Mentor Public Schools: Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC)

Mentor Public Schools
Local Professional Development Committee
By-Laws

Governance

The Mentor Public Schools Local Professional Development Committee (MPDC) policy, procedures, and governance shall not supersede the negotiated agreement between the Mentor Teachers Association and the Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education. Individual professional development plans submitted to the MPDC and approvals and/or denials, there of, shall not override the negotiated agreement between the Mentor Teachers Association and the Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education and/or district policy.

Purpose

The purpose of the Mentor Public Schools Local Professional Development Committee is to review individual professional development plans submitted by the certificated/Licensed staff, and if approved, monitor the course work and/or activity proposals; and to grant or deny credit of course work/activities for the issuance of a certificate or license renewal.

Representation

Two elementary teachers, one middle school teacher, and one high school teacher; four-year terms with alternate selection; selection and election process to be determined by the Mentor Teachers Association.

Definition of classroom teacher:

any bargaining unit member holding a valid Ohio teaching certificate/license issued by the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).

For the purpos of identification as elementary or secondary, a teacher engaged in both elementary and secondary assignments shall be designated at the division at which the majority of their student contact time is scheduled. Anyone so appointed shall be allowed to finish the duration of their term despite any transfer (voluntary or involuntary) which takes place prior to the completion of their term.

One elementary principal or supervisor, one secondary administrator or supervisor appointed by the Superintendent.

Definition of principal, administrator, supervisor:

any individual employed by the Mentor Schools for the majority of their assignment time as a principal, assistant principal, unit principal, director, supervisor, or coordinator not a member of the bargaining unit, and who holds a valid Ohio administrator’s, or supervisor’s certificate or license issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

The Assistant Superintendent/Human Resources as appointed by the Superintendent.

Per Board of Education/Mentor Teachers Association Memorandum of Understanding of March 2001 service on the Mentor Professional Development Committee shall be for one full term (four years). A teacher may apply for a second term if there is no interest expressed by another teacher to be appointed to the position. Terms begin with the September meeting and conclude with the August meeting.

Committee Officers

Chairperson:	Elected by a simple majority of the MPDC members. Responsibilities: Conduct the MPDC meetings; Communicate information to the MPDC members; Represent the MPDC; Coordinate the filling of vacancies on the MPDC.
Recorder:	Elected by a simple majority of the MPDC members. Responsibilities: Maintain and distribute minutes of MPDC meetings and act as Time Keeper (Distribution: building principals; MPDC Committee Members; MTA Senior Representatives; Superintendent of Schools; Elementary and Secondary Directors; MTA President; and the Human Resources Office).
Teacher Liaison:	Appointed by the Chairperson. Responsibilities: Receive, organize, and present to the MPDC individual professional development proposals and/or plans submitted for credit; Notify applicants of (approval, resubmission, or denial) status of the individual professional development proposals and/or plans for credit. Represent the Chairperson/MPDC at other meetings.
Administrative Liaison:	Appointed by the Chairperson. Responsibilities: Receive, organize, and present to the MPDC individual professional development proposals and/or plans submitted for credit; Notify applicants of (approval, resubmission, or denial) status of the individual professional development proposals and/or plans for credit. Represent the Chairperson/MPDC at other meetings.

Removal

The MPDC Committee member has contractual obligations to perform the services and duties specified by the committee and the MPDC bylaws and to attend meetings on a regular basis. Should a committee member miss two meetings in a contract year or fail to perform their duties he/she may be subject to immediate removal from the committee. The decision for removal will be made by the MTA Executive Board upon recommendation from the MPDC committee. The President of MTA shall recommend to the MTA Representative Council a replacement for the removed individual. This individual shall serve for the remainder of the current term. Should there be less than two years remaining on the term the individual shall be eligible for appointment to another term.

MPDC Committee Procedures

The MPDC shall hold regular meetings once per month, excluding July. The regular monthly meetings shall be scheduled for the year during the August meeting. The chairperson may cancel the meetings if no individual professional proposals or plans have been submitted, and if no other issues have been raised.

An emergency meeting of the MPDC may be called by the chairperson.

A quorum necessary to conduct MPDC business shall be four members.

A majority of the MPDC (four members) must agree upon any proposal or plan for it to be considered approved. A time limit of 15 minutes per proposal, plan, course review will be adhered to by all MPDC members.

