FAQ on Banking Time

Banking Time in 2008-09

Frequently Asked Questions

What is banking time?
How should the use of each day of banked time be determined?
If the entire day should be collaboratively planned, why do some principals insist that they plan half of the day and the teachers plan the other half?
Can the principal hold staff meetings on the released time?
Who is eligible to vote on banking time?
Does "teachers" include speech pathologists, DTs, social workers, and other non-classroom professionals?
What if a teacher is assigned to your school part-time - such as one day a week.
Why is a teacher not voting the equivalent of a no vote?
Is there flexibility on requiring a majority of those voting if the vote is very close?
Are permit teachers and interns eligible to vote?
Are day-to-day teachers currently working at your school eligible to vote?
Are substitute teachers eligible?
What if the BR does not conduct a vote on banking time for next school year?

What is banking time?: The basic concept of banking time is to set aside a block of time, without students, for teacher planning/preparation, staff planning, and staff development. This time is banked by increasing the instructional time about 10 minutes each pupil day during the school year. The additional instructional time comes from "teacher preparation/special help supervision or team planning."

The length of the teacher workday is not increased under banking time.
How should the use of each day of banked time be determined?: The teachers and principal should collaboratively plan all banking time activities for the entire day.
If the entire day should be collaboratively planned, why do some principals insist that they plan half of the day and the teachers plan the other half?: Unfortunately, some principals do not take a collaborative approach to planning.

To address this problem, the contract states: "The time will be used for activities leading to improved academic achievements (e.g., staff planning, staff development, and teacher preparation/planning). The teachers on the staff shall determine the use of at least half of each release block and may decide that such time will be available for individual preparation/planning."

The first sentence retains the original intent of jointly planning the entire day. The activities are most effective when the faculty and principal work together to plan the use of the days.

The second sentence provides teachers with a guarantee that the use of at least half of each day will be determined by the teachers - even in schools where the teachers and the principal do not collaboratively plan the whole day. This guarantee of at least half of each day for individual preparation/planning cannot be waived unless a majority of the teachers at a school vote to do so.
Can the principal hold staff meetings on the released time?: The time is intended for teacher preparation/ planning, staff planning and staff development, not routine staff meetings.
Who is eligible to vote on banking time?: All teachers (members and fair share) permanently assigned to your school are eligible to vote.
Does "teachers" include speech pathologists, DTs, social workers, and other non-classroom professionals?: Yes. All teachers covered by the teacher contract are eligible to vote. This includes: speech pathologists, DTs, social workers, specialists, OTs, DTs, ESL teachers, elementary guidance counselors, and traveling music teachers.
What if a teacher is assigned to your school part-time - such as one day a week.: Teachers assigned part-time are eligible to vote - even if they're at your school one day a week.

You should take steps to make certain all eligible teachers have the opportunity. If a teacher does not vote, it is equivalent to a no vote.
Why is a teacher not voting the equivalent of a no vote?: The underlying principle is that the contract should not be modified unless at least the majority of a school staff votes.

For example, suppose 20 teachers at a school voted for banking time and only two voted no. However, suppose there were 60 teachers at this school, and 38 did not vote. If the standard of at least the majority of those eligible to vote were not followed, a third of the faculty would modify the contract for the entire staff.
Is there flexibility on requiring a majority of those voting if the vote is very close?: No. The contract section on banking time is clear:

"Individual schools will be permitted to request a modification of the teaching day if at least 51 percent of the teachers on the staff at each school vote in favor of the full day student release time."
Are permit teachers and interns eligible to vote?: Yes - as long as they are assigned to your school when the vote is conducted.

They may not be at your school next year, but that's true of teachers who are retiring, resigning, transferring, or taking a leave. Eligiblility is based on being assigned to the school when the vote is taken.
Are day-to-day teachers currently working at your school eligible to vote?: No. This group of teachers is not eligible to vote.
Are substitute teachers eligible?: No. Even if they are at your school long-term, substitutes are not covered by the teacher contract and are not eligible to vote.
What if the BR does not conduct a vote on banking time for next school year?: If teachers do not vote for banking time, the school will not bank time next school year.