ARTICLE 13:  ASSOCIATION RIGHTS
13.1  All Association business, discussions, and activities will be conducted by unit members or Association officials outside established work hours as defined in Article 6.1 for regular teachers, librarians, media resource teachers and Article 6.3 for counselors, psychologists, and other support personnel.  Such business, discussion and activities will be conducted in places other than District property, except when:  (a) an authorized Association representative obtains at least twenty-four (24) hours advanced permission from the superintendent or designee regarding the specific time, place, and type of activity to be conducted; (b) the superintendent or designee can verify that such requested activities and use of facilities will not interfere with the school programs and/or duties of unit members, and will not directly or indirectly interfere with the right of employees to refrain from listening or speaking with an Association representative.  When facilities are utilized for other than the exclusive use of District employees, a reasonable fee for expenses related to utilities, security, cleanup, and any unusual wear or damage may be charged by the District.
13.2  The Association may use the school mailboxes and bulletin board spaces designated by the superintendent subject to the following conditions:  (a) all postings for bulletin boards or items for school mailboxes must contain the date of posting or distribution and the identification of the organization together with a designated authorization by the Association president; (b) a copy of such postings or distributions must also be delivered to the superintendent or designee; and (c) the Association will not post or distribute information which contains political campaign materials.  The Association president shall be notified, in writing, whenever a violation of this Article occurs.
13.2.1The Association may use District electronic mail service for routine communications to unit members consistent with applicable Board Policies, Administrative Regulations and Electronic User Agreements, and provided such use does not interfere with the duties and responsibility of unit members. The Association shall send copies of emails to site administrators and the Superintendent’s office. All communications shall be dated and the Association’s identification clearly defined.
13.3  The Association will be provided reasonable release time for the processing of grievances past Level 1 of the grievance procedure, Article 5 herein, for unit members who are designated as Association representatives.  Release time for processing grievances is subject to the following conditions:  (a) that no later than sixty (60) days following the signing of this Agreement, the Association will designate in writing to the superintendent two (2) employees who are to receive release time (any change in such designation thereafter shall be communicated by the Association as soon as possible); (b) that twenty-four (24) hours prior to release from duties for grievance processing, the designated representative shall inform his/her immediate supervisor in order that an adequate substitute, if such is necessary, may be obtained; and (c) that such time off shall be limited solely to representing a grievant in a conference with management persons, beyond Level 1, and in no way shall this limitation include use of such time for matters such as gathering information, interviewing witnesses, or preparing a presentation.  The District shall provide the Association with a reasonable amount of release time without loss of compensation during the period of this agreement for negotiations based on past practice and the need for instructional continuity.  In the event the need for release time exceeds the established time, the Association shall reimburse the District for the cost of the substitute employed to replace unit member engaged in negotiations which are not reimbursed under state mandated costs.
13.4  Specific information relating to names, addresses and assignments of District teachers may be provided without cost to the Association upon reasonable request.  Such information may be provided within a reasonable time following their employment.
13.5  As soon as reasonably possible following the execution of this Agreement, the District shall print and deliver to the Association twenty-five (25) copies of this Agreement, plus one copy for each member of the bargaining unit.
13.6  The Association may have the opportunity to present announcements and reports at the close of faculty meetings.
13.7  Upon twenty-four (24) hours prior notification in writing to the superintendent, the Association shall be allowed without cost up to twenty-five (25) days of release time for purposes of conference and/or workshop attendance, and/or consultation with Association representative so long as such costs are reimbursable under mandated costs by the State.  In addition, upon twenty-four (24) hours prior notification in writing to the superintendent, the Association shall be allowed up to twenty-five (25) days of release time for purposes of conference and/or workshop attendance, and/or consultation with Association representative, and the Association shall reimburse the District for the cost of the substitute at the daily rate of pay.  For purposes of this article, no single member of the unit shall be allowed more than five (5) of the fifty (50) days available for the Association during the school year, except that, under exigent circumstances, such restriction can be set aside upon the approval of the superintendent of a request by the Association president.  The purposes for the Association leave described in this section may be expanded with prior approval of the superintendent upon the request from the
Association president.  This expansion of purpose shall be considered and determined on a case-by-case basis. 
13.7.1  Beginning in the 1991-92 school year, each school that goes on the year-round calendar will result in one (1) additional release day being added to the release time in Article 13.7.
13.8  The district shall provide 37  days release time for the Association president to conduct Association business.  This release time shall be taken on regularly scheduled intervals.  A calendar of release days shall be agreed upon by the Association President and the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources/designee at the beginning of each instructional year.  A completed calendar of the President's activities shall be submitted to the district's Human Resources Office at the end of each school month.  Release days shall be taken in no less than one-half day increments. 
The Association President shall be classified as a Teacher-on-Special Assignment without a designated classroom.  During non-release time, the President shall perform duties as assigned by the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources/designee.  These duties shall include, but not be limited to, substitute teaching and special projects.
Upon request, additional release time, not to exceed 113 days, shall be provided the Association President upon 24 hours prior notice to the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources/designee provided such release time does not unduly interfere with assigned professional duties.  For each of these additional days used, the Association shall pay the District at the current substitute rate of pay.
13.9A unit member shall be entitled to association representation to the extent required by law.  Any challenges to this provision, absent informal resolution, shall be submitted to the Public Employment Relations Board and shall not be subject to the grievance procedure in this agreement.
13.10 Beginning July 1, 2001, upon expiration of the term(s) of office, but not to exceed four years, the President will be returned to his/her previous position or otherwise be afforded first choice of any available teaching positions for which he/she is qualified.  Written notice of intent to return to the classroom shall be provided to the district by April 1.
13.11Memorandums of Understanding executed between the Association and the District shall include effective dates.  These memoranda shall be reviewed each year by the parties at a mutually agreeable time. 



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