Download Virtual Teaching Fund Application
According to Article XXIV, Section K of the CBA
“The Employer will establish a virtual teaching fund of $12,000 per year to which employees can apply for funding for equipment and necessities incurred in virtual teaching. A virtual teaching joint labor management committee shall be established to develop the guidelines for, and to administer the fund.”
What is the purpose?
OTS and OTTO have agreed to establish a virtual teaching fund of $12,000 per year to which employees can apply for funding for equipment and necessities incurred in virtual teaching.
- The virtual teaching joint labor management committee will meet once each year, if requested by either party, for the duration of the contract to review the program guidelines and application process.
- The committee will initially meet no less than once per month for the first two months to review applications and become familiar with the process. The committee may then decide to review applications by email.
Start date of the fund:
Session 5, 2022. Applications for equipment purchased from August 29, 2022, through March 31, 2023, must be submitted within 30 days of the approval date of this agreement.
Who is covered?
Teachers covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement will be given preference.
- Priority will be given to teachers who have been with the school for three sessions.
- Teachers must be regularly teaching online or using their own equipment at OTS on a hybrid basis.
- Teachers who leave the school within a year of receiving a tech reimbursement may be required to pay back a portion of the reimbursement.
What is included?
Reimbursement for equipment including but not limited to computers, microphones, speakers, cameras, connecting cables, digital interfaces, computer keyboards, scanners, lighting, headphones.
What is not included?
Costs of internet service and non-OTS teaching platforms.
What is the limit?
$500 per calendar year per teacher.
What is the application process?
Teachers will complete a form for reimbursement. The form will be readily available on the faculty portals.
What type of documentation is required?
- An itemized receipt detailing the item purchased and the date.
- This must be submitted within 60 days of the purchase. (Exception as noted above: for items purchased between August 29, 2022, and March 31, 2023, receipts must be submitted within 30 days of the approval date of this agreement)
Appeal:
Any application that has been denied reimbursement may be appealed within 30 days of receipt of notice of denial.
What is the reimbursement process?
- The form will be reviewed by the virtual teaching joint labor management committee and, if approved, referred to the finance department for reimbursement.
- This will be paid via direct deposit within 2 weeks of approval of the application for funds. Teachers who have not yet elected direct deposit for ACH payments will need to complete the form to authorize the direct deposit.
- Any overpayments or payments that were inappropriately paid will need to be remitted to OTS.
Who should I contact with questions about disbursement of payment?
Gail Prete – gprete@oldtownschool.org
Remaining Funds:
Any remaining funds at the end of the year will be used to upgrade OTS internal online teaching equipment, administered by management.