Bargaining Update: Preschool & TK Toileting Policy

SDUSD recently changed its toileting policy to come into compliance with state law, which says that Preschool and TK students can’t be denied attendance if they haven’t yet reached toileting mastery. But what it means to be a union is that SDUSD doesn’t just get to decide how that new policy will be implemented. Instead, members get to bargain over the implementation of the policy as it relates to issues that impact members – like job duties, training and safety.

The SDEA Bargaining Team includes union members Michelle Bryant (Education Specialist, Johnson El.), Sandra Alvarado (ECE Teacher, Balboa El.), Anna McAllister (Elementary Teacher, TK, Balboa El.), and Monique Barrett (Education Specialist, SDEA Vice President).

After two bargaining sessions, here’s where we’re at:

SDEA Members Proposed:

• Diapering & accident clean-up remain non-teacher duties
• Teacher job duties include:
  • Teaching intellectual & physiological awareness for toileting
  • Direct toileting support such as pulling pants up/down, handwashing
• Staff assistance for bathroom emergencies so teachers don’t have to stop teaching & leave the classroom
• District to supply every classroom with books/posters to teach toileting
• Optional, paid training on toileting support
• Sanitary supplies in every classroom
• Newly built classrooms will have bathrooms inside or within 50 feet

SDUSD Counter-Proposed:

• Teachers do diapering & accident clean-up (They said teachers must do this because it is “part of educating the whole child”)
• No staff assistance for bathroom emergencies so teachers don’t have to stop teaching & leave the classroom
• No books/posters to teach toileting, just online resources
• Unpaid, optional training on toileting support
• Sanitary supplies in every classroom
• Newly built classrooms will have bathrooms inside or within the complex

The SDEA Team clearly can’t accept SDUSD’s counterproposal and will keep bargaining. Members, stand by because the SDEA Team may call on you for support!