Paras not required to attend faculty conferences
Paraprofessionals cannot be required to attend after-school faculty conferences, an independent arbitrator ruled over the summer. The UFT filed a grievance after principals in a large number of schools began ordering paras to attend faculty conferences in the fall of 2005, despite the fact that attendance is not required under the paraprofessional contract. On Aug. 9, the arbitrator ordered the Department of Education to cease and desist forcing paras to attend faculty conferences and to compensate paras at the per-session rate for any meeting they attended. To receive back pay, paras will have to provide evidence of attendance at each meeting as well as evidence that attendance was mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact the Bronx Borough Office (718) 379-6200.
Para Forms, Rules, Memos, & Info
Para Educational Requirements, Salary Rates, Titles, click here
Para Salary as of 10/13/2007, click here
Para Salary as of 5/19/2008, click here
Career Training Program for Paras, click here
PATT Program Application, click here
Release Time Memo, click here
Approved Colleges, click here
Understanding Para Sick Time, click here
Para Form for Borrowing Sick Days, click here
Para Leave Application, click here
Sub Para Job Description, click here
Sub Para Becoming Full-Time, click here
Workers Compensation, click here
Guidelines on Diapering/Toileting
Diapering/Toileting Guidelines, click here
OESH Guidelines, click here
For full details on Health and Safety Rules, click here
News
NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi has thanked Gov. Eliot Spitzer for signing into law the bill that creates a permanent School-Related Professionals Recognition Day on the state calendar.
"The governor's signature on this bill memorializes New York's commitment to some deeply dedicated educators - School-Related Professionals," said Iannuzzi. "Their daily contributions to our students will now be honored annually on the third Tuesday of each November, during American Education Week."
NYSUT's 90,000 School-Related Personnel members perform a variety of key roles in schools, working as bus drivers, school nurses, custodians, secretaries, food service workers, teaching assistants and aides and in dozens of other job titles.
The SRP bill was sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Clark , D-Queens, and Sen. James DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse.
"NYSUT appreciates the great legislative support we received on this effort," said Executive Vice President Alan Lubin. "Both houses worked together to make this recognition happen for our members."
Lubin also cited Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, chair of the Assembly's Government Operations Committee, and Sen. Owen Johnson, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, for their work in pushing this legislation forward.
NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue oversees much of NYSUT's programming for SRPs. "These NYSUT members are often the hidden heroes of our schools," said Donahue. "Honoring their contributions to our students is the right thing to do. We will urge every school district to use this day to celebrate the work of all school employees, both inside and outside the classroom."