PA Cyber Special Education Association Members Continue Their Fight for a Fair, Equitable, and Just Contract

PA Cyber Polytechnic Van File Photo
The PACSEA released the following statement:

PA Cyber Special Education Association (PACSEA), the union representing 135 Special
Education Teachers and Reading Specialists employed by The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, has been bargaining a new contract with their employer since December 2021. They continue to work under the terms of a contract that expired on June 30, 2022.
PACSEA members are seeking equity and fairness with other PA Cyber educators in terms of compensation and work/life balance as their members are required to work in June, July, and August, yet their compensation remains comparable to their peers who are only required to work nine months a year.
They are also fighting for improved working conditions, which they know will further enhance their students’ learning conditions. For instance, establishing clear class size maximums will ensure that students receive the support they need and deserve. In addition to their teaching duties, the Special Education Teachers are responsible to manage an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for each student on their roster. An IEP is developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.
Teaching in a cyber school, educators are not face-to-face with their students in a building, so ensuring teachers have a reasonable number of students on their roster provides the ability to build and maintain relationships with both students and parents, which is essential and crucial for student success.
Members remain optimistic that representatives negotiating on behalf of The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School will show respect and support their teachers by working collaboratively to settle a fair, equitable, and just contract.
In a show of solidarity for their bargaining team, members of PACSEA are conducting an informational picket on Tuesday, March 28th from 4:30 – 5:30 pm in front of the PA Cyber offices located at 1200 Midland Avenue, Midland, PA 15059.