Page 2 - May 2017 Edconnect

An Insider’s Look: Labor Relations Takes on Tough Matters
Broad Academy Chooses Blackburn
BPS Superintendent Desmond Blackburn is one of 12 education leaders from across the United States selected for the new class of fellows at the Los Angeles-
based Broad Academy.
The Broad Academy is the nation’s most prominent professional development program for urban school system leaders. The organization brings together experienced
and innovative leaders “who are committed to ensuring America’s urban public school systems work well for all of the families they serve.”
“Desmond Blackburn has worked to increase teacher morale, build public con dence and create e ective central-o ce support for schools,”the academy’s announcement says. “He has eliminated nearly 200 mandatory district tests and negotiated the biggest teacher-pay increase in seven years. The district’s 87.5 percent graduation rate is now at a ve-year high and among the top 10 in the state.”
The Broad Academy program includes ve week-long training and sessions in 2017-2018. Its twin goals: excellence and equity for all students.
Brevard Public Schools
Educational Services Facility
2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way | Viera, FL 32940-6601
321-633-1000
Brevard Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer.
Each issue of edConnect strives to bring readers an inside look at Brevard Public Schools. This month we caught up with Rivers
Lewis, director of the department of professional standards and labor relations. Lewis came to BPS after a long stint in human resources with St. Lucie County and Orange County Public Schools.
1.What matters does your department handle?
Our team assists principals in dealing with employee matters, they assist employees when they have a complaint, and they assist parents with any complaints they may have regarding employees. The department is in the process of going through a re-organization to betterserveBPS. Inadditiontodealingwith complaints, the department is responsible
for contract negotiations with both unions (Brevard Federation of Teachers and Local 1010), determining eligibility for applicant
and employee use of veteran’s preference, the evaluation process for teachers and support personnel, reviewing teacher authority law requests, and tuition reimbursement.
2.How does your o ce
interact with the unions?
Mine is the o ce that represents the School Board during the negotiation of the collective bargaining agreements with the unions. This
requires my team to have a working relationship with the leaders in both bargaining groups. During the negotiations, both sides work to obtain a contract that balances the rights of employees with the needs of the district to ensure the students of Brevard County receive
a world-class education. Outside of bargaining we continuously work with our union counterparts to address issues as they come up. This helps us to avoid grievances which can cost both sides signi cant money.
3. What is the job shares program?
In addition to our two primary functions of resolving complaints and bargaining the labor agreements, our o ce also handles approving job share proposals for our professional services contract teachers. Job shares give our teachers a way to work part time during times when they are unable to work full time. It requires two teachers who are currently employed with Brevard Public Schools to develop a proposal on how they are going split the one teaching assignment. The proposal must be signed by both teachers, approved by the principal, and a completed bene ts enrollment form indicating how they are going to split the one package. Both teachers are still responsible for all the duties of a classroom teacher. Job shares are submitted on an annual basis and must be approved each year.
4. Tell us about tuition reimbursement for BPS employees.
Currently, the district funds $55,000 in total reimbursements for tuition expenses for instructional personnel and $30,000 for Local
1010 non-instructional employees, and $15,000 for our non-bargaining employees. The programs do have requirements that must be met to receive the reimbursement. Information can be found on the Labor Relations website.
5. What is the employee
assistance program?
Labor relations also provides information on the employee assistance program. Currently, the district contracts with HealthAdvocate
to provide short-term counseling, nancial, legal, and other work/life support services
to our employees and their family. Speci c information on these services can also be located on the Labor Relations page under Employee Assistance Program.
Rivers Lewis
Experience:
Joined BPS November 2016
Director, human resources,
St. Lucie County Public Schools
Over 10 years in employee relations, Orange County Public Schools
Department of Children and Families, child protection investigator
Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice, University of Central Florida
Master’s degree, human resources management, Webster University
edConnect is a publication of Brevard Public Schools.
Superintendent
Desmond K. Blackburn, Ph.D.
2
School Board Members
Chairperson: Misty Belford, District 1 Vice Chairman: John Craig, District 2 Tina Descovich, District 3
Matthew Susin, District 4
Andy Ziegler, District 5
Published by the Division of Government and Community Relations
Assistant Superintendent:
Matt Reed
Content Coordinator: Abby Rex Graphic Designer: Daniel Jankowski
To have your story featured or for advertising information, contact
Debra Foley, editor
at 321-633-1000 x529 or
Foley.Debra@brevardschools.org
Engage more fully EwnitghaBgePS. more fully with BPS.
Engage more fully with BPS.
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Volume V, Issue 6