Mary Leonard on behalf of the CASE Committee

What is CASE? The Charlotte Academy for Support Employees is... a program that was jointly designed and agreed upon by CCPS and CCSPA a program that was jointly designed and agreed upon by CCPS and CCSPA a unique way to reward support employees for participating in professional development a unique way to reward support employees for participating in professional development focused on the highest needs and interests of support employees and the district focused on the highest needs and interests of support employees and the district

History CASE was nearly three years in the making before classes were offered beginning in Summer CASE was nearly three years in the making before classes were offered beginning in Summer The program was designed using the Charlotte Academy for Professional Educators (CAPE) Program template. The program was designed using the Charlotte Academy for Professional Educators (CAPE) Program template. The original CASE Committee was composed of CCSPA members from different job categories as well as the Directors of Human Resources/Employee Relations and Professional Development. The original CASE Committee was composed of CCSPA members from different job categories as well as the Directors of Human Resources/Employee Relations and Professional Development.

The Roll-Out CCSPA President, Bob Zipf, and CCPS Superintendent, Dr. Doug Whittaker, delivered CASE Program information presentations at school sites and work locations in Spring CCSPA President, Bob Zipf, and CCPS Superintendent, Dr. Doug Whittaker, delivered CASE Program information presentations at school sites and work locations in Spring Since then, information is continuously available and updated via and electronic bulletin boards, as well as worksite visits and presentations. Since then, information is continuously available and updated via and electronic bulletin boards, as well as worksite visits and presentations.

How does it work? There are 4 curricular areas in each CASE Tier: Personal Effectiveness Personal Effectiveness Technology Technology Effective Communication Effective Communication Workplace Safety/Health/Well-being Workplace Safety/Health/Well-being

Credit is awarded in CASE Education Units, or CEUs. One CEU = 20 hours. The cost of 1 CEU = $25. To complete a full tier of training, 15 CEUs (300 hours) of CASE training must be completed, with at least one CEU earned in each curricular area (Personal Effectiveness, Technology, Effective Communication, and Workplace Safety/Health/Well-being). To complete a full tier of training, 15 CEUs (300 hours) of CASE training must be completed, with at least one CEU earned in each curricular area (Personal Effectiveness, Technology, Effective Communication, and Workplace Safety/Health/Well-being).

After earning 1 CEU in each curricular area, the support employee decides on the area(s) of concentration for the rest of the CEUs to be earned. Course Name Number of CEUs: (1 CEU = 20 hours) Personal Effectiveness Workplace Safety/Health/ Well-being Technology Effective Communication 7 Habits of Highly Effective People1X Basic Computers for Beginners1X X ESOL 1 - A Beginning for All Educators1X Explicit Phonics1X X Four Blocks Balanced Literacy2X Microsoft Access2 X Microsoft PowerPoint and Multi-Media Resources1 XX Parent Involvement to Increase Student Achievement1 X X Technical Communications for Educators I3 XX

There are four CASE tuition payment options: Credit Card – Full amount of tuition through the use of PayPal Credit Card – Full amount of tuition through the use of PayPal Payroll deduction – Full amount of tuition Payroll deduction – Full amount of tuition Payroll deduction - $25 per paycheck Payroll deduction - $25 per paycheck Payroll deduction - $5 per paycheck Payroll deduction - $5 per paycheck

As soon as the CASE Tier requirements are completed... The participant is paid the first $350 CASE stipend, less any tuition owed. The participant is paid the first $350 CASE stipend, less any tuition owed. Thereafter, the annual CASE stipend is paid in the first paycheck of October every year for the length of the participant’s employment with CCPS. Thereafter, the annual CASE stipend is paid in the first paycheck of October every year for the length of the participant’s employment with CCPS.

The Most Frequently- Asked Question (FAQ): So, what’s REALLY in it for both parties?

So, what’s REALLY in it for both parties ? Answer Part I: For Support Employees For Support Employees It is a way to invest in the future with CCPS by paying tuition for training and ultimately earning a PERMANENT annual salary stipend(s).

So, what’s REALLY in it for both parties ? Answer Part II: For the District For the District It is a way to encourage training for support employees that addresses the highest priorities and interests of the district. In addition, because the salary stipend does not transfer to other districts, it is a retention device.

Bottom Line: It will cost the participant 300 hours of personal time and $375 in tuition to complete the first CASE tier. Upon completion, the participant will immediately be paid the first $350 CASE stipend, less any tuition still owed. The following October and each contract year thereafter, the participant will be paid the annual $350 CASE stipend.* * Only 1 CASE stipend per tier may be paid in each fiscal year.

CASE Program Evolution Beginning in (and due to exceptional demand), participation of Confidential Employees in the CASE Program was welcomed. This classification of employee is not represented by CCSPA.

Participation to Date As of January 1 st, 2012, 100 individuals have participated in the CASE Program. 22 have already completed Tier 1 10 have completed Tier 2 1 has completed Tier 3

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CASE: “I have already taken some of the courses on the list. Can I pay and get credit for them?” Answer: If the training was taken “off the clock” and no payment of any kind was received, the participant may pay the CASE tuition and the credit will be “grandfathered” into the program.

FAQs Continued “How many CASE Tiers am I allowed to complete and get paid for?” Answer: Four CASE Tiers may be completed, making the total possible annual stipend $1,400. This compensation is in addition to and independent of step increases and any other supplements.

FAQs Continued “ Does all of the training I take in the CASE Program need to be directly related to my job?” Answer: All CASE courses are recognized as relevant for all Support and Confidential Employees. Any class may be taken for enrichment purposes as well as application in one’s professional and private life.

FAQs Continued “Who can participate in CASE?” Answer: CASE is open to all CCSPA- represented employees actively employed in Charlotte County Public Schools, as well as all Confidential employees. represented employees actively employed in Charlotte County Public Schools, as well as all Confidential employees. “Who can’t participate in CASE?” Answer: Substitute and temporary employees are not eligible to participate in CASE. in CASE.

FAQs Continued “Is there any Support or Confidential Employee who shouldn’t participate in the CASE Program?” Answer: If employees are unsure of their immediate future plans and employment with CCPS, they may wish to wait to be certain that they will be able to complete the CASE Tier requirements and reap the benefit of the Tier stipend.

FAQs Continued “Where are the CASE classes held?” Answer: Classes are held both online and at various CCPS locations throughout the district. To date, the majority of the live delivery classes have been offered at the Professional Development Center.

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