School and Community Winter 2024

Spring is Near, Contracts are Here

As the long-awaited warmth of spring begins to peek around the corner, teachers everywhere brace them selves for contract season - it’s almost upon us! With deadlines inching closer, it’s time to get real about what needs to be done. There’s a lot on everyone’s plate this time of year, so let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of it all and dish out some tips to make this a little less stressful. By now, everyone should be aware of the important deadlines within their districts. Tenured teachers have an indefinite contract that automatically continues unless they decide otherwise. They must notify their school by June 1st if they aren’t returning for the follow ing year. Schools must notify probationary teachers by April 15th if they plan on non-renewing their contract. Physical contract offers must be given to probationary teachers by May 15th and once received, those teachers have 15 days to sign and return the contract offer. A saying you’ve likely heard before that I would just like to remind you of is this: look after yourself and your family. If you have your doubts as to whether you will get renewed, plan ahead. Have your resume updated, cover letters written out and references ready. It is best to have options in mind and be able to hit the market running if you do get non-renewed by your district. When looking for a new job, start early. Job postings are coming out earlier and earlier because it’s just getting harder to find teachers. You can take advantage of this

by applying to jobs ahead of time and hopefully lock down a position that will really fit you. If you’re a tenured teacher and know you’re going to leave at the end of the year, keep an eye out for mone tary incentives from your district for early notification of your resignation. If you’re retiring, contact PSRS sooner rather than later to get all your ducks in a row. Figure out what your health insurance is going to look like moving forward, and when you will lose your cur rent insurance. There are multiple ways to retire within the system - make sure you look over all options before making a decision. Finally, if you do get non-renewed, keep your head up and finish out the year on a positive note. You’ll never know when a professional connection will come in handy down the road. While your school may not have been the best fit, that doesn’t mean you need to end the year with sour grapes.

If you have any questions, or there is something you’d like to talk through, contact the MSTA Legal Services Department directly. You can call us at 866-343-6186.

Legal Services

Contact Info: Phone: 866-343-6186 email: legalservices@msta.org