Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/214242
so that school staff can see what's working and what isn't. "I'm looking at effectiveness. But I am not judgmental, and I don't want people to judge me, just because I'm interested in getting to the core of what numbers really mean." Mendoza believes she's making a positive difference at her school. So she was surprised when she returned from summer break to learn TOSAs could no longer work full time at their own school sites. "It can be difficult for TOSAs," says Cooper. "Sometimes it's hard for them to get the same support the rest of us receive. They are supporting us, but who's supporting them?" OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, OUT OF THE BARGAINING UNIT? Lake Tahoe has crystal clear waters, but the district's definition of who's an administrator is murky. For many years a teacher (PERB), which is pending. CTA was victorious in a similar PERB motion against the South Monterey County High School District in 2012, which sought to eliminate counselors and then create new administrative positions with "counseling duties." PERB ruled in favor of the union on the grounds that the district failed to negotiate changing certificated positions to administrative positions. Further blurring the lines in Tahoe is the district's "Administrative Internship Program," where teachers become administrative interns in the same district where they teach. Two out of four interns became principals in the district, and a third intern is a "technology coordinator." Karlene Steelman views her role as a TOSA as supporting teachers, not criticizing them. "My job is getting the word out on what the new standards look like for each grade level and helping teachers create units around the Common Core." They should instead report to the district office one day a week and "float" to other school sites doing "walk-throughs" two days a week. ACT filed a grievance and won; now she's back at Dool Elementary full time. I act as a comrade to teachers... I work with them. I don't make threats. Mel Collins PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT BUSCHMAN Educator 11 Nov 2013 v2.1 int.indd 33 Dayberry has strong concerns about bargaining unit members was the Mount Tallac Continuation School teaching in the district where they are prac"coordinator." The Lake Tahoe Unified ticing to become administrators. School District never referred to this They can vote on contract ratification teacher as a principal until she retired — and union leadership positions, which and then said she should be replaced with present potential conflict of interest. If another principal. they attend a meeting and we're "She was a TOSA and talking about union organiza member of our bargaining ing activity, that's a problem. unit," asserts Jodi Dayberry, I understand there are peoSouth Tahoe Educators Associple who want to move into ation president. "Now that she's administration, but this blurs retired, they're giving away the lines. What if interns do union work to someone outside something wrong in an adminof the bargaining unit. This is istrative capacity? Will CTA wrong. She did not supervise represent them? If there's a lawor evaluate teachers. We're suit, should we defend them? Jodi Dayberry a small chapter where every job Our negotiating team is looking counts, and we'd like to retain our mem- to create language around this. " bership. This action is causing confusion and dissent." The chapter filed a motion with the READ MORE ON PAGE 34. Public Employment Relations Board NOVEMBER 201 3 www.cta.org 33 11/13/13 6:31 PM