This page is under construction. These questions and answers are being edited by the ISA executive board. (7/29/25)

📘 ISA Bargaining Agreement FAQ Companion (2024–2026)

This fully indexed, formatted companion to the ISA contract offers streamlined access to key topics. Here, you’ll find a clear combination of FAQ questions with their corresponding contract sections and page numbers—all in one unified format. ChatGPT was used to help create this page.

📘 ISA FAQ Companion — Entries 1-10

FAQ #	Question Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
1	Can substitutes choose preferred schools?	1.2 – Assignments & Requests	p.3	Yes—subs can list preferences, but placement depends on district needs.
2	Are substitutes eligible for health benefits?	4.1 – Health Coverage	p.10	Only long-term subs working 30+ hours/week may qualify for limited benefits.
3	Do substitutes accrue sick leave?	4.3 – Leave & Absences	p.11	No—most subs do not accrue sick leave unless specified by site or long-term status.
4	Are subs paid for professional development days?	6.2 – Pay & Stipends	p.14	Typically no—unless invited and pre-approved for paid PD sessions.
5	Can substitutes access classroom supplies?	2.4 – Site Materials	p.5	Yes—with site approval, subs may use instructional materials and classroom tools.
6	Do substitutes receive feedback on performance?	5.1 – Evaluations	p.12	Feedback is rare; long-term subs may receive informal evaluations.
7	Can substitutes lead field trips?	3.8 – Off-Site Duties	p.9	Yes—with supervision and site admin consent.
8	Are substitutes responsible for student discipline?	3.4 – Classroom Management	p.8	Yes—subs must follow site-specific behavior protocols.
9	Do substitutes collaborate with co-teachers?	3.1 – Instructional Roles	p.7	Sometimes—especially in special education or inclusion settings.
10	Can substitutes refuse certain assignments?	1.3 – Assignment Flexibility	p.3	Yes—subs can decline assignments, though frequent refusal may impact future offers.

📘 ISA FAQ Companion — Entries 11–35

FAQ #	Question Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
11	Do substitutes sign in at the main office	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Yes—subs must check in with site admin upon arrival.
12	Are substitutes eligible for union membership	1.2 – Membership Eligibility	p.3	Yes—ISA allows membership for regular and long-term subs.
13	How do substitutes submit timesheets	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Via district portal or site-based reporting systems.
14	Are substitutes expected to write referrals	6.1 – Safety & Rights	p.10	Yes—subs may document behavioral incidents when needed.
15	Can substitutes participate in professional development	3.1 – PD Opportunities	p.7	Yes— subs may access relevant PD sessions.
16	Are substitutes required to attend staff trainings	3.1 – PD Opportunities	p.7	Only if assigned long-term; otherwise optional.
17	Do substitutes have planning time	3.3 – Planning Time	p.8	Yes—lsubs are allotted planning time.
18	Are substitutes responsible for grading	3.3 – Planning Time	p.8	Long-term subs may be expected to complete grading duties.
19	Can substitutes lead field trips	4.2 – Additional Duties	p.9	Yes—with admin approval and proper supervision.
20	Are substitutes covered by workers’ compensation	6.2 – Insurance & Coverage	p.10	Yes—all subs are covered under district workers’ comp policies.
21	Do substitutes sign lesson plan compliance forms	3.3 – Planning Time	p.8	No—subs follow plans provided by teachers or administration.
22	Are substitutes included in emergency drills	6.1 – Safety & Rights	p.10	Yes—subs must participate per school safety protocols.
23	Can substitutes request site preferences	2.4 – Assignment Protocols	p.6	Yes—requests may be honored when possible.
24	Do substitutes receive district-wide communication	3.2 – Calendar & Hours	p.7	Yes—via email, portal updates, or site messaging.
25	Are substitutes assigned lunch or recess duty	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Yes—duty assignments may be part of daily sub responsibilities.
26	Do substitutes access curriculum guides	2.5 – Instructional Materials	p.6	Yes—guides may be shared depending on the assignment.
27	Can substitutes contact families	4.1 – Family Communication	p.8	Only if assigned long-term and approved by site admin.
28	Do substitutes receive evaluation forms	5.3 – Performance Reviews	p.9	Long-term subs may receive informal feedback.
29	Are substitutes invited to teacher appreciation events	5.2 – Recognition Practices	p.9	Yes—at the discretion of the site and if actively engaged.

