ARTICLE XXII PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

North Kingstown School District

A. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. The parties agree to the following:

1. A Professional Development Committee (PDC), led by the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, will be comprised of curriculum coordinators, teacher volunteers and administrators.

2. The PDC shall advise the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning on the planning, scheduling, content and evaluation process for professional development days with a focus on aligning the curriculum with state and national standards and carrying out the Professional Development Goals of the North Kingstown District Strategic Plan. Unless prohibited by RIDE, each hour of activity planned for Professional Development Days (excluding Orientation Day) shall meet the requirements for a Professional Leaming Unit (PLU) and be counted and approved by the Superintendent or designee according to the District Professional Learning Plan. Each hour of any outside Professional Development, including bundled days, will count as a PLU and the Superintendent or designee along with the Union President or designee will meet and agree on the number of hours for any PLU bundle.

3. Members of the PDC shall solicit staff input to be utilized in their decision-making process.

4. Additional, individual professional-development opportunities shall continue to be available and encouraged as part of the teacher’s overall, continued professional development.

a. Approval of all district and school-sponsored professional-development experiences is the responsibility of the Superintendent and their designee.

b. Teachers will receive agendas for all professional development meetings at least two (2) days in advance.

B. The Committee and the Association recognize the ongoing need for staff professional development. Teacher participation in this professional development shall be voluntary outside of the students’ school day. Both parties pledge their support of this endeavor and the Committee further agrees to support it financially. The Association agrees to encourage its members to volunteer for such work.