QUOLKE’S CORNER #51
BUMPING & OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS
Since the announcement of the Transformation Plan, members of the Executive Board have been to several buildings talking to Building Chairs and staff members about the plan and answering as many questions as we are able to. While much of the plan will ultimately have to be negotiated, I want to cover a few common questions that have been asked repeatedly.
CAN I BE BUMPED FROM MY POSITION BY SOMEONE WITH MORE SENIORITY?
It seems that a number of members are afraid that the staff members that are at buildings that are closing can use their seniority to bump other staff members out of their current positions. That is NOT true. There is NO BUMPING in our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
HOW WILL THE TEACHERS AT THE CLOSED BUILDINGS BE REASSIGNED FOR NEXT YEAR?
Those teachers will become necessary transfers and be a part of the Necessary Transfer process as outlined in the CBA. The CTU and the District do have an interest in a Voluntary Transfer Process (like the one that was utilized last school year). This has not been agreed to yet, but if it is agreed upon this will provide all members the opportunity to interview for open positions that they are interested in and would give the members at closed buildings two ways to get to their position for next year.
WILL THE TEACHERS, PARAPROFESSIONALS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AT THE BUILDINGS THAT ARE CLOSING BE THE ONES THAT WILL BE LAID OFF?
No. If there are lay-offs, they are done by certification and seniority within that certification. The District determines what areas of certification/classification that have a need for a reduction in force. Lay-offs are then done in seniority order, by certification with the least senior members being laid-off first; including those members that are in the New and Innovative Schools. Our CBA applies to all members despite what some principals may be out there saying. Limited contract members are laid off first, followed by continuing contract members. Certificated personnel must have 30 working days notice of a lay-off. Paraprofessionals must be notified of a lay-off by May 15.
HOW MANY LAY-OFFS WILL THERE BE? AND IN WHAT AREAS WILL THERE BE LAY-OFFS?
The honest answer is we do not know. The District has not given the CTU any official notification of lay-offs. I do not believe that they are prepared to give a number or make an official determination of the need to reduce force at this time. The budget for next year, income, additional funding sources, retirements, etc. are not fully known yet.
In Union,
David