DOE Can't Hold Faculty Sitdowns After 3:45

By HOWARD MEGDAL

The Department of Education violated its contract with the United Federation of Teachers by instructing Principals that faculty conferences could run past 3:45 p.m., according to an arbitrator's ruling last week.

DOE issued a "Guide to Contract Changes" last November that told Principals meetings could continue past 3:45 p.m., while the contract reached between the UFT and the city a month earlier stipulates that Teachers' work days conclude at 3:45 p.m.

DOE Position 'Regrettable'

"We were confident all along that the contract was clear on this matter and that our position was correct," UFT President Randi Weingarten said in an Aug. 3 statement. "It's just regrettable that the Department of Education felt compelled to fight us to the point that we had to pursue arbitration to resolve the dispute."

Arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman ordered DOE to cease and desist directing Principals to schedule conferences outside of an October through May, 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. time-frame.

He added that he would determine if any further remedy from DOE would be necessary in his full ruling, to be issued in September.

The department declined to comment on the ruling.