Clicking on a link below will take you to the queries on that topic. If you do not see an answer to your immediate concern here then please contact the appropriate O.F.T. support officer.

Questions about our Contract
(For more info please take a look at our Union Contract on-line.)

1. Can I take an in-service course or graduate course before I finish my masters?
   You can take it, but you the credit will not be used for advancement on the salary schedule. For further information, contact your Building Union Representative.
   
2. How do I move horizontally on the salary schedule?
   By taking courses to each a Masters’ Degree and then 30, 60, 75 credits above the Masters’. For the specific Contract stipulations see Article II in our Union Contract on-line.
   
3. Do I need to get prior approval before I take a course?
   Yes.
   How do I get it?
   Go to http://www.MyLearningPlan.com, sign-in, find the course and request your approval. For further information, contact your Building Union Representative.
   
4. What do I do if I need a day for an ill family member or a doctor’s appointment for a family member?
   You have three personal days, use one . For the specific Contract wording for sick and personal days see Article IV in our Union Contract on-line.
   

1. Who do I speak to about health and/or dental insurance?
   Donna Alexander in the District Office, ext. 1208
   
2. I never received my NYSUT membership card. Who do I contact?
   For further information contact our O.F.T. Membership Chair.
   
3. Questions on NYSUT member benifits?
   Goto http://memberbenefits.nysut.org/
   
4. Questions on AFT Member Benefits?
   Goto http://www.aft.org/aftplus/index.html
   

1. How many observations will I have?
   A minimum of 3 written observations with a pre and post conference. For futher information contact your Building Level Union Representatives.
   
2. Do I have to do a club, or come back at night, for a play, or run a spelling bee, etc. if my principal asks me to?
   Any activity/event outside the regular responsibilities of your position is optional. However, we encourage all teacher, tenured or untenured to participate in clubs, sports, etc. Understand that our contract provides compensation for such positions through saleries and hourly rates of pay.
   For futher information contact your Building Union Representative.
   
3. Who should I go to if I have a problem in my class?
   Talk to a colleague and/or your Building Rep. List Building Rep names with district e-mail
   
4. Who do I go to if I have a problem with a parent?
   Talk to a colleague and/or contact your Building Union Representative.
   
5. What is appropriate for discussions on Conference Night?
   Talk to a colleague and/or contact your Building Union Representative.
   
6. How do I refer a child to the Child Study Team in my building?
   Talk to a colleague and/or contact your Building Union Representative.
   
7. Who should I turn to if I need help with the curriculum or time management in my class?
   Talk to a colleague and/or contact your Building Union Representative.
   
8. What should I know about NYSUT?
   " What every new NYSUT member should know" is the booklet given out by the OFT. An on-line version can be found at http://www.nysut.org/newmember/contents.html
   
9. What should I do on Back to School Night?
   Talk to a colleague and/or contact your Building Union Representative.
   
10. What should I know about AFT?
    New AFT members info http://www.aft.org/newmembers/index.html
    
11. Who will help me learn how to do the report cards?
    Talk to a colleague and/or contact your Building Union Representative.
    
12. I need eyeglasses. Is there any coverage?
    Yes, through our Welfare Fund for Teachers. For further information contact our O.F.T. Financial Secretary.
    
13. What happens if I can’t attend a mandated Staff Development course?
    See your supervisor for an option. For further information contact our Oceanside Staff Development Policy Board President, Betsy Weinman.
    
14. Who do I speak to about health and/or dental insurance?
    Donna Alexander in the District Office, ext. 1208
    
15. I never received my NYSUT membership card. How do I contact them?
    For further information contact our O.F.T. Membership Chair.
    
16. How do I sign up for AFLAC Cancer Insurance?
    For further information contact our O.F.T. Financial Secretary.
    
17. Why should I fill out the form for the free $20,000 life insurance the OFT gives to me?
    Because it costs you nothing and while you CAN get more coverage, you are under no obligation to do so. For further information contact our O.F.T. Financial Secretary.
    

1. If I take a Family Emergency Medical Leave of Absence(FEMLA), can I then take a Child Rearing Leave right after?
   No.
   
2. How long can I take for a child rearing leave?
   2 year max.
   
3. When am I allowed to return from a Child Rearing Leave?
   At the start of the school year, or in February. IF there is an opening.
   
4. What if I asked for a 2 yr leave but want to return after 1 year or visa versa?
   Requests to return early or to extend the leave to 2 years must be made in writing to the Superintendent.
   
5. Can a man take child rearing leave or Family Emergency Medical Leave of Absence(FEMLA)?
   Yes, and the same rules apply.
   
6. If I don’t have tenure, can I take a child-rearing leave?
   Yes, but it will affect your seniority date. See your Building Rep if you have further questions.