The MPDC shall keep confidential (except where governed by Ohio “Sunshine laws”) all reviews, evaluations, and discussions of the Individual Professional Development Proposals or Plans and/or course/activity proposals. No documents submitted for consideration by the MPDC shall be used as examples without written permission of the proposal/plan creator.

Copies of meeting minutes/actions/records shall be provided to the Superintendent, Secondary and Elementary Directors, Human Resources Department, principals, Senior Faculty Representatives, and MTA president by the Recorder.

Notification of Reviewed Individual Professional Development Proposals/Plans shall be returned to the applicant within five days after the scheduled MPDC meeting.

A certificate of credit awarded for course work or alternative activities must be provided by the applicant for inclusion in their personnel file. The MPDC will provide an Alternative Activity Verification Form for applicant use.

No previously completed form shall be used as an example without written permission of the applicant (owner of the proposal) involved.

Appeals

Level I – Written Appeal
Written appeals shall be submitted to the MPDC chairperson within 20 contract days of denial of an Individual Professional Development Proposal/Plan or credit proposal. If a written appeal is not filed with the MPDC Chairperson within the 20 days timeframe, the Committee reserves the right to deny consideration. All written appeals will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the MPDC. Written notification of the committee’s action will be made within five contract days or 30 calendar days of the meeting, whichever comes first.

Level II – Appeal Before the MPDC Committee
If a written appeal is denied, an individual has the right to make an appeal in person at the next regularly scheduled monthly MPDC meeting. A written request for inclusion on the agenda must be submitted to the MPDC chairperson no later than five contract days prior to the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Written notification of the MPDC Committee’s decision shall be provided to the applicant within five contract days or 30 calendar days of the meeting, whichever comes first.

Level III – Terminal Ruling
If the prior two levels of appeal have resulted in a determination not satisfactory to the applicant, (s)he may request a Terminal Ruling, i.e. – a binding decision rendered by a three person mediation team independent of the MPDC. The three person mediation team will consist of: one person chosen by the applicant, one by the Superintendent of Schools, and one selected by the MTA president. The three members selected must hold a valid Ohio Department of Education certificate or license. The decision of the mediation team is final and unwavering. Written notification from the Superintendent of Schools of the terminal ruling will be made within five contract days or 30 calendar days, whichever comes first. Should an appeal be reversed in favor of the applicant, the Superintendent of Schools will sign-off on the “L.P.D.C. Verification Form For Certification Renewal” issued by the Ohio Department of Education.

Amendments

The MPDC will review the Standards and Bylaws of the MPDC at the regularly scheduled August meeting. The Budget will be reviewed at the regularly scheduled January meeting. The MPDC may recommend revision of this document by a vote of five MPDC members in favor of the amendment. Any such amendment shall be ratified by the Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education and the Mentor Teachers Association. This shall take place within the lesser of ten contract days or 30 calendar days and shall result in a Memorandum of Understanding. Such approved Memoranda shall be in force until the implementation of the next negotiated agreement, when such amendments shall be considered for inclusion in the collective bargaining agreement unless terminated by mutual agreement.

Amendments altering the requirements for approved Individual Professional Development Proposals/Plans and/or approved course/activity proposals shall not negatively impact any individual who has already begun pursuit of a certificate or license.

Amendments may be suggested by any certificated, licensed, employee by submission in writing to the MPDC chairperson, who shall make the MPDC cognizant of such suggestions at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Policy 1: Submission of Individual Professional Development Plans

It is the responsibility of each certificated/licensed employee to monitor the expiration date(s) of his/her certificate(s) or license(s). The employee is reminded to review the requirements for renewal annually and to ask questions of the LPDC or Human Resources Office if unsure of the process.

If you have a permanent certificate on file, coursework forms must only be submitted for approval of MEAPS. Approval is not needed for graduate credit. After the permanent certificate is issued you will need a “last time” new IPDP that reflects your current certificate number.

Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP)
Professional development included within an IPDP should reflect the needs of the community, district, building, classroom, or individual. The certificated professional development indicated should be relevant to the current licensed areas. The exception to this would be for the individual who is participating in an approved graduate level program designed to meet the certification/licensure requirements for administration, supervision, school psychologist, counseling, or a new area of licensure.

Course work must conform to any of the existing negotiated agreement language for consideration. Other courses/classes/workshops may be submitted as Equivalent Activities.

All employees of the Mentor Exempted Village School District who hold an Ohio provisional/professional certificate(s) or license(s), MUST have an approved IPDP on file with the MPDC upon the receipt of their new License prior to enrolling in additional course work.

The applicant will submit his/her IPDP electronically for review.

Applicants enrolled in a Master’s program must submit an IPDP electronically. Additionally, a hard copy of an official course of study signed by the university advisor must be submitted to Human Resources.

The classes stated on the course of study are approved. Any unspecified electives or additional coursework must be submitted separately for approval.

Any IPDP submitted deemed unacceptable by the MPDC shall be returned to the applicant. The proposal may be resubmitted for consideration at the next regularly scheduled monthly MPDC meeting.

Notification of Reviewed IPDPs will be made to the applicant within five contract days of the review during the regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

IPDPs which are denied may be resubmitted with modifications. A teacher who wishes to appeal a MPDC decision must do so within 20 contract days.

The MPDC shall keep all IPDP reviews, evaluations, and discussions in meetings confidential.

Policy 2: Submission of Course Work / Activity Proposals

Course work/Activity Proposals
Course work, pre-approved classes, CEU classes/workshops, and/or Alternative Activities which will be used to satisfy the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) renewal requirements MUST be approved by the Mentor Professional Development Committee (MPDC) prior to completion of the course.

Course work must be from ODE accredited providers.

CEU’s providers must be approved by the MPDC.

Applications for Alternative Activities must have prior approval of the MPDC.

Although required work within a Master’s Degree program applies to the university degree, courses submitted to the MPDC for certification/license renewal purposes must be relevant to an approved IPDP. Course work shall be approved if applicant is in an approved degree program such as administration, supervisor, guidance counselor, or a new area of licensure.

Credit hours must be earned during the current certification/license renewal period, and must meet previously established ODE guidelines for acceptability toward certification renewal. Some coursework may begin during one renewal period and then finish in the next period. Credit will be given in the renewal period in which the course is completed.

Only Alternative Activities initiated on or after September 1, 1998 will be eligible for approval by the MPDC.

New employees who were previously employed in another district who hold certificate(s) or license(s) issued by the ODE and who have had their course work/activities approved by their previous LPDC will be approved by the Mentor Public Schools Local Professional Development Committee when accompanied by verifiable supporting documentation.

University Credit Toward Certification/Licensure Renewal
Course work must be relevant to an approved IPDP. Applicants enrolled in an approved graduate program in the areas of administration, supervision, guidance counseling, or a new area of licensure will have their program considered “relevant” by the MPDC.

The appropriate course work form shall be approved PRIOR to the completion of the course where consideration for said course toward renewal is sought. If unique situations arise where prior approval is not possible for verifiable reasons, the MPDC may waive the requirements for prior approval. Such waiver requests should be filed in writing with the MPDC chairperson as soon as possible, and will be considered at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the MPDC. ***Credit for course work begun prior to proposal approval is not guaranteed.***

Credit for Equivalent Activities
Mentor Equivalent Activity Points (MEAPs) shall be awarded for the re-certification/licensure credit based upon the standards established by the Mentor Public Schools MPDC. Activities must be directly relevant to an approved IPDP and must receive prior approval by the MPDC prior to beginning any such activity. For the “other approved activities” category (see below) individuals must submit an alternative activity proposal form.

MEAP Equivalent Credit
MEAPs shall be approved by the Mentor Public Schools MPDC. The following guidelines will be used in determining MEAP credit:

1 hour of contact time = 1 MEAP (Mentor Equivalent Activity Point)

10 MEAPs = 1 CEU (Continuing Education Unit) or 1 PDU (professional development units)

3 CEUs/PDU’s = 1 Semester hour equivalent

A Maximum of three semester hours earned through MEAPS may be used toward 15 hours for salary schedule advancement.

Staff Development
Staff Development activities provided by Mentor Schools may be eligible for MEAP’s. A MPDC Certificate of Credit for MEAP’s must be forwarded to the Human Resources Department following participation in staff development activities.