FAQ #	Question Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
30	Are substitutes required to track attendance?	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Yes—subs are expected to take and report attendance per site-based protocols.

📘 ISA FAQ Companion — Entries 31-36

FAQ #	Question Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
31	Are substitutes trained on district technology	2.6 – Access & Tools	p.6	Long-term subs may receive training or tech support, depending on assignment.
32	Do substitutes supervise dismissal	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Yes—subs may help with end-of-day procedures when directed by site admin.
33	Are substitutes required to submit written reflections	5.3 – Performance Reviews	p.9	No—typically required only of full-time educators.
34	Can substitutes store instructional materials on site	2.9 – Facilities Access	p.7	Yes—with admin approval, subs may store materials in designated areas.
35	Are substitutes expected to archive lesson plans	3.3 – Planning Time	p.8	Only long-term subs may be expected to archive plans, per site protocol.
36	What defines am extended substitute?	—	—	10+ days in the same assignment.

📘 ISA FAQ Companion — Entries 37–59

FAQ #	Question Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
37	What defines a long-term substitute	2.3 – Employment Terms	p.6	20+ consecutive days in the same assignment.
38	Are long-term subs eligible for benefits	2.4 – Employment Terms	p.6	Yes—may receive prorated benefits based on duration and role.
39	Can subs access professional development	3.1 – PD Opportunities	p.7	Yes, with approval and availability.
40	Are subs paid for attending PD sessions	3.2 – PD Compensation	p.7	Only when pre-approved and consistent with district pay policy.
41	Do subs receive classroom prep time	3.3 – Planning Time	p.8	.
42	Can subs request specific grade levels	2.5 – Assignment Terms	p.6	Yes—requests can be made but are not guaranteed.
43	Are subs evaluated annually	4.3 – Evaluation Procedures	p.17	Yes—for long-term substitutes; day-to-day subs typically excluded.
44	Can subs appeal evaluations	4.4 – Evaluation Procedures	p.17	Yes—through formal review channels.
45	Are subs eligible for mentorship programs	3.4 – Mentorship	p.8	Long-term subs may participate if invited and space permits.
46	Do subs receive district email accounts	2.6 – Access & Tools	p.6	Yes
47	Can subs join school committees	5.1 – Governance	p.9	Yes—if invited and approved by school administration.
48	Are subs covered under workplace protections	6.1 – Safety & Rights	p.10	Yes—substitutes are protected by district safety and anti-harassment policies.
49	Do subs have access to grievance procedures	6.2 – Grievance Rights	p.10	Yes—grievances may be filed under ISA policies.
50	Can subs participate in union votes	1.2 – Recognition	p.1	Only if they are ISA members in good standing.

FAQ #	Questio Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
51	Do substitutes receive pay during school closures	2.7 – Pay Policies	p.6	Only if scheduled and confirmed by district prior to closure.
52	Are substitutes eligible for sick leave	2.8 – Leave Provisions	p.6	Long-term subs may access limited sick leave benefits.
53	Can substitutes access district parking permits	2.9 – Facilities Access	p.7	Yes—long-term subs may request permits through school administration.
54	Are substitutes included in emergency drills	6.3 – Emergency Protocols	p.10	Yes—subs are expected to follow school-wide emergency procedures.
55	Do substitutes attend parent-teacher conferences	3.5 – Professional Expectations	p.8	Long-term subs may be invited if teaching during the scheduled period.
56	Are substitutes evaluated by building principals	4.3 – Evaluation Procedures	p.17	Yes—evaluations are usually conducted by site-based administrators.
57	Can substitutes be reassigned mid-day	2.5 – Assignment Terms	p.6	Yes—subs may be reassigned based on coverage needs.
58	Do substitutes receive prep for co-teaching roles	3.3 – Planning Time	p.8	Long-term subs may receive joint prep when co-teaching is assigned.
59	Are substitutes invited to school-wide PD days	3.1 – PD Opportunities	p.7	Yes—if scheduled during an active assignment.

