Incivility by teachers can turn into behavior that injures careers. Workplace "mobbing" or bullying begins when an individual becomes the target of disrespectful and harmful behavior. Recounts experiences of two teachers. Offers suggestions to school leaders to stop this incivility. (MLF)

Principals should be given collective bargaining rights because their working conditions may be worse than teachers'. Without tenure, collective bargaining rights, or even multiyear contracts, principals in Rhode Island and elsewhere are powerless. States with collective bargaining laws extending to principals provide protection against school…

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 builds on earlier federal laws and clarifies the obligations school boards have toward employees with disabilities. One useful tool for figuring out what reasonable accommodations are necessary is the Work Experience Survey. A resource list identifies additional sources of information on employer…

Search committees should evaluate each candidate for the superintendency on the basis of 10 risk factors: (1) spouse with a career; (2) children in high school; (3) home ownership; (4) unfamiliarity with the community; (5) salary equal to or less than current compensation; (6) high-cost area; (7) candidate or spouse in school; (8) unattractive job…

Defines sexual harassment and reminds school boards of their moral and legal obligation to protect employees and maintain an intimidation-free workplace. Offers several tips for preventing sexual harrassment and for launching investigations into complaints. (MLH)

Many substitute teachers are underpaid, undertrained, and "invisible" employees lacking health benefits and respect from regular colleagues. Grass-roots organizing efforts have improved working conditions for subs in two Florida and California districts. Districts' improvement initiatives should be guided by concerns for student…

The Ashtabula County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities in Ohio has developed an alternative to arbitration. The local conciliation committee, composed of representatives of both management and labor, plus a nonvoting, objective adviser, is a third level in the grievance procedure. Benefits include resolution of conflicts…

Lack of privacy, personal attack, and community controversies are among the job-related problems cited by a number of board members. Suggested survival strategies include the following: do your homework, make no promises, learn to deal with the news media, maintain your equilibrium, and do what is best for the children in the long run. (MLF)

Accomplished teachers are leaving the profession by the thousands (7% yearly). A 1997 National Center for Education Statistics survey found that dissatisfied teachers leave because of student discipline and motivation problems, inadequate administrative support, poor salary, and insufficient influence over school policies and practices. The…

A dozen schools in Colorado opened their doors to professional performance auditors to evaluate their effectiveness and efficiency. The audit reports recommended finding precise costs of functions, programs, and operations; minimizing duplication; and increasing accountability. (MLF)

One advantage to an interim administrative position is that the public cuts short-timers a little slack. Temporary administrators can learn on the job and become experts on specialized subjects. Personnel issues demand more time than interims possess. Such positions usually do not turn into long-term contracts. (MLH)

Building teacher morale involves more than compliments, plaques, and one-time events. Teacher morale is higher in schools where principals create a positive school culture and climate. Sinking teacher morale generally accompanies sinking student achievement. Time constraints, excessive workloads, and insufficient classroom resources take their…

Relevant court cases suggest that administrators develop communication regulatory policies that restrict use of the school as a communications forum by both inside and outside interest groups. (CJH)