DHBE-AP Teacher Preparation Time
West Fargo Public Schools intends to provide each full-time teacher* with designated preparation time. Part-time teachers shall schedule appropriate planning time within their designated work week.
Preparation time is considered part of teachers contracted working hours. Teachers may use preparation time for performing curricular duties. Examples of permissible preparation time activities include lesson planning, grading, meeting with individual learners, reading professional development literature, meetings as determined by themselves, their colleagues, or administrators, trainings authorized by district administration, and other curricular-related preparation activities approved by building administration.
Administration believes teachers who are completing their professional responsibilities should be provided the autonomy regarding the use of their preparation time. Teachers who are current on their professional responsibilities as defined in this policy may utilize their preparation time at their discretion.
If a teacher is asked to substitute for another staff member or asked to provide supervision or support to learners by a building administrator during preparation time, they will be paid for that time.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to report the loss of their preparation time using the building’s reporting procedure within two business days of the occurrence to receive payment. If the loss of preparation time was not at the request of the building administrator or due to subbing, the teacher must receive permission from their building administrator before missing their preparation time for payment. This will allow the building administrator to work with the teacher to resolve scheduling issues.
The superintendent will notify the teacher’s union president of any changes to this policy two weeks prior to its effective date.
* Teacher is defined as those individuals as covered by the negotiated agreement.
Adopted: 06/27/23
Reviewed:
Revised: