UBC Frequently Asked Questions cont. How should time be allowed for UBC work at faculty meetings?
UBCs are accorded time at faculty meetings (per Section 23.3.1), to make announcements and conduct UBC business. Though a specific amount of time is not specifically stated, it normally averages about 10 minutes (sometimes more and sometimes none at all depending on the meeting agenda, UBC request for time, and current issues). There may be times when the UBC needs this time to be confidential only to UESF members.
What is the difference between a UBC meeting and Faculty meetings?
Faculty meetings are scheduled and the agenda set (except the UBC portion of the meeting cited above) by site administration within the limits provided in the Contract (Section 7.2.4.1) of a maximum of two per month held within the work week/hours designated in Article 7. UBC meetings can be called for elected UBC members, or expanded to include every educator within the bargaining unit at the site. All UBC meeting agendas and processes are established by the UBC, led by the Building Representative, within the context of the UESF Constitution and the Contract.
When does UBC meet and how often? (includes UBC meetings and UBC/Site Administration meetings) Read Article 23.3.5 The UBC may schedule meetings before or after the instructional day
or at such times that are not in conflict with normal school functions.” UBC/Site Administration meetings are usually held once or twice a month at regularly set times.
What is the role of leadership teams re: UBC? The site
administration has a right to establish leadership teams to be involved in more in-depth curriculum development, information sharing, and communications among and between grade level educators and departments. However, the leadership teams may not in any way substitute for the role of the UBC as stated in the Contract. If recommendations of the leadership team have to do with any of the areas summarized in 23.3.7, those recommendations should be submitted to the UBC/site administration agenda for consideration. Any unilateral implementation of leadership team decisions, even if a UBC member may be part of a leadership team, made in those UBC domain areas constitutes direct dealing and is a violation of the contract and labor codes. The District and Union are continuing to discuss the role of leadership teams at school sites.
UBC Frequently Asked Questions cont. Who comes to the UBC meeting with the principal, and who decides this? Read Section 23.3.1
The UBC decides which UBC members come to site administrator meetings, however the number cannot exceed seven.
Who decides what can be discussed? How is the agenda set? What can and cannot be discussed? The agenda is developed jointly by site administration and the
UBC, usually at least a few days ahead of time to allow for preparation. The administration or UBC may want to bring various concerns, changes or suggestions to the agenda regarding the many content areas addressed in the first question. Neither the UBC nor site administration may discuss or seek changes in the provisions of the Contract that has been negotiated by UESF and the District, which would be illegal and considered “direct dealing.” However, there are site-specific agreements that are officially sanctioned by the UESF and SFUSD.
Who has the power to make decisions?
This is a complex question. The Contract directs the site administration/ UBC to attempt to reach consensus on issues raised at UBC meetings. All issues falling within the parameters outlined in Question 1 should therefore be brought to these meetings for attempted consensus, and unilateral implementation is prohibited without doing so. However, if after clear attempts are made to reach consensus on issues, and these attempts fail, site administrators have the right to proceed with implementation of matters falling within management rights domain (such as certain curriculum matters that do not directly impact working conditions or hours of work). However, any changes that affect negotiated terms and conditions of work expressly covered by the contract must be negotiated with UESF prior to implementation. Since this is a complex issue, you should consult with your representatives UESF or Labor Relations.
How should UBC notes/minutes be shared with school site?
This decision is left up to each UBC, however UESF recommends that key decisions and projects discussed in the UBC meetings, and UBC-site administration meetings be taken and distributed to UESF members by the UBC. It is recommended that the UBC share joint UBC/Administration minutes with Administration prior to distribution.