Organization To File Grievance Over Teachers Losing Prep Period

Thousands of El Paso teachers could end up with more homework if they lose out on a disagreement with two local school districts.

Representatives from the Socorro American Federation of Teachers and at the El Paso Federation of Teachers are demanding changes.

They say it’s only fair that teachers get at least a 45-minute planning period everyday. “I think it’s dishonoring teachers,” said Joanne Vincent, a teacher who retired in December. “It’s showing them they don’t count.”

Vincent said it’s becoming more common than not for teachers to lose their daily planning period because of administrators requiring teachers to attend mandatory meetings during those prep periods.

“If teachers are impeded during their prep time, it almost puts them behind,” Vincent said.

The El Paso Federation of Teachers and support personnel say within the next few days it will be filing a formal grievance to ensure El Paso Independent School District and Socorro Independent School District are complying with the law.

Officials from the federation said the law requires teachers be given an average of 45 minutes a day for preparation.

The formal grievance has yet to be filed, so at this point the El Paso Independent School District isn’t able to comment on the issue.

“We certainly respect the importance of that time,” said Socorro ISD Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre. “But we also don’t believe that teachers are not being afforded that time as evidenced by our test scores and how the district has performed.”

Vincent said she hopes the grievance will make a difference for teachers because without the prep period, “They’re not on top of the game, they’re behind, and especially with elementary students you have to be on your game all the time.”