Frequently Asked Questions:Transfer, Surplus, and Reduction In Force(CCEA Express, May 2010 issue)
Questions continue to come in about the differences in transfer, surplus, and reduction in force. This is a follow-up to last month’s column to answer frequently asked questions.
Q. What is the difference between transfer and surplus?
A. Voluntary Transfer occurs during the month of April. It allows teachers who have been in their current location for at least two years the opportunity to transfer to another open position within the school district. During this period, teachers can interview at different schools to obtain a different position for which they are licensed. The school district makes projections on student enrollment for the ensuing school year and determines how many teachers will be needed at each school. Based on these numbers, it is determined whether there will be a surplus. Surplus is involuntary. Teachers who have been identified as being surplused can interview for another position. However, if they do not secure a transfer by the end of May, they will attend the surplus meeting and select a position.
Q. Who may be surplused in elementary schools?
A. The least senior teacher in the school, using district-wide seniority, will be surplused unless another teacher volunteers. If there is more than one volunteer then the volunteer with the most seniority would be designated as being surplused.
Q. Who may be surplused in secondary schools?
A. Surplus in secondary schools is determined by department. The least senior teacher in the department, again using district-wide seniority, would be surplused unless another teacher volunteers. The same rule as at the elementary level applies if more than one teacher volunteers.
Q. When does the surplus meeting occur?
A. By the beginning of May, schools will be notified whether there is still a need to surplus teachers. Teachers who are still designated as being surplused will meet to select a position for the following school year. This year, the surplus meeting will occur on May 12, May 13, and May 14. CCSD Human Resources will determine which meeting date you must attend.
Q. What is the difference between surplus and reduction in force?
A. Teachers that are surplused are being involuntarily transferred because there will be more teachers than positions at their school at the beginning of the next school year. The surplused teachers will attend a surplus meeting where they will select a position based on district-wide seniority number and license. A teacher must choose a position for which he/she is licensed. Just because you have been surplused doesn’t mean that you will be reduced-in-force. Surplus and reduction in force are not the same.
Q. Will a reduction in force occur?
A. After surplus, if there are more teachers than positions, the school district will determine whether a reduction in force is necessary and in what areas. At that point, district-wide seniority takes effect based on areas that are affected. For example, it will be very unlikely that any special education teachers will be reduced-in-force, even if they were just hired this year because there are more positions than there are teachers who are licensed in special education. It is the school district who determines which areas will be affected. Also, as more teachers retire/resign, and positions become available, teachers who have been reduced-in-force will return based on seniority.
Q. How do I know my seniority number?
A. Seniority numbers are available on Interact: Messages for Teachers, February 9, 2010.
Questions continue to come in about the differences in transfer, surplus, and reduction in force. This is a follow-up to last month’s column to answer frequently asked questions.
Q. What is the difference between transfer and surplus?
A. Voluntary Transfer occurs during the month of April. It allows teachers who have been in their current location for at least two years the opportunity to transfer to another open position within the school district. During this period, teachers can interview at different schools to obtain a different position for which they are licensed. The school district makes projections on student enrollment for the ensuing school year and determines how many teachers will be needed at each school. Based on these numbers, it is determined whether there will be a surplus. Surplus is involuntary. Teachers who have been identified as being surplused can interview for another position. However, if they do not secure a transfer by the end of May, they will attend the surplus meeting and select a position.
Q. Who may be surplused in elementary schools?
A. The least senior teacher in the school, using district-wide seniority, will be surplused unless another teacher volunteers. If there is more than one volunteer then the volunteer with the most seniority would be designated as being surplused.
Q. Who may be surplused in secondary schools?
A. Surplus in secondary schools is determined by department. The least senior teacher in the department, again using district-wide seniority, would be surplused unless another teacher volunteers. The same rule as at the elementary level applies if more than one teacher volunteers.
Q. When does the surplus meeting occur?
A. By the beginning of May, schools will be notified whether there is still a need to surplus teachers. Teachers who are still designated as being surplused will meet to select a position for the following school year. This year, the surplus meeting will occur on May 12, May 13, and May 14. CCSD Human Resources will determine which meeting date you must attend.
Q. What is the difference between surplus and reduction in force?
A. Teachers that are surplused are being involuntarily transferred because there will be more teachers than positions at their school at the beginning of the next school year. The surplused teachers will attend a surplus meeting where they will select a position based on district-wide seniority number and license. A teacher must choose a position for which he/she is licensed. Just because you have been surplused doesn’t mean that you will be reduced-in-force. Surplus and reduction in force are not the same.
Q. Will a reduction in force occur?
A. After surplus, if there are more teachers than positions, the school district will determine whether a reduction in force is necessary and in what areas. At that point, district-wide seniority takes effect based on areas that are affected. For example, it will be very unlikely that any special education teachers will be reduced-in-force, even if they were just hired this year because there are more positions than there are teachers who are licensed in special education. It is the school district who determines which areas will be affected. Also, as more teachers retire/resign, and positions become available, teachers who have been reduced-in-force will return based on seniority.
Q. How do I know my seniority number?
A. Seniority numbers are available on Interact: Messages for Teachers, February 9, 2010.