9-19. Educational Sign Language Interpreters I, II, and III
9-19.1. American Sign Language Interpreters Regular School Day.
[Was Article 21-17.] The regular day for sign language interpreters shall be seven hours and forty-five minutes with a continuous duty-free lunch period and no work responsibilities. Each interpreter’s school day shall include 45 minutes of continuous duty-free preparation time. Four days each week, the interpreter’s preparation time shall be self-directed. One day each week, this period shall be directed by the principal(s) or the interpreter supervisor for interpreter-related preparation or duties, e.g., IEP meetings and/or collaboration with the IEP team. The Board shall ensure that qualified substitutes are provided for ASL Interpreters who are absent.
9-19.2. Interpreter Certification.
All employees who provide interpreting services for deaf or hard-of-hearing students, parents, or employees must hold appropriate ISBE approval and abide by Illinois Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Commission state licensure laws.
9-19.3. Additional Work Hours.
In schools with students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs require American Sign Language educational sign language interpreters, educational sign language interpreters shall be compensated their hourly rate of pay for hours worked beyond the regular workday, provided such hours are pre-approved by their manager or principal and they perform sign language interpreting services.
9-19.4. Professional Development.
The BOARD shall provide access to professional development that is specific to sign language interpreters.
9-19.5. Work Assignments.
In schools with more than one deaf or hard-of-hearing student, the interpreting team shall meet with the principal or their designee at the beginning of the school year during Week 0 to collaborate regarding how to distribute classes and create the interpreting schedule.
9-19.6. Workspace.
The BOARD shall provide adequate preparation space for all educational sign language interpreters. The space shall include, at minimum, a desk, a chair, a computer, and access to working copiers, printers, and telephones.
9-19.7. Qualified Substitutes.
The BOARD shall create a pool of qualified appropriately certified substitutes for ASL educational sign language interpreters by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. In order to ensure qualified substitutes are available, the BOARD shall 1) create and post at least one citywide Cadre substitute interpreter position as stipulated in Article 9-19.8, 2) maintain a continuous job posting for day-to-day substitutes for sign language interpreters, 3) allow retiree educational sign language interpreters who have maintained certification credentials to return as day-to-day substitutes, and 4) allow schools to hire temporarily assigned interpreters full-time, or long-term substitutes when a full-time interpreter takes leave e.g. for short- or long-term disability, child-rearing, or parental leave.
9-19.8. Specification for Categories of Substitute Sign Language Interpreters.
9-19.8(a). Cadre Substitute Sign Language Interpreters.
Cadre substitute sign language interpreters will be employed on a school-year basis and will be assigned by the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program Manager to provide coverage at schools citywide when regular sign language interpreters are absent. Cadre substitute sign language interpreters shall be paid $29.50. A full Cadre substitute sign language interpreter shall have the option of purchasing, at their own expense, family plan hospitalization and major medical insurance coverage at the group rate during the period said Cadre substitute sign language interpreter is hired. A Cadre substitute sign language interpreter shall receive holiday pay provided they are working at the school he or she is present on the school day immediately before and after the holiday.
9-19.8(b). Day-to-Day Substitute Sign Language Interpreters.
Day-to-day substitute sign language interpreters shall be compensated at the pay rate in effect during the 2024-2025 school year ($26.26). This rate will be increased every year by the COLA each year of the Agreement.
9-19.8(c). Retiree Substitute Sign Language Interpreters.
The BOARD shall pay Retired Substitute Sign Language Interpreters the rate paid to day-to-day substitute sign language interpreters. Such retired interpreters shall not be eligible for any other benefits provided to bargaining unit employees under this Agreement. The BOARD agrees that the employment and assignment of retired interpreters shall not result in the displacement of any appointed or assigned interpreter.