Part IV, Section L, is the long-standing teacher contract provision for meaningful faculty involvement, and its key points are:

• “The involvement of teachers in the decision-making process is vital to the continued improvement of the educational program.”
• “This involvement must provide meaningful opportunities for input of ideas, needs, and goals of all groups affected, rather than a vote on the issue.”
• “The decision is the responsibility of the administrators held accountable.”

• All faculty members (not just “regular classroom teachers”) are part of the professional learning community and should have the opportunity to give input.
• The survey is not a vote. The survey provides input for the learning team to digest and consider in developing a year-long, comprehensive plan.
• Ultimately, the principal is responsible for the decisions on implementation - especially if consensus is not reached when the learning team digests the faculty input.

Each member of the faculty should have the opportunity to answer one question: What do you think are the collaborative planning needs of this faculty?

By contract, “it is the responsibility of the administration and learning team to digest the faculty involvement and present a year-long comprehensive plan to the staff …”

The learning team should make certain the comprehensive plan for the school’s 12 hours provides for engaging all teachers in meaningful conversations.