Teachers May Get More Time to Prepare
Teachers in Thousand Oaks may soon be paid for two extra preparation days each school year, a move that would restore the out-of-classroom days that were deleted during recent budget cutbacks.
The added days, which would allow teachers to do research and prepare curriculum and classrooms, would bring to 182 the number of days for which teachers are now paid. The state requires a minimum of 180 instructional days per year.
The Conejo Unified School District Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the issue Thursday. But even if the measure is approved, the restoration of the two days is contingent on funding from the state, said Gary Mortimer, assistant superintendent for business services.
The funding would come from a cost-of-living increase, if it is granted to California schools, or through the settlement of a lawsuit over Proposition 98 funding.
“If it happens, those funds would be arriving in August,” Mortimer said. “If we don’t get them, we won’t have the extra days.”
Mortimer said the reinstatement of the extra days was negotiated during teacher contract talks last year.
“It would give teachers more time for preparation and that means more time for classroom” activities, he said.
The district meets at 7:30 p.m. at 1400 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.
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