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Union and district draft language limiting outsourcing, BOCES transfers and AI to protect jobs and FTE
Summary
Negotiators rewrote contract language to separate three issues — hiring outside agency workers, transfers to BOCES, and limits on generative AI — to clarify when outside services may be used and to protect association FTE.
Union negotiators presented a joint revision that separates contract language into three distinct sections covering use of outside agency workers, transfers of programs or personnel to BOCES, and limits on generative artificial intelligence.
On outside agency workers: the draft text recognizes the district’s responsibility to actively search for certified, highly qualified teachers before entering temporary service agreements with outside contractors. Temporary contracts would not exceed the length of a school year and the district would notify the association in writing of positions filled via outside agencies so such positions remain active job postings with the expectation of filling them when reasonably practicable.
On BOCES transfers: negotiators preserved the existing language about transferring district programs to BOCES but added a clarification that transfers “are used to enhance student programming, not to reduce the FTE afforded to the association.” District counsel at the table asked for time to check applicable education law and the interaction between district and BOCES collective bargaining obligations.
On artificial intelligence: the proposed language states that “generative AI and other technological developments will be used only to supplement, support, and enhance teaching and learning. They may not replace human teachers or reduce the total FTE afforded to the association.” Union negotiators and district representatives discussed concerns about foreseeable scenarios such as virtual offerings that might rely heavily on AI and that could lead to grievances.
Next steps: parties agreed to continue joint revision work and to circulate edits for review. The district requested time to check Ed Law implications of BOCES transfers and to create language that allows administrative intervention in unforeseen classroom situations while preserving protections for academic freedom and contractual processes.
Why it matters: the language aims to limit outsourcing and preserve full‑time equivalent teacher positions while recognizing operational needs to secure services when certified staff cannot be found. The AI provision restricts use of generative AI to supportive roles and explicitly disallows using AI to replace human teachers or reduce FTE.
