Prep Policy

PHILOSOPHY: It is the philosophy of Eisenhower Middle School to provide teachers adequate time in their teaching schedules to prepare and plan for their classes. The ideal situation (and one required by the Negotiated Agreement) is that all faculty members have a preparation period in their daily schedule.

At times, it may become necessary to “sell” a prep period due to over enrollment of students, lack of available classroom space, and/or lack of ability to hire certified personnel.

Should this situation occur, the following policies will apply:

1. Should the selling of a prep period become necessary PRIOR to the master schedule being completed, all faculty members who are highly qualified in that subject area will have a drawing as to who will sell his/her prep. Example: Should there be a need for an extra section of math, all teachers who are interested in selling their prep will be eligible to participate in the drawing. The person who is successful in the drawing will have his/her schedule accommodated in the master schedule.

2. Should the selling of a prep period become necessary AFTER the master schedule has been completed, the following will apply:

The period when the course is needed will first be evaluated (i.e., the need for an additional math class falls during 2nd Period. Any available staff member who is highly qualified to teach math during 2nd Period will be eligible for the drawing.)

3. In the event that the selling of preps is again necessary during the next school year, and the situation arises that a staff member who sold his/her prep in the previous year is again highly qualified to teach in that area, that staff member will not be eligible for the drawing in order to provide other eligible staff members the opportunity to sell their preps. No staff member will be required to be eliminated from a drawing for more than one year at a time.

4. At no time does seniority play a role in the selling of a prep period. Article 17, Seniority Provisions, in the Negotiated Agreement between the Board of Education and the Albuquerque Teachers Federation discusses the provisions under which seniority plays a role in a teacher's contract.

(3/2005)