ARTICLE VII PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Scituate School District

A. Professional development must focus on improving the ability of educators, schools and school systems to prepare all students to meet high standards. To that end, planning for professional development should be part of the school and district planning processes. Such planning includes a partnership between the parties to this agreement to collaborate on the development, implementation and evaluation of the district's professional development program. The activities of the professional development program should support the student achievement goals of the district, and educator Professional Learning Units (PLUs).

B. There shall be a professional development committee composed of one (1) primary level STA member from each elementary school, one (1) intermediate level STA member from each elementary school, two (2) STA members from the middle school, one (1) special educator from the middle school, two (2) STA members from the high school, one (1) special educator from the high school, and members of the Administration. The Superintendent and the STA President (or their respective designees) shall serve as co-chairs of the Committees. The Committees shall meet regularly, but in no event less than two (2) times each school year, in order to establish an ongoing review process of professional development opportunities for faculty members. Additional meetings may be requested by either co-chair. Requests shall not be umeasonably denied. Each year, the Committee shall review surveys, school based needs and initiatives, the needs of teachers for job embedded professional development, student achievement results, the school and district improvement plans, and other data sources to develop a professional development plan for the succeeding year

C. The parties recognize that the role of the Professional Development Committee is advisory to the Superintendent.

D. The Parties recognize that the Superintendent has the authority to make changes in the professional development plan and activities based on a number of factors including but not limited to 1mforeseen needs, crisis situations, directives from RIDE and budget issues. In these occurrences, the Superintendent will apprise the co-chairs of the Professional Development Committee.