Summary of sections of WTA contract (1997-99) which refer to/or support innovative programs, restructuring, shared decision-making and staff development:

• Philosophical commitment to site-based decision-making.
• Class size ratio: K(20);1-3(23);4-6(26);6-8 teams(115);9-12(125;100-English)
• Increase length of school year from 182 to 186; teachers have 5 staff development days
• Off-site professional development conference. Westerly School Committee funds $80.00 per teacher per day for rental, presenter fees, materials etc. Staff pays for meals.
• Staff Development Credit Hour Program: Staff attending staff development programs and/or working on curriculum committees will be compensated at the rate of $350 per 40 hours.
• Maintain Staff Development Coordinator position and $2,5000 stipend. In addition to performing the coordinating functions in conjunction with a district level administrator, the staff development coordinator will teach a .4 load. Clerical assistance will be provided.
• Maintain SIM Team (3 teachers provide database system management and technology maintenance for WHS and BMS)1 teacher is .4 SIM and the other two are each .8 SIM.
• Westerly High School Management Plan includes: principal, two vice-principal(s), faculty collaborative, instructional coordinators and service coordinators, site council.
• Babcock Middle School Management Plan includes:principal, 2 vice-principals, grade level team leaders (stipend); instructional coordinators(stipend); site council.
• Elementary School Management Plan: Three of the five schools will have one Educational Facilitator for a one year re-appliable term. Each facilitator will work 10 additional days. Site councils and staff will make recommendations to superintendent. If no one applies, a principal will be hired.
• Continue Sabbaticals, Job Share Agreement, Flexible Scheduling
• Maintain released time for union president (.60 with .40 paid by WTA) and vice-president has full load in four classes but no non-teaching duties (study halls, etc.)
• Staffing Agreement includes: LEP, Literacy, Child Find, Creative Learning coordinators, reading teachers, librarians, social workers, psychologists, guidance counselors and nurses.
• Letter of Understanding regarding inclusive education.

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Innovative programs jointly planned and implemented by the WTA and School Committee during on-going collaborative bargaining discussions 1997-99

• Instituted five week post K summer program for at risk readers
• Expanded the middle school and high school remedial reading programs by freezing 5 paychecks of top step staff as part of contract extension.
• Reorganized delivery of special education services at the high school
• Added a third administrator to the middle school
• Created equal size class size teams in line with middle school philosophy
• Require all core subject middle school teachers to be middle school endorsed.
• Created voluntary alternatives to non-teaching duties at the high school
• Expanded services of Creative Learning Coordinator o high school
• Created WISP and EXCEL Coordinators
• Altered the role of the high school faculty collaborative
• Distance Learning agreement for Westerly staff to teach Block Island courses and share staff development training.

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