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Show Job Sharing Not Pushed By Schools By TOM BUSSELBERG FARMINGTON Although Althou-gh nearly four dozen Davis School District employees work on a part-time basis, the idea of ' 'job sharing," or creating creat-ing part-time slots from full-time, full-time, isn't catching fire. ALTHOUGH 45 of the district's dis-trict's more than 2,000 employees em-ployees work under a part-time part-time basis, many of those jobs are for half-time kindergartens or other teachers where only one section is needed, explains Asst. Supt. Gayle Stevenson. Many such positions aren't half-time, but are closer to seven, eight or nine-tenths day, he continued, noting only "two or three" such conditions condi-tions in the "regular education program". GENERALLY, such part-time part-time arrangements would only be done if full-time isn't needed by the district or at an individual's request and it can be worked out advantageously for both sides. Noting there are "some disadvantages," dis-advantages," Mr. Stevenson said those out-weigh the good points, currently, although a "degree of freshness" on the parts of employees is possible unless the employee is working work-ing another job. "COMMUNICATIONS are much more difficult where given by the principal In a faculty fa-culty meeting" the part-timer might miss or if parents are trying to contact the teacher when he's not working, he explained. ex-plained. "Accountability is rendered less effective by the splitting of the contract." An extra burden sometimes falls on full-time teachers at a school where a part-time works because they must assume extra-curricular assignments that part-timec might carry, and team planning is also hampered between teachers of a same grade or subject, he went on. "PART TIMEsubstitutes are more difficult to hire-it's not impossible," but at relatively rela-tively low salary the incentive is less attractive, Mr. Stevenson Steven-son told the board. "There are some difficulties with contracts con-tracts for one-half day" as well. Only the Salt Lake City District Dis-trict has pursued a part-time policy, he explained, noting they have "very few teachers" in the program. An official there said "no more than 30" teachers are involved, with all but a few in elementary school. A SALT Lake District spokesman called job sharing "an effective means of productivity produc-tivity or we wouldn't do it the supperintendent and other administrators feel good about it. "It's becoming the wave of the future not only in education. educa-tion. Our district is borrowing from the business world," he continued, noting the increase of women entering the workforce work-force has brought added emphasis emph-asis to such programs. GRANITE, MEANWHILE, has enacted a policy opposing such a move, requiring a full-time full-time job, be filled by a full-time teacher. In Ogden, there's one experimental case in the Ogden District with none in Weber or Jordan, including rejection re-jection by the board of such a proposal in Jordan. "There's a feeling of it not being necessary neces-sary in a time of plenty of teachers. In a period of teacher shortage, (maybe) we would be grasping to do it. We do have plenty of applicants" currently, cur-rently, Mr. Stevenson saidd. Board Pres. Sheryl Allen noted "a few inquiries" had been received while Board Member Bruce Parry indicated indi-cated he felt there could be some possibilities for nonprofessional non-professional or classified staff. "Whenever we can use it, I think we should encourage it. I hope they'll keep an open mind and use it where we can." Meanwhile, speaking of an uncertain un-certain future for education, Mrs. Allen added, "Ws may have to move that direction as the teacher shortage hits us." |