COACE works with the Diocese to help make an agreement every three years that principals and teachers can go to when there are questions or issues, without this agreement there would be no guide to go to and issues and contracts would be between just the teacher and their school. In order for COACE to help the teachers we need to participate and become members to help us help them. Our members are the ones who give the board issues need to be addressed or problems to be fixed that the board members themselves may not know are happening in schools. Numbers strengthen the organization.

In order to join go to COACE.com and click on Membership, here you will find a form to fill out. The cost is $300 for full time teachers and $150 for part time teachers and religious.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. For small issues or for contract questions, contact your building representative.
2. If you are unsure or would like to not discuss an issue with a coworker in your building, using your personal email, you can contact the Vice President Lori Schnegg at (614) 588-3036/[email protected] . She can help with issues and also contact the President Nick DiFeo for you.

If you have an issue please contact your building representative or the COACE vice-president and he/she can help you move on to the next appropriate step.

Article 7 in the COACE Agreement discusses building environment issues such as what items and equipment that should be available to teachers, teacher lounges, cleanliness of teacher and student areas and what materials should be provided. This section also discusses class size.

For more information regarding staff or committee meetings please refer to the COACE Agreement Article 8.

Every school is in charge of maintaining the personnel file for each teacher, Article 9 in the agreement can explain what is allowed to be in the file. It is encouraged to periodically check your file for accuracy. Article 9.3 and 9.4 addresses what steps to take if an inaccurate item is in a teacher’s personnel file.

The following articles in the COACE Agreement address this question:

• Article 10.4 outlines how many events outside of the school day a principal can require a teacher’s presence.
• Article 10.4 outlines the time a teacher’s day can start and end.
• Article 10.5 outlines the provisions of the calendar for student and professional development days.

Article 10.2 in the COACE Agreement states that a teacher must have a scheduled 30 uninterrupted, duty free and consecutive minutes for lunch between the hours of 10:30 and 1:30.

Yes, please refer to Article 11 in the COACE Agreement.

Yes, Article 12.1 outlines that the advisory council must meet at least once a year with additional meetings as needed.

Yes, Article 13 outlines the provisions for fee waivers and tuition reimbursement.

Article 14 outlines paid leave.
Article 15 outlines unpaid leave.

Articles 14 and 15 break down types of leave a teacher may need to take.

In the event a school must close or consolidate a teacher must be notified no later than April 15th, guidelines and provisions may be found in Article 16.

Teacher on a limited teaching contract are not guaranteed renew at the end of a school year. For guidelines please to Article 19.

If a principal determines at anytime that a teacher is underperforming an improvement plan may be put in place. Policy regarding improvement plans are outlined in Article 18.

Continuing contracts will only be given only upon the request of the teacher. To qualify for a continuing contract a teacher meets the guidelines in Article 19.6.

Article 21 discusses insurance for teachers, if you have any specific questions please contact the downtown office. Additionally, details of employee benefits can be found on the Human Resources website of the Diocese of Columbus.

Article 22 outlines the salary scale for each school year. The salary scale is also posted on the COACE website.

Article 23 outlines the supplemental pay categories and salary scale.

If you are going to move on the salary scale the teacher must inform the school by April 15th that the move will take place on the next contract.

If your child is a student at a COACE Diocesan school within Franklin County, Article 24 outlines the guidelines for elementary and high school tuition.