OEA COVID-19 Update
March 20, 2020
I hope this message finds you home safe and sound with your families. As you know things are changing not just by the day, but by the hour and even sometimes minute. Per Governor Newsom’s order, we have closed the OEA office until further notice. We will, however, be working remotely and you can contact us at the OEA email or call if there is an emergency.
We will check the OEA voicemail daily during normal business hours so please leave your name and number and we will return your calls. Check the OEA website periodically for updates.
We are receiving daily updates from CTA in relation to interpreting the Governor’s orders, directions from the Superintendent of Public instruction, Tony Thurmond, and what all of this means for us as teachers.
Please be patient as we are in communication with the District and have already sent a Demand to Bargain the effects of COVID-19 on our members, after receiving the telecommunication guidelines sent out by the district today. I want to assure you that while you are in isolation, you are not alone. We will continue to navigate this together. Below is an updated version of the Frequently Asked Questions you may hear from members.
In distance and unity,
Stacie Thurman, President
Oxnard Educators Association
2775 N. Ventura Rd. Suite 108
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 981-6424 office
oxnardea@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated 3/20/20):
Will I be paid?
Yes, The Education Code contains a hold harmless provision specifying that in the event a school is closed due to an epidemic or emergency order by a federal, state, city, or county official, the district is credited for the estimated average daily attendance (ADA) funding the school would have received if not for the epidemic or emergency order (Educ. Code Secs. 46390, 46392). The Code further specifies that a district unable to operate a full school year due to an epidemic or an emergency order by a federal, state, city, or county official is to receive “the same apportionment from the State School Fund as it would have received” if it had operated for a full school year of 175 days (Educ. Code Sec. 41422).
Update: In addition, Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order on March 13th ensuring state funding for schools even in the event of physical closure. Executive Order Number N-26-20 ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure. Among other things, the order provides that even if schools temporarily close due to COVID-19, school districts must continue to pay employees. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/13/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-ensuring-state-funding-for-schools-even-in-event-of-physical-closure/
Will schools that are closed have to make up the days at the end of the year?
The Education Code excuses districts from complying with the full school year requirements in the event of an epidemic or order by a federal, state, city, or county official in response to an emergency (Educ. Code Sec. 41422). See also Educ. Code Sec. 37202 (excusing such schools from the “equal time” requirement).
Do I need to be available to work, if the district calls?
Yes. All employees are deemed on-call in order to be eligible for paid status during the closure. As the need arises, District administration may recall employees to duty to perform essential services, as deemed necessary.
[Under California Government Code 31000-3109, all public employees in California employed by any county, state agency or public district are considered to be disaster service workers. As such, all contracted certificated and regular classified employees need to remain available, and on-call in order to be paid.]
While the scope and conditions of that work may need to be negotiated, you must be available during working hours should the district need to get in contact with you. If you are unable to be available due to illness, problems related to daycare, etc. all normal contractual leave provisions apply. Please make sure, if you are unavailable, that you enter your absence in the Frontline system as you would if school were in session.
I am retiring this year. In light of the current situation, does this year count as full service year of STRS Credit?
Yes, on March 13th 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order Number N-26-20 ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure. Among other things, the order provides that even if schools temporarily close due to COVID-19, school districts must continue to pay employees…Because school districts, county offices of education and charter schools continue to receive state funding, there should be no adverse impact to a members service credit because the member’s earnings should reflect the compensation they would have received had schools not been closed. For more information go to https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1B9UwmFuVHyHTPe2KGz-va2t59CBYwemi?fbclid=IwAR10ybnPkfPHmAbKx4RzrfeE8EnnjSEm--q4s6xzfq1o_90orvMeyiuiFBg
I am feeling overwhelmed, are there any resources available for teachers?
CTA has launched a new closed Facebook group: CTA Teaching, Learning and Life During COVID-19 to provide an online space for educators to share resources, ideas, feelings, good vibes, stories, laughs and memes. It’s a space for us to support each other and our students. Just search for “CTA Teaching, Learning and Life During COVID-19” on Facebook and ask to join.
