D15 arbitrator right to rule for early release

The arbitrator for the late start/early release grievance filed by the Classroom Teacher’s Council presented his response to District 15 last week. It is gratifying that the arbitrator listened to the facts and chose to support what our parents and stakeholders overwhelmingly supported and fought for in Friday Early Release.

It is now up to Superintendent Thompson and the district to make and execute a plan. Dr. Thompson stated at last Wednesday’s Board of Ed Meeting that a curriculum plan has not been set for what is now being called the “Professional Development Release Time.” I would have hoped that an organized and well reviewed plan would have already been complete which would have laid out the training goals, topics and consistency guides for each weekly “Professional Development Release” session.

In fact, I am quite surprised that this was not done as we will be the first elementary and junior high district which will be having a weekly training session.

Other districts in our state that have tried a late start or early release, including high school districts, have sessions once a month or less. Needless to say, the planning and organization necessary to have a valuable weekly training session is clearly large and should not be underestimated lest we end up wasting the weekly time that the CTC and Dr. Thompson have fought so valiantly to defend.

Lisa Beth Szczupaj

Palatine