By Alec Lautanen
Theme Editor
Study sessions for Advanced Placement exams have historically been a source of conflict for Mira Costa teachers and administrators. However, new negotiations between the teachers’ union and the MBUSD have established a pay structure that, to the benefit of Costa’s students, guarantees study sessions for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years.
During the most recent contract negotiations, teachers originally sought a general wage increase. However, according to MBUTA vice president and teacher Wayne Knutson, teachers decided to focus on increased pay in other areas, including extra-duty pay.
The agreement that was reached is a fair reimbursement for AP teachers and sets a precedent for future negotiations.
According to Knutson, this increase consists of a $900 stipend per course from the MBUSD for teachers conducting AP review sessions. Because the stipend is not dependent on the number of study sessions, teachers may conduct reviews how they see fit.
Now, with a defined wage agreement for these extra sessions, teachers are thankfully afforded the ability to focus on lesson plans instead of negotiations.
This decision hugely benefits students. Because the reviews are locked in for the next two years, students will not have to turn to expensive private tutors.
Despite the merits of this agreement, the delayed nature of negotiations hurts AP students.
According to union and district representatives, this year’s negotiations began in March and were finalized the second week of April, three weeks before the start of AP exams.
Because after-hours pay was being negotiated this year, teachers were uncertain whether they could conduct study sessions, and reviews started later than usual.
According to Costa teachers, this is not the first time negotiations have been unresolved so near to AP exams.
In the 2005-06 school year, the inability to reach an agreement led to the PTSA paying outside tutors to conduct the reviews instead of Costa teachers.
Negotiations over issues with immediate and direct effects on students should have an earlier timetable. Starting earlier ensures that future negotiations won’t impede students’ educations.
Thankfully, the current agreement of pay will make sure that a similar situation will not occur in the next two school years.
Some say a flat stipend does not do enough to accurately represent the time teachers spend working after hours.
However, by doing so, it eliminates pressure on teachers to balance the number of study sessions with pay and enables them to focus on preparing their students for the AP exams.
The stipend system should be included in future agreements about these reviews.
Review sessions for AP classes are a valuable asset for students, and Mira Costa must strive to preserve them for future years through a collective effort and combined support.
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