March 20, 2020
I hope this message finds you home safe and sound with your families. As you know things are changing not just by the day, but by the hour and even sometimes minute. Per Governor Newsom’s order, we have closed the OEA office until further notice. We will, however, be working remotely and you can contact us at the OEA email or call if there is an emergency.
We will check the OEA voicemail daily during normal business hours so please leave your name and number and we will return your calls. Check the OEA website periodically for updates.
We are receiving daily updates from CTA in relation to interpreting the Governor’s orders, directions from the Superintendent of Public instruction, Tony Thurmond, and what all of this means for us as teachers.
Please be patient as we are in communication with the District and have already sent a Demand to Bargain the effects of COVID-19 on our members, after receiving the telecommunication guidelines sent out by the district today. I want to assure you that while you are in isolation, you are not alone. We will continue to navigate this together. Below is an updated version of the Frequently Asked Questions you may hear from members.
In distance and unity,
Stacie Thurman, President
Oxnard Educators Association
2775 N. Ventura Rd. Suite 108
Oxnard, CA 93036
(805) 981-6424 office
oxnardea@gmail.com
Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated 3/20/20):
Will I be paid?
Yes, The Education Code contains a hold harmless provision specifying that in the event a school is closed due to an epidemic or emergency order by a federal, state, city, or county official, the district is credited for the estimated average daily attendance (ADA) funding the school would have received if not for the epidemic or emergency order (Educ. Code Secs. 46390, 46392). The Code further specifies that a district unable to operate a full school year due to an epidemic or an emergency order by a federal, state, city, or county official is to receive “the same apportionment from the State School Fund as it would have received” if it had operated for a full school year of 175 days (Educ. Code Sec. 41422).
Update: In addition, Governor Newsom signed an Executive Order on March 13th ensuring state funding for schools even in the event of physical closure. Executive Order Number N-26-20 ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure. Among other things, the order provides that even if schools temporarily close due to COVID-19, school districts must continue to pay employees. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/13/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-ensuring-state-funding-for-schools-even-in-event-of-physical-closure/
Will schools that are closed have to make up the days at the end of the year?
The Education Code excuses districts from complying with the full school year requirements in the event of an epidemic or order by a federal, state, city, or county official in response to an emergency (Educ. Code Sec. 41422). See also Educ. Code Sec. 37202 (excusing such schools from the “equal time” requirement).
Do I need to be available to work, if the district calls?
Yes. All employees are deemed on-call in order to be eligible for paid status during the closure. As the need arises, District administration may recall employees to duty to perform essential services, as deemed necessary.
[Under California Government Code 31000-3109, all public employees in California employed by any county, state agency or public district are considered to be disaster service workers. As such, all contracted certificated and regular classified employees need to remain available, and on-call in order to be paid.]
While the scope and conditions of that work may need to be negotiated, you must be available during working hours should the district need to get in contact with you. If you are unable to be available due to illness, problems related to daycare, etc. all normal contractual leave provisions apply. Please make sure, if you are unavailable, that you enter your absence in the Frontline system as you would if school were in session.
I am retiring this year. In light of the current situation, does this year count as full service year of STRS Credit?
Yes, on March 13th 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order Number N-26-20 ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure. Among other things, the order provides that even if schools temporarily close due to COVID-19, school districts must continue to pay employees…Because school districts, county offices of education and charter schools continue to receive state funding, there should be no adverse impact to a members service credit because the member’s earnings should reflect the compensation they would have received had schools not been closed. For more information go to https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1B9UwmFuVHyHTPe2KGz-va2t59CBYwemi?fbclid=IwAR10ybnPkfPHmAbKx4RzrfeE8EnnjSEm--q4s6xzfq1o_90orvMeyiuiFBg
I am feeling overwhelmed, are there any resources available for teachers?
CTA has launched a new closed Facebook group: CTA Teaching, Learning and Life During COVID-19 to provide an online space for educators to share resources, ideas, feelings, good vibes, stories, laughs and memes. It’s a space for us to support each other and our students. Just search for “CTA Teaching, Learning and Life During COVID-19” on Facebook and ask to join.
