Can staff development be conducted afterschool or on the weekend?

Question: I have a follow-up question and comment on the Plain Talk question, “What is the purpose of staff development days?” I have been also wondering about these staff development days… what is going on when over 10 substitutes are called into the TLC on one day, for some type of all-day meeting that the teachers are attending? This must cost an extra amount of money for a school day, plus with a substitute the kids are not most likely getting the “best” education day. Can some of these development classes and discussions be conducted after school hours or on weekend?


Answer: No, the times we can require staff to attend staff development and trainings is governed by their contracts, and they must be done during paid hours.

Students are benefitting from these trainings. For example, we recently held training for our new literacy program during the school day. All staff received training in the morning together. In the afternoon, the teachers returned to their classrooms and were observed by the consultants who lead the training.

Trainings in the TLC are typically done by grade level, so the greatest number of teachers that would be involved on a given day would be six.
-answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent

What is the purpose of staff development days?

Question: What is the exact purpose of “staff development” days? I was told that there is new information, from NYS I assume, that needs to be relayed to the teaching staff. It makes me wonder why school districts spend the money on transportation costs, etc., basically paying for the operational costs for a full day, for a half day of “instruction?” (The quotation marks imply my belief that very little instruction is taking place.) Couldn't all of this information that the staff needs be sent out in an e-mail for personal review? Our kids would get full days of instruction and taxpayer money would be better spent.


Answer: Broadalbin-Perth, like all school districts in New York State, is mandated by the New York State Education Department to provide formal staff development to all instructional staff. Staff development days do not include meetings to provide information to staff that could be disseminated through e-mail. Our instructional staff spends staff development days involved in professional development that includes face-to-face trainings and workshops.

During the 2009-10 school year, the State Education Department granted districts eight shortened school days per year for staff development.

Most recently, staff attended a workshop on educating children on the autism spectrum. Because the district aims to provide the best quality education for every student, it is necessary to hold specific trainings that address the needs of students. The district believes the benefit of trainings is that teachers return to the classroom better-equipped to teach effectively.

Instruction takes place every day that students are in school, even if it is a half day staff development day.
-answered by Stephen Tomlinson, District Superintendent

February break clarification

Question: The district calendar says there is no school on Feb. 11, 12, 15 and 16. However, the home page of the district Web site says that break is Feb. 12-16. Is Feb. 11 a scheduled day off?

Answer: February 11 is a superintendent's conference day. On that day, district staff reports to school, but students do not. Feb. 12-16 is designated as February Break, and neither staff nor students are to report on those days.
- answered by Georgia Baldwin, District Clerk