothing about the internal politics of a school, but a lot about the workings of corporations, I'd say - be careful here. I don't know about your district, but ours is having a financial crunch, and they're looking for ways to get rid of older, tenured teachers. I know that within corporations, they sometimes fight dirty, the union reps sometimes have their own political angle. It's not fair that they're not giving you enough time to think this through. They obviously don't want to accommodate you. Try to find a way to make them do it without giving them ammunition against you. Good luck!

I don't believe that they are following the federal law in accomodating your disability. Check out this link before you meet with them. Somewhere on the site there is particular info on RA and Fibro.

Fight for what you need. Why do they make it so damn hard?

Good luck

   Linda, I'm with your husband. You should consult with a lawyer. There are lawyers who won't charge you unless they win the case and then they take a percentage of the settlement. The school district can't fired you if you bring legal action against them.
   Hopefully, this meeting will resolve the issue in your favor. I hope that you bring your union rep with you as you have the right. Don't go at this alone, make sure that you have a person, who's for you, with you when ever you meet with the district. It's called protecting your butt.
   I get soooo upset when I see people being taken advange of and the school district is banking on the fact that you won't fight them.

   MarisaWent to my meeting with the human resources yesterday with our union president and the union's legal representative.  They told me to let them do the talking which I did.  I get one week to make up my mind about staying at my present job full time (with my accomodations consolodated into one letter. The union wants me to not include a few accommodations that might conflict with my ability to do the whole job and give them grounds for dismissing me.) or, to accept a reduced half time position at a new school with a different grade level. The union is hoping I accept this half time offer.  I will be seeing one other non union lawyer hopefully before I have to make up my mind. If i anger the district, I could be in for a very hard time.  I might win the battle but loose the war because they can make life rough for me. 

Linda,

I hope this works out well for you. It sounds very stressful and upsetting which makes everything worse. I routing for you.

Deanna

Thanks Denna, It is stressful. I'm in the middle of a horrible flare with headache, irritable bowel and metetrexate aftermath. I know the stress is really contributing. Hopefully, when I've made the decision, I can move on.
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