For Teachers

Performance Pay - Site-Based Responsibility Pay

Overview

Responsibility pay is intended to award teachers payment for specific additional duties performed. The amount of money will vary depending on the scope, degree of difficulty, time involved and the quality of the results. It is understood that all teachers make contributions and assume responsibilities beyond classroom instruction and job description; it is not the intention of the responsibility pay component to compensate for all of these. In addition, we should continue and expand our efforts for the non-monetary recognition of teachers who contribute so much to our schools.

It was our intention in designing this component that each site develop this pay system to meet the specific needs, goals and interests of that school. The contract language on this topic deals more with process than with the actual responsibilities you wish to compensate. Please note that the suggestions listed in "g" are suggestions and are not intended to be all-inclusive. This site plan is intended to be developed cooperatively by administrators and teachers and is to be filed with the district by October 15. Please include in your plan both the process and the responsibility payments you wish to make. A memo will be sent to each school in the fall of each year to identify the sum of money available to that school based on student enrollment.

The following excerpt from the DCFT contract deals with this topic. (please see DCFT Article XIV A,7,c)

c. Site-Based Responsibility Pay

(1) Process for Determining Responsibility Pay. School building certified staff shall develop a process and the criteria by which responsibility pay will be distributed. Each process shall adhere to the following standards:

(a) The process shall be jointly developed by building staff and administration.

(b) The process shall outline how decisions will be made regarding those responsibilities that will be compensated and how monetary compensation will be allocated. These decisions shall be made no later than the eighth (8th) week after the school year has commenced.

(c) Decisions regarding the approved responsibilities and monetary compensation shall be disclosed to the entire staff prior to the assignment of duties.

(d) Monies allocated to each building under this section will be spent solely for the purpose of responsibility pay.

(e) Allocation of available monetary compensation and opportunities for participation in the program shall be equitable and voluntary.

(f) It is understood that all teachers make contributions and assume responsibilities beyond classroom instruction and job description; it is not the intention of the responsibility pay component to compensate for all of these.

(g) Guidelines. Responsibility pay will be considered in the following situations, but not limited to these:

i) Beyond the scope of the typical job description.
ii) Committee work;
iii) Curriculum work;
iv) Ongoing commitment;
v) Positively impacts/affects students;
vi) Mentor role for colleagues;
vii) Draws upon professional skills and knowledge
viii) Additional responsibility during the school day

(2) Problem Resolution Process. It is the intent of the Board and Union that responsibility pay decisions be made collaboratively at the building. Accordingly, teachers and building administrators should work cooperatively with each other to resolve problems in the implementation of this section. The Union and the Department of Human Resources may assist buildings to develop processes to resolve problems if requested. Neither the Union nor the District should substitute their judgment for decisions made at the building level.

(3) Funding. The District will provide each site with $5.50 per pupil (determined as of October 1) to support site-based responsibilities.

Payment Process

When an individual at your site has completed the responsibility for which he/she is to be paid, please complete and submit an Extra Pay/Responsibility Pay Form for each individual. ( The form is in the school office.) Please also indicate on the form the payment is to come from your site-based responsibility budget. (Account code 10-location-11-program-0194-200-0000-001)

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