20-1 Reduction in force shall be defined as the cancellation of an employment contract as a result of a necessary reduction in the work force due to decreased student enrollment, shortage of revenue or as otherwise provided in Colorado Revised Statutes. Such reductions shall be done in compliance with federal and state statutes, any existing court orders upon the District, and in a manner that will maintain the best educational program for the District.
20-1-1 If the District anticipates a reduction in staff, the Executive Director of Human Resources, prior to formal action, shall consult with the Association and provide information relative to the number, kind and reason for the anticipated staff reduction.
20-1-2 Normal attrition shall precede any reduction in force of regularly assigned teachers.
20-1-3 Required staff reductions should be done by endorsement area in reverse order of being hired as a teacher.
20-1-3-1 If hiring dates are identical, the tie shall be eliminated using the following criteria in descending order:
- The District contract experience in the subject area of program to be reduced; and,
- Highest degree held.
20-1-4 Upon final decision that a reduction of force will occur, the District shall provide the Association with data relative to the status of each bargaining unit employee whose job will be reduced. Such data shall include the name, certification and endorsement information, and hiring date.
20-1-5 Whenever possible, reductions in force will be limited to the end of the semester or school year. Affected teachers shall receive thirty (30) days written notice.
20-1-6 Upon the written request of the teacher identified for job reduction, the administration shall investigate all possible assignments for which the teacher is eligible. If the hiring date, certification and endorsement are in accord, the teacher shall be reassigned to another position for which qualified.
20-1-7 All staff members subject to cancellation of employment contracts shall not lose their prorated fringe benefits or salary afforded them under this Agreement. Neither shall other individual or supplemental employment opportunities or contracts be denied or negated.
20-2 No new staff members shall be employed by the District so long as there remain employees of the District whose contracts have been canceled unless those employees do not have proper certification, endorsement and qualifications to fill the vacancies which may occur. Such priority consideration will be for a period of three (3) years following the reduction.
20-2-1 Teachers will be hired in reverse order of reduction provided the teacher is certified and endorsed for the vacancy.
20-2-2 The District will send a registered or certified letter to the teacher's last known permanent address. It shall be the teacher's responsibility to notify the District of any change in the permanent address.
20-2-3 Teachers must accept the assignment within ten (10) days of the postmark date of the recall notice or the position will be offered to the next certified and endorsed teacher. The liability of the District to recall employees whose employment contracts have been canceled shall terminate if the employee does not accept re-employment.
20-2-4 When the former employee is re-employed, all accrued benefits at the time of the non-renewal shall be restored, including all eligible credit on the salary schedule.
20-3 Rights of Probationary Teachers in the event of a Reduction in Force.
Should the District be forced to non-renew any probationary teacher in the event of a reduction in force, they will have the right to be considered for interviews for any previously posted and unfilled positions, and will be given preference over similarly qualified teachers without District teaching experience. Probationary teachers will have preference for a period of fifteen (15) months following the non-renewal of their contracts. In order to be notified of any such available positions, the probationary teacher whose teaching contract was non-renewed is required to notify the personnel office on a monthly basis of their availability for such interviews.
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