Case Study #3

Ms. Digits gets

Transferred
Amy Ketner
Debbie Spector
August 9, 2016

Who: Ms. Digits,

Superintendent, Mr. Sped,
parents & students, and me the Principal of Dry Creek
What: Involuntary transfer of
teacher

About

When: Middle of the school

year
Where: Dry Creek Middle
School to Baxter Middle School
Why: Enrollment changes

Summary

There were significant enrollment changes within

the school district
Dry Creek Middle School decreased in enrollment on a yearly
basis
Braxton Middle School significantly increased in its enrollment
quickly

The Superintendent decided to transfer a teacher

(Ms. Digits) from Dry Creek Middle School to
Braxton Middle School.

Summary
I, the principal of Dry Creek Middle School,
approached the Superintendent with concerns
that Ms. Digits transfer had on Dry Creek Middle
School
I, however, could not monetarily justify the salary of my least
senior teacher, Ms. Digit

Dry Creek staff was unaccepting or Ms. Digits

transfer to Braxton
Dry Creek teachers decided to approach Superintendent

Summary
Monday morning I, the Dry Creek principal, was
advised of a problem
Students, parents , and a teacher were protesting at the district
office
Superintendent demanded that I remediate the situation or find a
new job!

Our Transferred Teacher

Ms. Digits

Ms. Digits teaches math. She is the most popular teacher at Dry Creek.
She has the least amount of seniority of the staff. Everyone feels she is a
highly valued faculty member. She is being Involuntarily transferred in
accordance with district contract.

Other Characters

Principal

Parents

I told my staff that I had

voiced my concerns to
Superintendent about Ms.
Digits

Upset about Ms. Digits

transfer.

Superintendent instructs
me to disperse protesters
or look for a new job.

Stage a protest in front of

the district office with their
children before school on
Monday morning.

Superintenden
Followed district
t policy and

chose to transfer Ms. Digits

but does not listen to
concerns of me or the Dry
Creek Staff.
No communication with
stakeholders regarding
transfer.

Mr. Sped
Not in his classroom before
school on Monday, but his
instructional aide is
planning on teaching his
class because he is leading
the protest at the district
office.

Collective
Bargaining
Contract

A teacher may be involuntarily transferred for good

and sufficient reason. The District will request
a volunteer prior to imposing an involuntary
transfer. The teacher of the lowest District
seniority within the same life level shall be
designated for the involuntary transfer.
A quarterly update of personnel changes related to
teachers shall be supplied to the Association
during January , April, July and October, each
report based upon the previous three month
period.
Teachers shall be present at their respective rooms
and open them to admit students not less than
15 minutes before the time when school starts.

The Superintendent shall ensure that highly qualified

and experienced teachers are equitably distributed
among district schools, including those with higher
than average levels of low-income, minority, and/or
academically underperforming students.

Board Policies

The Superintendent shall provide multiple opportunities

for member of the public to give input on school
issues and operations. Community members are
encourage to become involved in school activities,
serve on committees, provide input at Board
meetings, submit suggestions, and use the
districts complaint procedures as appropriate.
Employee conduct should enhance the integrity of the
district, advance the goals of the educational
programs, and contribute to a positive school
climate.
The Board believes that free inquiry and exchange of
ideas are essential parts of a democratic
education. The Board respects students rights to
express ideas and opinions, take stands on issues,
and support causes, even when such speech is
controversial or unpopular.

The Superintendent may transfer a teacher

from one district school to another when
he/she determines the transfer is in the
best interest of the district.

Education
Codes

...the school district governing board shall

consult in good faith in an effort to reach
agreement with the certificated and
classified employees of the school, with
the parents of pupils who would be
affected by the change, and with the
community at large.
The Superintendent shall not discipline any
high school student solely on the basis of
speech or other communication that
would be constitutionally protected when
engaged in outside of school, but may
impose discipline for harassment,
threats, or intimidation unless
constitutionally protected.
Freedom of speech laws apply in this case.

Essential Questions
What are the key issues?
What action should you take?
What strategies will you employ to
manage these issues?

How did I handle the situation?

What did I do?
Prioritize my actions:

Why?

To ensure maximum benefit to the

school and increase effectiveness
Email to staff to inform them of situation
- conduct business as usual.
Minimize disruptions to the day.
Alert campus security and local police.
Be informed and ready (just in case).
Recruit site rep or Ms. Digits to help with
It might help to have confirmation of
talking with protesters.
districts compliance to transfer policies.
At district office, discreetly ask Mr. Sped
to meet with you at the end of day andNo need to make a scene, get
return to school (his class) immediately.certificated teacher back into the
classroom.

How did I handle the situation?

What did I do?

Why?

Prioritize my actions:

To ensure maximum benefit to the school and

increase effectiveness

Contacted Assistant Principal and School

Psychologist to with instructions to begin a
meeting with students and alert campus
security

To keep remaining students on campus and

begin discussion with students to allow them to
air their concerns and feel as if they have a
voice.

At district office, discreetly ask Mr. Sped to meet

with you at the end of day and return to school
(his class) immediately. Coax the parent/student
crowd to join the meeting at school that is
already in progress

Once Mr. Sped understands the ramifications to

himself and departs the crowd will be more
willing to listen.

Call a voluntary staff meeting with Ms. digits

assistance explain the situation
Schedule a school/community meeting

It is important to have the staff cooperation

showing a unified front when speaking with
students and parents
Allow community to air their concerns, Clearly

F.R.I.S.K.

Facts

Rules

Impact

Suggestions
or
Directives

Knowledge

What would you include in Mr. Speds F.R.I.S.K.

document?
Would it be a warning or be placed in his personnel
file?

To:

Mr Sped
Teacher
Dry Creek Middle School
From: Mrs. Incharge
Principal
Dry Creek Middle School
August 9, 2016
Subject: Written disciplinary action for unprofessional conduct

On August 9, 2016 you left campus leaving your class in the supervision of a non certificated assistant.
You also enticed students to leave campus. These actions are in direct violation of your contract section 6.6 and
board policy 5412 Teachers shall be present at their respective rooms and open them to admit students no less
that 15 minutes before the time when school starts
And BP 4219 Employees conduct should enhance the integrity of the district, advance the goals of the
districts educational programs, and contribute to a positive school climate.
Your actions on August 9th 2016 negatively impacted this school by placing your students in a state
where they did not have the proper supervision. And while you may have disagreed with the district your conduct
was not advancing the goals of the district.
In the future you are expected to act in a more professional manner. Your door is to be open and you are
to be accessible to students at 8:15.
I also inform you that your failure to comply with the above directive will result in a formal letter of
reprimand.
As per ed-code 443011 A copy of this letter will be placed in your file after 10 days. You may prepare a
response which will be attached to this letter.