DeLand, FL - Volusia County Schools issued a help wanted ad for teachers at four elementary schools who received a "D" grade or less last year. Teachers who teach at these Focus or Title I schools may be, with the emphasis on "may" according to Volusia United Educators President Elizabeth Albert, eligible for the Unified School Improvement Grant (UniSIG) Supplemental Teacher Allocation of up to $15,000. Eligibility is determined by the State of Florida based on 3-year STATE VAM scores (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) of “Highly Effective” or “Effective.
Albert said that the schools, Westside, South Daytona, Champion, and Palm Terrace, that the state school grading system is reflective of the schools socio-economic status. At these schools, Albert said a significant number of the students receive free or reduced lunch. She said the system is poorly created and it disadvantages and disenfranchises the marginalized students. This sets them up for further disadvantage because it's difficult to recruit teachers to work in these schools.
Eligibility is only open to fourth and fifth-grade teachers, according to Albert and eligibility for the Supplemental Teacher Allocation is determined by the State of Florida based on 3-year STATE VAM scores. Albert said the Florida State Education Association said all teachers working in the Focus schools will not be eligible.
To be considered by the State for the supplemental funds, a teacher must be teaching at either Westside Elementary, South Daytona Elementary, Champion Elementary or Palm Terrace Elementary by August 30, 2019. The State will determine eligibility during the fall.
Albert said even though VUE believes that the supplemental money that's being offered will not be as much as advertised, she will not discourage teachers who are interested in teaching in the Focus schools to not apply. She said, "What we are asking for is honesty and clarity and truthfulness as it relates to putting teachers in these schools." Albert also said, "Why would we try to incentivize someone falsely and put them in a position and then later down the road say 'Oh sorry, it didn't work out for you'."
Albert said that she believes that there's an opportunity for the Union to negotiate some aspects of what's being offered. Certainly, pay, which is a mandatory subject of bargaining, could be negotiated. The Union is working with the principals of the Focus schools and Albert said the Union will advocate for the truth and the real story to told as it relates to this grant opportunity.
Earlier this month, Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran announced that the Florida Department of Education allocated $15.8 million in federal funds to incentivize teachers with proven records of success to serve at Florida’s most fragile “D” or “F” schools. Eligible teachers will receive as much as $15,000 in supplements.
The deadline to apply for the teacher openings at Westside, South Daytona, Champion, and Palm Terrace Elementary Schools is August 19. Current VCS teachers will be allowed to transfer to the focus schools and should apply to the job vacancies online before August 19, 2019. For individuals who are not currently employed by VCS, please apply online.
