Teachers are permitted to participate in popular “work to rule” protests but still must fulfill their professional duties, even those that fall outside of contracted hours, the state told a Board of Education committee Tuesday.
The discussion was prompted by the board’s Human Resources Committee, which wanted clarification on what’s allowed and not allowed when it comes to the protests.
Hundreds of teachers at about 71 schools plan to participate in the next wave of protests Thursday.
It will be the third day since Nov. 15 that Hawaii teachers “work to the rule,” or work only the hours they are required to under their contract.
As part of the protests, teachers gather on sidewalks before and after school to wave signs instead of supervising clubs, participating in faculty meetings or conducting myriad other activities during hours for which they are not paid.
Committee Chairman Jim Williams said he asked for the briefing Tuesday and wanted to make clear that teachers are not responsible for working only their seven-hour contracted day.
Under the terms of an imposed contract offer, which is similar to contracts in previous years, teachers must work their contracted hours but additionally “devote considerable time outside of school hours to prepare for instruction” as part of their professional obligations. The contract also says teachers have a “supplemental professional obligation to participate in a reasonable amount of school-related activities.”
Williams said that it is a disservice to the profession to believe that teachers are only required to work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In holding the briefing, he said, he is not suggesting that teachers aren’t fulfilling their obligations by “working to the rule” one day a week.
“Teachers are professionals, and they will do what is needed,” he said.
Annette Anderson, Department of Education personnel specialist, briefed the committee, providing board members with a memo sent to principals and complex area superintendents Nov. 28 that spells out what is still expected of teachers who work to the rule.
The memo, from Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, said that teachers who have previously volunteered for a particular activity before or after classes may still be required to attend on protest days, since it would be considered a professional obligation.
The memo also notes that teachers cannot prepare for protests during the workday, cannot use school supplies for such things as signs and cannot organize students to participate in protests during school hours.
Working to the contract can be discussed with students as part of classroom instruction, as long as the information presented is objective.
Corey Rosenlee, a teacher at Campbell High and one of the organizers of the protests, said he has not heard any complaints from principals or other department personnel about the protests.
In response to the memo and potential concerns about the campaign, he said, “Instead of dealing with why teachers are working to the rule, they’re complaining about (the use of) paper and pens.”
The Hawaii State Teachers Association did not immediately return a call for comment.
HSTA is in talks for a contract that would begin July 1. The state and union met for the first time Nov. 14 to discuss a 2013-15 contract, and are scheduled to bargain again today.
The labor dispute with teachers began July 1, 2011, when the state unilaterally implemented a “last, best and final” contract offer with wage reductions and higher medical premiums.
