5.01 Appointments and Work Schedule Changes

This policy applies to teaching and substitute teaching positions in the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center (Clerc Center) of Gallaudet University.

Types of Positions

1. Regular Status Teacher
   Regular status teachers hold a position which is incorporated in the Clerc Center staffing plan and operating budget. Employees are paid according to the teacher pay scale for the school calendar days scheduled to be worked. Employees are eligible for a wide range of benefits.
2. Extended Temporary Status Teacher
   Extended temporary status teachers are appointed for a specific period of time which is at least one semester and up to one academic year in length. Employees are paid according to the teacher pay scale for the school calendar days scheduled to be worked. Extended temporary employees are eligible for a limited number of benefits. Extended temporary appointments do not count as time worked for Clerc Center policies recognizing length of service.
3. Short-Term Substitute Teacher (Temporary)
   Short-term substitute teachers are hired for a defined period in the same department for a period of at least ten consecutive working days but not more than one semester. Employees receive a daily or half-daily rate and are ineligible for benefits other than those prescribed by law. Short-term substitute teacher appointments do not count as time worked for any purpose.
4. Daily Substitute Teacher (Temporary)
   Daily substitute teachers are called in as needed. Employees receive a daily or half-daily rate and are ineligible for benefits other than those prescribed by law. Daily substitute teacher appointments do not count as time worked for any purpose.

Work Schedule
One hundred and ninety-four (194) work days constitute a full-time annual 10-month teaching appointment. This includes three inclement weather days which do not have to be made up. If school is closed for more than three days, these additional days will have to be made up. Work days are specified in the school calendar. If a teacher is required to extend his/her regular work schedule beyond 194 days (exclusive of make-up days because of inclement weather), the salary is adjusted accordingly based on the teacher's daily rate of pay.

Teachers who are employed after the start of the school year or who are in a non-pay status have an appointment of fewer than 194 working days. An appointment of fewer than 97 days or an absence of more than 97 days is not considered a full year of service for Clerc Center policies recognizing length of service and does not count for a step increase.

Hours of work are established in accordance with program needs. Generally, working hours are 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Although these are generally the working hours, teachers are expected to work until the job is completed. Teachers are required to attend all school wide meetings and stay until the meeting is completed. Administrators will make every attempt to conclude meetings by 4:30 p.m. Teachers are required to work the number of hours and days necessary to perform the job satisfactorily and are not eligible for overtime. Part-time teachers or substitutes may be assigned different hours.

Work Schedule Changes
Any departure from the school calendar work schedule for an individual teacher must be related to program needs. There may be occasions when a teacher is required, or may request, to work on a non-scheduled work day in order to facilitate the handling of responsibilities assigned to that teacher (e.g., conducting a workshop on a weekend or attending additional meetings with parents over an extended period of time). This type of adjustment to the work scheduled is considered a "trade off" within the normal appointment (e.g., if a teacher conducts a workshop on a Saturday, he/she will be given a day off on a regularly scheduled work day). Requests for a work schedule adjustment should be submitted to the supervisor as early as possible but at least two working days in advance. Work schedule changes must be approved by the Principal of the school. Teachers who are required to work on a non-scheduled work day will be notified at least two working days in advance.

Release Time from Teaching Responsibilities
Clerc Center teachers may be released from teaching responsibilities (either full or part-time) to participate in an assigned project or activity (e.g., national mission project or research activity), to assume assigned duties of a non-teaching nature, or to take part in a professional development activity such as attending a workshop or giving a presentation. Teachers who are released from teaching responsibilities by the Principal continue to receive their full teaching salary. Teachers who are released part-time continue to have a partial teaching workload. Teachers are expected to maintain a regular work schedule, and unless specifically approved, to remain on site.

Requests for release time from teaching responsibilities to take part in a professional development activity must be submitted to the supervisor as early as possible but no later than two days prior to the event. Teachers given release time to make presentations, conduct workshops, etc., must document the activity on the appropriate form.