Know Your Contract
Reducing Staff at End of Year
The District is instructing some buildings to reduce staff at the end of this school year. How should decisions at the building level be made?
ARTICLE 14 – Teaching Assignments
Article 14 - 5 If a change in assignment becomes necessary, the principal will engage teachers(s) who might be affected. The process will take into account the program needs of the building, and will consider those who have volunteered for the assignment. a consensus decision is preferred; however, it the absence of such decision, the principal has the responsibility to decide based on the following considerations.
1. The teacher's endorsement areas(s);
2. The teacher's certification;
3. The teacher's experience, including length of service in
the District and the most recent teaching experience;
4. The teacher's educational preparation and training; and,
5. Whether such change in assignment is educationally
sound.
This means that if someone is to be moved out of the building the building must first try to accomplish this by attrition and then use volunteers. An attempt must be made to make this decision by consensus of the faculty and administration. If consensus fails, the principal will make the decision. In general, when making a decision as to who is to leave, WEA expects that seniority should be used unless there is substantial evidence that a less senior person has significantly better qualifications than the more senior. Decisions not made by consensus or seniority are subject to the grievance process.
A teacher who is displace may also take advantage of the following provision.
Article 14 - 5 - 1 If a change in assignment initiated by the District results in the need for retraining or additional training, the District will pay tuition costs for the teacher to avail himself/herself of the training, which is approved by the District.
ARTICLE 9 - Reduction in Force
Article 9-3 Normal attrition, volunteers, and probationary staff shall be considered prior to any staff reductions, after which staff reductions shall be based on job performance and length of service with the District.
A decision to reduce a more senior person requires that there be substantial evidence. "Job Performance" is limited to official evaluations. If the district has not evaluated someone, they can not make claims about their performance.
As with many other rights you have under the contract, the district is not obligated to inform you of your rights. It is up to you to Know Your Contract.
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and is not intended for distribution to the general public.
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This page was last updated on 11/13/2008
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