📘 ISA FAQ Companion — Entries 60–70

FAQ #	Question Summary	Contract Section	Page #	Answer Summary
60	Do substitutes complete attendance records	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Yes—subs must maintain attendance when assigned.
61	Can substitutes receive classroom keys	2.6 – Access & Tools	p.6	Yes—may receive keys daily at check in.
62	Are substitutes covered by liability insurance	6.1 – Safety & Rights	p.10	Yes—district liability policies cover substitute teachers.
63	Can substitutes leave personal items on campus	2.9 – Facilities Access	p.7	Only in designated areas with prior approval; district not responsible for loss.
64	Do substitutes need to clock in or out	3.6 – Daily Responsibilities	p.9	Yes—follow site-based procedures
65	Are substitutes invited to staff meetings	5.1 – Governance	p.9	Long-term subs may attend if relevant to their assignment.
66	Can substitutes update lesson plans for absent teachers	3.3 – Planning Time

📘 ISA FAQ Companion — Entries 71–100

❓ FAQ #	🧾 Question Summary	📂 Contract Section	📄 Page #	✅ Answer Summary
71	Do appendices carry legal weight?	Section 16 – Appendices & Provisions	Page 20	Yes, once signed and referenced, appendices are binding components of the contract.
72	Can ISA propose new appendices?	Section 16 – Appendices & Provisions	Page 20	Yes, but only through mutual agreement with the district.
73	Are procedural templates included?	Section 16 – Appendices & Provisions	Page 21	Yes, templates such as leave forms and evaluation rubrics are included.
74	Can substitutes access these forms?	Section 16 – Appendices & Provisions	Page 21	Yes, via ISA representatives or the district’s HR department.
75	What legal and ethical considerations shape how student portfolios are shared or exhibited?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 22	Portfolios must follow copyright laws, district policies, and consent protocols. Students reflect on authorship, privacy, and audience access.
76	What is fair use and how do students navigate it in creative contexts?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 22	Fair use permits limited use of copyrighted content for education or transformation. Students cite sources and reflect on purpose and intent.
77	How can students identify and avoid cultural appropriation in their work?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 22	By researching origins, crediting cultures, and writing about meaning and respectful engagement.
78	How do students credit sources and collaborators in their portfolios?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 22	Using captions, process journals, and acknowledgments to highlight materials, influences, and support.
79	How does consent relate to student art, especially in portraiture or documentation?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 22	Consent must be obtained before depicting or sharing others. Forms or written reflections are included in portfolios.
80	What are the legal considerations around digital art and AI tools in student portfolios?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 23	Students disclose tool use, review licensing, and reflect on originality, ethics, and authorship.
81	How do students engage with copyright when sharing work online?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 23	By using watermarks, selecting licenses, and reflecting on visibility and protection of creative work.
82	How do school policies shape the legal boundaries of student work?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 23	Portfolios reflect compliance with district guidelines on exhibitions, platforms, and publication rights.
83	What is plagiarism in the context of visual art?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 23	Uncredited imitation of imagery, technique, or ideas. Students document process and cite inspiration.
84	How do students navigate archival ethics when using found objects or inherited imagery?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 23	By honoring origin, providing attribution, and reflecting on context and legacy in artist statements.
85	How do students advocate for their learning through visual art?	Section 17 – Legal Compliance	Page 23	Through work that expresses identity, critiques systems, and connects inquiry to action. Portfolios capture this agency.
86	Are substitutes eligible for union-sponsored scholarships?	Appendix A	Page 24	Yes, ISA offers limited scholarships for professional development or continuing education.
87	Can substitutes serve on district committees?	Appendix A	Page 24	Yes, if invited or appointed by ISA or administration.
88	Are substitutes included in school climate surveys?	Appendix A	Page 24	Yes, substitutes may be invited to participate in feedback initiatives.
89	Can substitutes submit feedback on school policies?	Appendix A	Page 24	Yes, through ISA or district channels.
90	Are substitutes eligible for recognition awards?	Appendix A	Page 24	Yes, some buildings offer recognition for outstanding substitute service.
91	Can substitutes access district email systems?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, with administrator approval and login credentials.
92	Are substitutes included in emergency drills?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, they are expected to participate and follow protocols.
93	Can substitutes request building-specific training?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, through the administrator or ISA rep.
94	Are substitutes eligible for mentoring programs?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, if available in the building or district.
95	Can substitutes submit lesson plans for review?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, especially in long-term roles or curriculum-aligned assignments.
96	Are substitutes invited to faculty meetings?	Appendix A	Page 25	Only if relevant to their assignment or by invitation.
97	Can substitutes access student support services?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, when needed to support classroom management or instruction.
98	Are substitutes included in school-wide initiatives?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, when appropriate and communicated by administration.
99	Can substitutes contribute to curriculum development?	Appendix A	Page 25	Yes, especially in long-term roles or collaborative teams.