Summertime Checklist: What to Know Before You Unplug
Before you head into summer break, make sure you're prepared. From resignation deadlines and salary steps to service records and professional development, here's what every Texas educator should review before signing off for the season.
As educators work to wrap up their school year, there are several things to consider before heading into the summer months.
- Penalty-Free Resignation Deadline and Resignations
If an educator is seeking employment outside their current district or is planning to retire, they will need to consider how to exit their employment or contract. An at-will employee can resign at any time, but an educator with a contract must be aware of deadlines that restrict when they may unilaterally resign without consequence to their teaching certificate. Whether you are an at-will employee in a school district or at a charter school or you’re an educator with a Texas Education Chapter 21 contract, helpful information about resignations is available on our website.
- Salary
Summer provides an opportunity to review the salary schedule for the upcoming school year to see what step you might be on. Salary schedules are subject to change from year to year but are generally easily accessible through a district’s website.
- Service Record
An official service record will show years of service, state personal leave days available, and number of days worked each year. Checking a service record and salary on a regular basis is important as any discrepancy is more easily addressed the sooner it is discovered. Educators moving to a new district will need their former district to forward their service record to their new district. While most districts handle this promptly, delays in the process can lead to salary complications if your new district can’t confirm what step you’re on. Even if you are staying in the same district, it is also a good time to review your service record to make sure your district has you on the correct pay step. Here is a helpful link to TEA’s information about salary and service records.
- Payroll Schedule Cycle
Educators are paid on 12-month cycles, even though many work 10 months per year. While most districts run their payroll schedules from September to August, with September being paycheck one of 12, there are some instances where this may not be the case. Administrators, counselors, and other staff with 11- and 12-month contracts may be on a different payroll schedule, such as July to June, with July being paycheck one of 12. If an educator is changing positions within the district or moving to a different district and taking on a new role or promotion, it is a good idea to verify the current payroll schedule cycle and the new payroll schedule cycle. Sometimes, there will be a gap of a month or two between paychecks, due to the change, and preparing for such a gap is important for planning monthly financial obligations. Human resources or the payroll office will have this information available, and it can sometimes be located on a district website.
- Professional Development Obligations and Flex Days
Some educators may be required to complete professional development during summer months as a condition of their employment or to qualify for flex days in the upcoming school year. In preparation for summer, make sure you are aware of any requirements and prepare to complete the professional development. If there is a conflict, the earlier it is shared with administration, the easier it will be to resolve. And ATPE members needing to catch up on professional education hours have access to over 100 on-demand courses in the ATPE Professional Learning Portal.
- New-Hire Orientation, Convocation, & First Duty Day
Most district calendars and duty rosters are available by the end of the spring semester. Check the calendar to determine the first day to report. District calendars are available on district websites. Be prepared so you can plan to be back from your beach vacation with plenty of time!
- Charter Schools and Districts of Innovation
If summer brings a change for the upcoming school year, such as a move to a new public school district or a charter school, review information about these different education environments. Many of the rules and regulations of the Texas Education Code (TEC) and Administrative Code (TAC) do not apply to charter schools, and Texas public school districts with District of Innovation (DOI) plans may have exempted themselves from various statutes. Because a DOI and non-DOI school district may not appear to be different, educators may not realize when accepting employment that things can be very different in a DOI. DOIs may opt out of legal provisions that pertain to duty-free lunch periods, maximum class size, educator certification requirements, teacher contracts, and length of school day, among others.
Because each district’s innovation plan is unique, it is important for educators to ask or look online to see if a district they are considering has become a DOI and, if so, which Education Code provisions it has exempted itself from. Here is a link to TEA’s list of Districts of Innovation.
- Vacation or Staycation?
Whether summer brings a whirlwind vacation or a relaxing staycation at your local pool, it is important to put rest and relaxation on your summer checklist. ATPE’s exclusive menu of member discounts can help you save money on vacations, hotels, car rentals, and even theme park admission! Take some time to rejuvenate and relax. You deserve it!
The legal information provided here is accurate as of the date of publication. It is provided here for informative purposes only. Individual legal situations vary greatly, and readers needing individual legal advice should consult directly with an attorney. Please note: Rights based on the Texas Education Code may not apply to all. Many Texas Education Code provisions do not apply to public charter schools, and public school districts may have opted out of individual provisions through a District of Innovation plan. Eligible ATPE members may contact the ATPE Member Legal Services Department.
Martha Moring
Staff Attorney
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