A colleague went on a PD, she arranged it herself and went in her own time and paid her own expenses. School (as far as I am aware did not know she was attending). At the PD she was given a free book, however, she needed a different grade book and this was sent addressed to her at school. School Admin opened her mail and said the book belonged to the school (it was then sent to the library and catalogued). According to Admin, she went on PD for work purposes and any materials gained from any PD belong to the school. She sees things differently and believes the book is hers (she doesn't want to have to buy a copy). So who owns the book? The school or the teacher?
If the school paid in any way for the PD such as sub costs, etc. then they could claim it. If they did not in any way contribute to it and it was not during school time then it is hers.
If i pay for the professional development, any materials given out belong to me. I'd say the book is hers.
This. We get to keep any materials from professional developments we attend. If I were her, I would check it out from the library and never return it.
Our school's policy is that they open any packages. The only exception to this is book orders. If you have something personal coming, we just let them know & they usually won't open it. The reasoning behind it is that they are looking for packing slips so that they know that the PO can be paid. Most of the things we order at the beginning of the year come addressed to us, but there is 1 person who checks everything in. We don't have to worry about having a missing item, that's the job of the person checking things in.
The book belongs to your colleague. Frankly, I'm rather disgusted that administration would argue this whatsoever.
I find this astonishing. Is there someone above those with whom she/he dealt to right this wrong? Otherwise, it is tough to make it right. Perhaps she could contact the PD people and explain the situation. Maybe they'd be gracious enough to send another one??? Or put pressure on the office???
I think that the book is hers. Even so, if I were in her position I might not raise much of a stink with admin if they're petty enough to pull a stunt like this. It's probably not worth it and might get her on their radar in a bad way. I like the suggestion of contacting the PD people and seeing if they'd be willing to send a second book based on the circumstances. In the future, she should have all her personal items mailed to her home. That would let her avoid other situations like this. As for the school opening her mail, I think that they're allowed to do that. If it's sent to the school's address, it's the school's mail (I think).
I know some companies require a school address, especially for specialty-priced or free products. I've experienced this a few times...though thankfully my administrators aren't crazy. I know Raisin Bran is currently offering consumers $5 worth of Scholastic books with the purchase of two boxes containing codes for online inside. However, the books parents order (or teacher, in my case) must be shipped to the school.
The book is absolutely hers since she paid for the PD out of her own pocket and went on her own time. I would hand in the receipt from the PD request the school to reimburse me for the PD session if they would like to keep the book ... but that is just me,
This is the part that I find odd. The only time the school ever opens our stuff is when they have multiple orders in one shipment. Then they'll open it and divide out the stuff. Otherwise, it's never opened. If she paid for everything herself, the book it hers. If the school is going to insist on opening mail, I'd stop having things sent to school.
wow, I also am shocked that they opened her mail. Our school does not open anything that comes in with our name on it. Even with that, I would probably walk in and take the book from the library, because it belongs to her. They did not pay anything for it, they stole it from her.
Well, they did catalogue it. :/ So, it is recorded that it is "the school's" now. I would bring my receipt, show where I bought a book and get my book back.
Wow. How dare the school try to claim her book? They'd be hard press to keep my book. Book? What book? I'd take that book and duck tape my receipt over any school stamp, bar code or magnet censor...
I was going to say the same thing-sneak it out and take it home-I wouldn't feel guilty about that at all. I've gotten lots of packages through Donorschoose-if they are addressed to me our office doesn't open them-they go directly to me.
I wouldn't sneak anything. I would go to the library, get the book, bring it to my classroom, and use it! It is for her specific grade level, and it truly belongs to her. I would not make a big deal about it. But I would bring it in my room and use it for the duration of my time at that school. End of problem. Surely they can't keep track of every single book on the shelves! And if they do, I would just tell them the book is actually mine and I am keeping it in my room so I can use it as it is meant to be used.
As a school librarian, I'm aware of the school's policies regarding lost books. At my school, lost teacher books are automatically forgiven. Personally, I would either check it out and "lose" it, or just grab it off the shelf sometime and the librarian will assume it's lost when she can't find it.
