Charter School of San Diego

The Charter School of San Diego (CSSD) creates an environment where all employees focus on teaching and learning, and the academic improvement of each student.

The community of CSSD centers on developing a proactive, creative, and effective organization that brings out the best in all individuals.

The Charter School operates in a climate of trust, support, and teamwork. Mutually shared goals produce high standards of performance for managers, staff, and students.

Has the Charter School of San Diego Board of Directors taken a position as "public school employer" as required by AB631?
Yes. On February 9, 2000, the Board voted to amend the charter and add this declaration:

"The Charter School of San Diego shall be deemed the public school employer of the employees at the charter school for purpose Section 3540.1 of the Government Code." (public school collective bargaining statutes).

What does this mean?
As the public school employer, the CSSD Board and its managers assume full responsibility for establishing and implementing the terms of employment within the school.

If employees, who were previously employed by the district, are not part of a collective bargaining agreement, are they able to return to district employment with the same rights and privileges?
"The employment status of District tenured employees who work at a charter school should not be affected by the charter school's decision to declare itself the public school employer for collective bargaining purposes." (Ref. SDCS school attorney Gonzales representing district's commitment in memo: 1/18/2000)

The school's charter governance document, approved in May 1994, and revised in May 1998, assures employees who were previously employed by the district that they "may return to the District with rights identical to those contained in the articles addressing leaves of absence in the master agreements with the appropriate employee bargaining units in effect at the time the employee took leave to the Charter School. Seniority and university credits earned will accrue to these employees while employed by the school as if they were employees of the district." (Ref. CSSD charter: "Employee Rights to Transfer"; p.10)

Will the salary schedule and benefits for CSSD employees be equal to the district's offer to its employees?
CSSD makes a commitment to its employees at all levels that CSSD salary schedules will be equal to or exceed the district's. Currently, CSSD employees are paid 4.8% above the district's salary schedule for comparable positions.

Also, in accordance with the charter, employee health benefits providers will remain identical to the district.

In light of The Charter School's high expectations and accountability for its employees, what support is available to assist employees in meeting their goals?
CSSD provides ongoing training and professional development for teachers. New teachers attend two days of training followed by weekly meetings on various facets of the school/classroom operations. There are monthly staff development meetings for teachers, monthly department meetings focusing on the development of curriculum and strategies for instruction, and opportunities to attend conferences and workshops.

There is a system of support for teachers which includes: assistance from the Director of Instruction and/or Director of Operations, Student Services Center Coordinator, Resource Coordinator, Special Education Resource Specialist, Audit Manager, and key teachers/peer assistants.

The Support Team regularly reviews teacher performance indicators, which include ADA, days/credit ratio, CQRs, audit, etc.). These indicators are shared with teachers on a regular basis.

If the indicators are not meeting expectations, the Support Team deploys a process for support, which may include:

• Sending a written notice of concern.
• Setting up meetings with the individual employee to assess the situation and identify possible causes and solutions. At this point, the Support Team often deploys staff to assist the employee.
• The employee develops an action plan with timeline for review and approval of the Support Team.
• If there is no significant improvement, there may be need for more support, and a revised plan of action.

CSSD invests considerable time and resources in the selection and training of its staff. The school is committed to working with employees to ensure a success-oriented classroom environment conducive to teaching and learning.

Are there plans for development of a tenure program within the school for CSSD teachers?
Teachers who share the vision and mission for this school and who actively demonstrate that learning is taking place are highly valued and annually retained.

There are no plans to formalize a tenure program.

Are CSSD teachers entitled to twelve-month employment?
CSSD is an "around the year school" and operates all twelve months. CSSD students continue to work on their courses throughout the year. Semesters and summer sessions are relatively seamless for our students.

Teachers, like their students, are expected to continue through the summer. Teachers at CSSD essentially work all year on a 231-day calendar. They take the traditional holidays and breaks (spring and winter).

Union membership benefits include liability insurance for its employees. What type of coverage do CSSD employees have?
In cooperation with the Association of American Educators (AAE), CSSD offers professional liability insurance to its employees who do not have similar protection. There is no cost to the employee. CSSD pays the annual premium for $2,000,000 coverage.

The insurance provides protection against a broad range of exposures. Coverage applies to legal actions arising out of duties as employees of the school.

Traditional union liability coverage is a group policy. AAE insurance, provided by CSSD, is an individual policy. Employees hold their own Certificate of Insurance which is in force for the term designated on the certificate.

How does the SDCS "blueprint" affect CSSD?
It was the intent of the charter founders that the primary purpose for CSSD would be to have a positive impact on student learning.

CSSD is not impacted by the Education Code nor District Policy and Procedures. Current district changes, such as reallocation of Title I funds and the reassignment of para-educators, do not impact CSSD.

CSSD believes that classroom assistants are essential to maintaining the quality of the learning environment at the charter school.

Due to the unique instructional delivery at CSSD, decisions will continue to be made that put kids first, while supporting employees at all levels.

How do CSSD employees make their voices heard within CSSD?
There are several mechanisms for employee voices to be heard.

The Board of Directors, which is a policy-making body, has two seats designated for CSSD teaching staff. One seat is selected by a plurality of the teachers. The second seat is appointed by the Board from a roster proposed by the teachers.

Employee voices are also heard through participation at monthly regional meetings. Employees meet with others in a specific geographic region to share local resources, strategies, and site problem-solving.

Regions elect representatives to the Communication Crew. Representatives bring information from their regions to the administration's attention and disseminate information from the administration back to the regional groups.

Staff development and department meetings are also mechanisms for communication that focus on curriculum and strategies for instruction.

In addition, CSSD managers maintain an open-door policy. They are committed to ensuring that the Charter School is an organization where employees can approach any manager to discuss any issues or questions. Employees are encouraged to voice their opinions and to contribute suggestions to improve the quality of CSSD.