Alternative Activities
A MPDC Alternative Activity Verification Form must be obtained and forwarded to the Human Resources Department. Justification will be required for any alternative activity credit being sought and is left to the discretion of the MPDC. The “Other Approved Activities” category exists to encourage initiative, exploration, and professional leadership in the field of Education. MEAP credit will be awarded on a ratio of:

3 hours preparation = 1 MEAP

1 hour contact = 1 MEAP

Justification will be required for any alternative activity credit being sought and is left to the discretion of the MPDC.

The MPDC is not restricted by these guidelines to awarding credit solely based on contact time. Justification will be required for any alternative activity credit being sought and is left to the discretion of the MPDC. The formula established by the MPDC will be used in granting MEAP credit for alternative activities. Once an alternative activity proposal is approved, it is the responsibility of the applicant to fully complete the components of the project as listed on the alternative activity proposal form. If modifications to the project/activity are necessary, these modifications should be SUBMITTED IN WRITING to the CHAIRPERSON of the MPDC as soon as possible. Modifications will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the MPDC held on the second Wednesday of each month. Any deviation from the original proposal may result in a change in the number of MEAPs granted.

Alternative activities include, but are not limited to the following:

Structured Assessment
Participation in structured assessment models (e.g. -- Pathwise, TESA - Teacher Expectation Student Achievement).
Involvement In A Development/Improvement Process
Participation in response to a shared need for change at a school level (e.g. -- Initiating Intervention Based Assessment/Multi-Factored Evaluation, North Central Evaluation, involvement in curriculum development or program development, and other models of school improvement).
Training
Participation includes exploration of theory, demonstrations of practice, supervised trial of new skills, and coaching within the workplace. Outcomes should include changes in attitudes and transfer of training. For example -- conducting professional conferences, professional presentations, and teaching in a college/adult education setting. Please note: MEAP’s will not be granted if the “teaching” could be construed as a “second job” where a salary is provided.
Inquiry/Action Research
Conducting a focused in-depth study of a concept, a theory or approach within a content field over time. Individuals or groups of teachers identify a problem of interest, explore ways of collecting data that may range from examining existing theoretical and research literature to gather original classroom or school data, analyze and interpret data. Changes are made and new data are gathered and analyzed to determine the effects of the intervention. Credit is awarded to individuals based upon their contribution to the activity.
Grant Writing
Individuals or groups who write grant proposals will be awarded licensure credit based on the amount of time and effort required (i.e. -- Mentor Schools Foundation Grants, Gund, or Martha Holden Jennings Grants). Credit will not be dependent upon success in being awarded funding.
District, State, and National Committee Service
Commissions, task forces, and working groups, etc., of professional educational organizations (i.e. -- Ohio Department of Education, Regional Professional Development Committee, Continuous Improvement Plan, and others).
Presenting At Local, State, and National Events/Conferences
To recognize professional contributions in the form of an academic presentation to educational organizations. Credit will be given for initial presentation to these groups.
Publishing (Books or Articles)
Publishing books, articles for professional journals, or articles in community newspaper (NOTE: letters to the editor and interviews would not be acceptable).
Pursuing National Board Certification
A voluntary process which recognizes high quality of teaching. The entire Board Certification process must be completed, but Board Certification need not be awarded to complete licensure requirement. (90 meaps will be awarded upon completion)
Community/Business Educational Improvement Activity
Activity that forms a partnership between school/community/business. This collaboration should lead to greater learning, teaching, leadership (E.g. -- Design and coordinate with local businesses a series of Math Nights for parents. Design and coordinate with local business professionals a school career day).
District Committee Chairperson
Chairing a major district committee (i.e. -- curriculum, staff development).
Attending National Professional Conferences
Educators attending a national educational conference MAY be granted MEAP’s credit if the committee deems the application presented demonstrates positive, active, participation by the attendee.

This is not a complete list. Additional applications may be made to the MPDC for other activities. The anticipated benefits to students, the community, colleagues, and the district will be a major determining factor in approval.

Duties which are part of one’s regular teaching assignment or paid supplemental contracts / stipends will not be considered for MEAP credit.

An alternative activity form shall be approved PRIOR to the beginning of an activity where MEAPs are sought. If unique situations arise where prior approval is not possible for verifiable reasons, the MPDC may waive the requirement for prior approval. Such waiver requests shall be FILED IN WRITING with the CHAIRPERSON of the MPDC as soon as possible, and will be considered at the next regularly scheduled monthly MPDC meeting. Credit for activities begun prior to proposal approval is not guaranteed.

REVISED: 2008

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