As you may be aware, authorities are beginning to see evidence that Ohio’s proactive approach to the COVID-19 pandemic is successfully “flattening the curve” by limiting exposure through difficult but necessary measures, such as social distancing and the shutdown of non-essential activities. It is more critical than ever that our individual and collective efforts remain focused on limiting our exposure to potential infection even as we attempt to continue to provide learning opportunities for our students.

CEA has been made aware that some administrators have been soliciting volunteers for activities such as passing out district devices or distribution of instructional materials at school buildings. Other members have taken it upon themselves to organize drop-off of materials at students’ homes. While these initiatives are well intentioned and admirable in their selflessness, they also increase the likelihood of CEA member and community exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Pursuant to the recently negotiated School Closings Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), no CEA bargaining unit member can be directed to perform job duties which contradict the orders of the Governor of Ohio or the Director of the Ohio Department of Health regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. This provision applies to Ohio’s current Stay at Home Order (including social distancing requirements), which remains in effect through 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2020. We understand that as educators our instinct is to do whatever it takes for our students. However, no matter how important our work to provide learning opportunities is, the most important thing we can do for our students and families right now is to heed orders and recommendations of our state authorities to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

CEA urges all members not to volunteer to take part in school building and/or in-person work activities. If you are directed by an administrator to participate in such an activity or report to a worksite, please report the directive to CEAHealthSafety@ceaohio.org immediately. Thank you once again for your efforts on behalf of our students, community, and each other amidst unprecedented circumstances.

CEA and CCS have reached a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering work rules during the COVID-19 school closings. Please check both your personal and District email for details. The MOU, related documents, and Master Agreement can be found on this website on the Contract page.

CEA’s March 24, 2020 update includes expectations, evaluations, personal devices, CEA survey results, and OEA Action Alert. CEA will continue to update members regularly via the ceaohio.org website and social media.

Expectations

CEA continues to engage in conversation with the District regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing work rules during this period. Until an agreement is reached, all provisions of the CEA-CCS Master Agreement remain in place. If you receive a directive from your supervisor that you believe may violate our contract, please email CEA immediately at tellcea@ceaohio.org.

Follow-up any non-contractual “request” from a supervisor with an email ask; “Am I being directed to do this?” If the answer is yes, forward the response to CEA. Our current Master Agreement is available electronically at www.ceaohio.org/cea-contract/.

Evaluations

It is the position of CEA and our state affiliate, the Ohio Education Association, that no components of evaluations which have previously occurred only in person should be done virtually (i.e. observations).

To date, the Ohio Department of Education has not issued guidance on this issue. We are aware of last week’s email message from District administration to evaluators instructing them to complete evaluation components virtually. CEA has already sent a formal letter to the District regarding the contractual violations and multiple licensure issues this directive represents. It is the intent of the CEA members on our CEA-CCS Joint Evaluation Panel to schedule a meeting and vote formally to halt evaluations pending ODE guidance. In the meantime, despite our desire to work cooperatively with the District during this unprecedented situation, we are prepared to file a grievance if necessary to ensure that virtual evaluations are halted.

If you are asked to schedule a virtual component of your evaluation, please contact Teri Mullins immediately at tmullins@ceaohio.org.

Personal Devices

It is the position of CEA that the usage of personal electronic devices by District employees for conducting District business opens up CEA bargaining unit members to significant liability. This is due to data security issues (HIPPA, FERPA, information considered confidential by the District), liability (member and District liability for loss or theft of data), inconsistent member access (both hardware and software as well as internet connectivity), and member privacy (exposure of personal devices to Public Records Requests litigation, agency investigations)

Due to the unprecedented public health crisis we are facing, we understand the need for flexibility. At the very least, District email information can be retrieved if necessary from the server rather than the device itself. However, if CEA bargaining unit members are going to be directed to store data or complete other tasks such as IEPs, academic information, or student contact information, this work should be done on a District-provided device for the reasons stated above. For more information see the ODE Licensure Professional Code of Conduct – Appropriate and Responsible use of Technology.

For your own protection, please make sure that you request a District device from your supervisor in writing, even if you are aware that one cannot be provided immediately.

Survey Results

Thank you! A record number of CEA members (about two-thirds of our membership) completed last week’s survey. Your participation was absolutely critical for CEA’s efforts to advocate on your behalf. The results detail both the incredible amount of work already being done by CEA members and the immense challenges we face regarding student and family access to distance-learning technology. These results have been shared with District leadership. View the full survey results at the link below:

Full CEA COVID-19 Survey Results

OEA Action Alert

The Ohio General Assembly is set to meet this week to vote on pressing issues related to the current health crisis and its impact on schools and other functions of government. Among these issues is a proposal to waive state testing for this school year, deal with the delay of the primary election and address the looming deadline for EdChoice voucher applications.

Click here to urge your legislator to take action on these critical issues.

CEA Staff and Leadership Emails

John Coneglio: coneglioj@ceaohio.org
Phil Hayes: hayesp@ceaohio.org
Jeremy Baiman: baimanj@ohea.org
Tom Busher: bushert@ceaohio.org
Tai Hayden: haydent@ceaohio.org
Cindy Love: lovec@ceaohio.org
Teri Mullins: tmullins@ceaohio.org
Dorothy Wilson: dwilson@ceaohio.org
Kathy Wilkes: wilkesk@ceaohio.org
Michelle Crouse: crousem@ceaohio.org