Principals, vice-principals and supervisory staff

Français
Why are principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff being moved from the NSTU? How will they be represented?

We want principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff to increase their focus as instructional leaders in their schools, and to remove the conflicts currently faced by administrators. This will model the standard administrative model for workplaces, similar to what is in place for Nova Scotia’s nurses. Administrators will move from the NSTU to a professional association, to be called the Public School Administrators Association. While the association is not a union and will be separate from the NSTU, it will be affiliated with the union. Association members will not able to take job action or engage in collective bargaining. The affiliation will fully protect existing compensation and benefits. The association will clearly define administrators as the managers and educational leaders within our schools.

Will the seniority, compensation, benefits and pension of administrators be protected and stay the same? Or will they change?

Seniority will be protected, as will existing compensation, benefits, and pension. While the new professional association will not be a union and will be separate from the NSTU, it will be affiliated with the NSTU. The affiliation will ensure seniority and compensation are protected, and principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff receive the same benefits and pension they do now. Any salary or benefit enhancements negotiated by the NSTU for its members will also be provided to principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff.

Can principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff move to teaching roles and stay in the NSTU?

Yes, administrators can decide to move to the classroom and stay in the NSTU, or stay in their current role and move out of the union. As long as the association is affiliated with the NSTU, administrators will be able to move between the association, as an administrator, and the union, as a teacher, any year, not just the first year, while having their seniority protected.

If administrators choose to return to the classroom, will they lose their seniority with NSTU?

Seniority will be protected and administrators will be able to move between the association (as an administrator) and the union (as a teacher), any year, not just the first year while the association and the union are affiliated.

Can a principal or vice-principal who has decided to return to teaching bump or displace another teacher because they have more seniority?

Principals and vice-principals cannot bump other teachers out of positions now. Bumping or displacement would not occur in the future either.

Are principals and vice-principals out of the union elsewhere in Canada?

Yes. In three provinces – British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec – principals and vice-principals are not unionized.

What will this change mean for principals’ and vice-principals’ medical and other benefit plans?

Their existing compensation and benefits (including pension) will be fully protected. Any salary or benefit enhancements negotiated by the NSTU for its members will also be provided to principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff.

Could principals and vice-principals be forced to move out of their community into schools in another part of the province?

No.

Can principals and vice-principals still teach?

Yes. Principals and vice-principals will remain as certified teachers and will continue to be able to teach, to a maximum of 50% of their time.

Will people without education degrees be hired as principals and vice-principals to manage schools?

No. Principals and vice-principals are the educational leaders in our schools now, and will continue to be. These changes will give our principals and vice-principals greater autonomy and independence so they can be the instructional leaders we need them to be.

Dr. Glaze also acknowledges that principals should not have to spend time on building maintenance issues. We agree and will act to make this happen so principals can focus on instructional leadership.

Could principals and vice-principals be expected to work a longer school year?

There is no plan to lengthen the school year.

In the event that I need legal support, will I be required to find and pay for my own legal counsel?

The province provides legal support for its staff who are performing their duties in good faith. Principals, vice-principals and other supervisory staff would be entitled to the support that the province provides to its existing non-union staff.

Will there be a PD fund set up for administrators?

Yes. Administrators will be able to access the PD funds that currently exist through the collective agreement.

Will department heads, IB coordinators, 02 coordinators, and athletic directors be removed from NSTU?

These positions will continue to be members of the NSTU.

Will consultants who are paid an admin allowance but do not have supervisory roles stay in the union?

Yes.

If I have accumulated sick days, will they be protected?

Yes.