State-mandated courses must be taught by properly certified teachers. That's the message NYSUT sent to administrators in the Southern Tier following the successful resolution of an appeal argued by union lawyers.

State Education Commissioner Richard Mills directed the Spencer-Van Etten district to stop assigning five existing teachers to collaboratively cover curriculum once taught by a certified home and career skills teacher who was dismissed due to budget cuts.

"This case is a win because it makes it clear that educators teaching a course must be certified in the appropriate subject area," said NYSUT attorney Kevin Harren, who represented the teacher.

The district's action had made an already tough year harder, said Jack Swingle, president of the Spencer-Van Etten Teachers Association.

Stretched thin

"First, administration cut the job of one of our colleagues, and then they really stretched these five teachers thin," said Swingle, explaining that the teachers were handed extra preparation and teaching responsibilities, but no additional time to coordinate coursework.

Each educator covered a module of the home and career skills curriculum. District leaders insisted the modules fell within the scope of the teachers' certifications, making the redistributions appropriate.

For example, a certified art teacher led a home and fashion design course and a certified social studies teacher taught a class in economics and the world of work.

Mills ruled in January that while team-teaching is allowed in home and career skills classes, at least one teacher must be certified in home economics or family and consumer sciences.