School Closure Memo of Understading and FAQ

Your Rep Council has been
Zooming and
is hard at work!
Dear SGTA Members, 


We are pleased to share with you the COVID-19 Emergency Crises Memorandum of Understanding between SGUSD and SGTA.

Please do your part and read over the memorandum and further clarifications. Also read the questions/answers below that members have generated. If after reading all of the information, you still do not see you have your questions answered, then list it in the Google Form and a SGTA Rep will respond.  

Please know that your Exec Board and Site Reps have been working very diligently behind the scenes and will be holding SGTA meetings after Spring Break to help further clarify any questions. Many questions have been directed to Site Reps that should be answered by Site Administration.

URGENT: Please read the following documents:

1) SGUSD & SGTA MOU
2) Frequently Asked Questions During School Closure
SGUSD & SGTA Memorandum of Understanding

Further Clarification regarding the
Memorandum of Understanding:
(In a Nutshell...)

1. School Closure and Distance Learning - All terms and conditions are Fluid. Any changes or conditions that arise SGTA will have additional opportunity to discuss with SGUSD.
2. Extended School Closure - Listen and read ALL email and phone communications.
3. Compensation- Yes, you will continue to receive your full compensation and health benefits. 
4. Report to District - You shall not be directed to physically report to school. Tell your Rep if you are asked to report. It should only be on a volunteer basis.
5. Classroom Access- You must get approval from your principal or supervisor. 
6. Social Distancing Norms - The district is required to follow the mandates from the L.A. County Health Dept. 
7. Teacher Observations- Due to the COVID-19 crises, SGTA agreed to give principals additional time to complete summary evaluations via email.  
8. Incomplete Observations - If we do not return to school this year and your observation cannot be completed, you have the opportunity to postpone for the following year. Contact your Site Rep for individual situations that may occur.
9. Quarantine- You will not be deducted sick leave if you are placed in quarantine and cannot perform. This is a BIG WIN for SGTA. This is not happening in surrounding districts.
10. Collective Bargaining Agreement - It is still intact and all terms and conditions apply, even in State Emergencies.
11. 12. 13. 14. This Agreement, Modifications and Execution: Executed on behalf of SGUSD and SGTA.

Teachers Frequently Asked Question During School Closure: 

Q1: When may I go to my classroom to collect materials I need to plan and teach from home?

A: Contact your site administrator.

Q2: What is the plan for students to collect non-technological materials needed for coursework (art materials, musical instruments, etc)?

A: Contact your site administrator regarding access and equity needs for your students.

Q3: I was wondering if there’s a chance that we will extend the school year since ed code says a district cannot?

A: This would need to be bargained. Per prior communication, this is highly unlikely.  

Q4: Why can’t we give out grades for Distance Learning assignments?

A: District administration is currently following CDE and LACOE guidance (see email from J. Symonds on March 19, 2020.) Contact your site administrator for further information.

Q5: If teachers depend on summer teaching positions, and we are still shut down, what are their options?

A: Contact your site administrator.

Q6: What happens if a teacher gets sick during closures, who will take over for him/her?

A: SGTA Exec Board will consult with HR Assistant Superintendent Ross Perry on this question.

Q7: While using an app like Zoom and a student uses it inappropriately, and it involves another student, who is liable?

A: Consult your site administrator..

Q8: What happens if families do not participate in distance learning?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q9: At the elementary level, how do we provide equity instruction when some teachers are skilled at online instruction, video lessons, etc. and other teachers are not? There is concern that parents will talk, compare, and complain.

A: Parents discuss and compare whether we are in distance learning mode or traditional mode. This is an issue for your site administrator.

Q10: How closely are we expected to follow district curriculum such as My Math and Wonders?

A: Consult your site administrator.  

Q11: Kinder Teacher: I'm concerned about the fact that we weren't able to send home math worksheets, journal paper, or anything for our kids to use. I'm asking for guidance to help kids maintain fine motor skills.

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q12: I have heard about repurposing schools as daycare for low income families (Governor Newsom). Is there any talk of that with SGUSD?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q13: I noticed (in an email about contracts from Dena) that we could be called on to do other duties as government workers. Is there talk of that? Or are we still doing our job as distance learning continues?

A: Please refer to MOU.

Q14: What would happen (worst case scenario) if we couldn’t reopen in August?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q15: Is our instruction to be solely online, or is it okay to ask families to print pages and do work with paper and pencil?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q16: Will there be any further guidance from the district as to how much, how often, and what type of work is expected from teachers?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q17: On the MOU, regarding Evaluations, can you define "Reasonably Completed"?

A: In the event we return to school by April 6th it may be reasonable, but if we return back to school at a later date, it may not be reasonable.

Q18: How does this affect a possible non-re-election situation?

A: All non re-elect teachers were already notified prior to March 15th. This is the responsibility of HR. 

Q19: If teachers are too sick to teach from home, how will students receive online instruction?

A: SGTA Exec Board will consult with HR Assistant Superintendent Ross Perry on this question.

Q20: Are subs being assigned if teachers cannot perform Distance Learning?

A: SGTA Exec Board will consult with HR Assistant Superintendent Ross Perry on this question.

Q21: What about the attendance piece?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q22: Are Collective Bargaining Contracts null and void in a state of emergency?

A: Per Tom Pinkava, CTA Representative, the CBA remains intact.It is not  “null and void.”

Q23: What happens if a family chooses not to participate in distance learning?

A:: Consult your site administrator.

Q24: Can a Zoom meeting be held with all Elementary at once?

A: Thank you for this suggestion. SGTA Exec Board will schedule after spring break.

Q25: What about non union members?

A: Non-union members are always contacted regarding contractual issues. 

Q26: What are the roles of the counselors?

A: Consult your site administrator and Dr. Brian Murray.

Q27: ALL teachers have to post assignments for distance learning. What if we have a teacher who doesn’t?

A: Consult your site administrator.

Q28: What will happen to all the Probationary 2? 

A: We are still teaching. Probationary 2 teachers will be made permanent at the end of year unless they have already been otherwise notified. Tom Pinkava noted that Admin should have notified teachers by March 15th. 

Q29: What do I do if I do not have strong enough Wi-Fi where I live? 

A: Consult IT and and your Site Administrator

Q30: Do I have to use my own phone to call parents?

A: No, please go online and to learn how to block your number. For further guidance, consult your site administrator.
 If your question(s) were not answered, please use the following form to ask your question(s). Please note that we are able to answer CBA and MOU questions, but cannot address issues under district and site administrator purview.