Human Resources January 14, 2015

Grade Level Reconfiguration is a two Step Process Step 1 Grade Level Reconfiguration Transfers Step 2 Regular Staffing Process at All Schools The CBVRSB Local NSTU Collective Agreement explains how the movement of Grade 6 and 9 students to other buildings will result in the movement of teachers before regular staffing occurs. This movement is because of grade level of reconfiguration. In order for regular staffing to take place, reconfiguration transfers must happen first. The regular staffing process will continue to be done on the basis of enrollment.

Who is transferred in Step 1? (vi) When a partial school closure or grade reconfiguration occurs: a. Teachers shall be transferred out of their school according to their position on the seniority list. Subject to 11.06, the teacher to be transferred shall be the one with the least seniority in the school according to the system seniority list. The least senior teacher in the sending school will become a reconfiguration transferred teacher (RTT) and be moved to the receiving school for the purpose of staffing for the school year.

What if I want to move? Notwithstanding (vi) (a) a teacher with greater seniority may request to be transferred out of their school provided this request prevents a teacher in (vi) (a) or (e) from being transferred. In some cases, more senior teachers may want to move and can request (in writing) through the principal to become the reconfiguration transferred teacher (RTT).

Program Protection Notwithstanding Article (vi) (a), the Board may determine that a program taught by the teacher with the least seniority is essential to that school’s overall program. An example of program protection would be if the least senior teacher teaches Family Studies and no other teacher in the building is qualified to teach Family Studies, then that teacher would remain and the next senior teacher would go. *This is different from the usual forced transfer process as described in

Program Protection d. The school Principal in consultation with Human Resources shall endeavor to fill the declared essential program(s) within the existing staff of the school. If a staff member is qualified to teach the program, they must be assigned to the program, even if it may not be their desire to do so. This must be discussed with Human Resources.

Program Protection e. If in the judgement of the Board, the quality of the declared essential program(s) cannot be maintained through a rearrangement of staff in the school, then the next junior teacher in the school shall be transferred. It is very important in the area of program protection that discussions be held with Human Resources to ensure the quality of the programs can be maintained.

Step 2 Possible Staff Reduction (vii) In the event of a partial school closure or grade reconfiguration where staff reduction becomes necessary in the receiving school, teachers will be forced in accordance with Article 11. Once reconfiguration transferred teachers are placed in the receiving school, that becomes the school to which they are attached for the purposes of staffing for The sort will happen at the receiving school.

Working through the process… (viii) In the event of a school consolidation, full school closure, partial school closure/grade reconfiguration, the Regional Board Teacher Transfer Committee as per Article 11.03, shall be convened to facilitate the transition of teachers to their new position. Ongoing consultations will take place as questions arise.

What if I am an Principal or Vice Principal and least senior? For the purposes of Grade level reconfiguration, Article would apply. The staff member other than Principal or Vice- Principal with the least seniority in the school (according to system seniority) becomes the Reconfiguration Transferred Teacher.

Key Components of the Process Seniority List checked for accuracy. There will be a two week window to report possible errors. Principal is responsible to ensure that all NSTU staff connected to the site have reviewed this.

Schools will be notified of the number of RTTs and to where they will be transferred. The number of RTTs transferred out will be based on the number of Grade 6 or 9 Classes for the school year. In cases where there are two receiving schools (French Immersion), HR will notify the number of individuals to be transferred to each school. Teachers will choose a school on the basis of seniority. There may be cases where the number of RTTs to be transferred is not clearly apparent. We are currently discussing guidelines to address these situations. HR will notify Principals regarding the number of RTTs moving in these situations. Examples, a combined 5/6 class or a Grade 9 class of 10.

Least senior teachers will be transferred unless a more senior staff member requests to transfer. The request to transfer must be in writing to the Principal and forwarded to Human Resources. All RTTs will complete a form indicating sending school, receiving school, qualifications, and seniority. This form will be submitted to Human Resources. Human Resources, in consultation with the receiving school, will update the new school seniority list which combines both current staff and RTTs.

Regular Staffing Enrollment will proceed as it has it the past. Next School Indicators in Powerschool is paramount in this process. Principals will be given their classroom staffing complement. If reductions occur, staff will be forced from each school according to the Seniority List that includes the staff from both the List and the RTTs. Human Resources will provide Principals with the information from the RTTs regarding qualifications.

Teaching Assignments Principals will review RTT qualifications. Teachers must be assigned on the basis of qualifications. A new qualifications document that is consistent with the new Grade Level Configurations will be provided. Teaching Assignments and staff qualifications must be submitted to Programs/Human Resources. Both Internal Teaching Assignments as well as external transfers will be approved by Human Resources. Teachers may be forced at this stage as a result of Program Protection. In this case, Article would apply.