Teacher grievance at Samohi still unresolved
Administrators began the process of dividing Santa Monica High School into six smaller campuses last week despite a pending grievance that alleges the new plan violates the school district’s contract with teachers.
More than 80 teachers moved to different classrooms in the first phase of the redesign, which is scheduled to be completed before the 2004-2005 school year.
Under the new plan, Samohi’s 3,400 students will be divided into six schools or “houses,” each with its own principal, teacher leader and two advisors. The move is expected to boost test scores and increase learning by allowing instructors to spend more one-on-one time with students.
In August, administrators will move into the new houses and next summer the final moves will be made by teachers.
“We’re going from good to great,” said principal Ilene Straus, who hired both Patty Flynn, principal at John Muir Elementary, and Wendy Wax, principal of McKinley Elementary, to work at the new Samohi. “The excitement will build in the fall, once everyone has had a vacation. There’s still a lot of work to be done.”
About 30 teachers will be hired this summer at Samohi, mostly to fill retirements.
But not everyone is pleased with the new plan.
More than one-third of Samohi teachers and staff signed a formal grievance last month, alleging administrators didn’t include them in their plans to split up the campus.
The grievance, which is expected to go to arbitration sometime in July, alleges Samohi broke its contract with the union for certificated staff and demands the school consult with its workers before any restructuring take place.
Straus would not comment on the grievance but said she invited all campus workers to give their input to a committee of teachers, parents, students and administrators that drew up the blueprints for the redesign.
In an effort to help quell teacher’s concerns, Superintendent John Deasy offered several compromises to make the transition easier.
Even those who didn’t sign the grievance said communication broke down over the move.
“There are some good points to the redesign, but the move has been a mess,” said Yvonne Strahn, a Samohi employee. “It’s been a real interesting time, but we’re making the most of it.”
Harry Keiley, president of the Santa Monica-Malibu chapter of the California Teachers Association, said the union is asking that the contract be followed. He would not speculate on whether that would mean undoing the first phase of the redesign.
Before the district can restructure its programs, it must seek the advice of the union, according to the contract, which also mandates a presentation be made and 70 percent of workers agree with the proposal.
Keiley said the district has agreed to have the grievance mediated before it goes to arbitration.
“There’s an ongoing conversation and I take that as a good sign,” he said. “It has-n’t resolved the grievance, but it’s a part of the on-going process.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 30, 2003. Read the original PDF.