[AX Pendergast]

...just organized. Our union takes a big role in what happens in the schools, and we have a large membership with lots of buy-in. We're active, and we work with the district rather than against it.

For example:
* Any teacher who has worked at least 10 years in the district, and has had a rating of "effective" on their previous evaluation, is entitled to a five-year window before their next formal evaluation (normally it's a two-year window).

* If the district wants to introduce a new procedure/program/district-wide strategy designed to improve student performance, then they have to remove some other program as an off-set. Which is why we haven't rolled out RTI district-wide yet.

* After 2 years of probationary status, a teacher earns tenure.

* Being disciplined? Even level one formal warnings are allowed to be challenged before any permanent documentation is placed in an employee file.