Common use of REDUCTION IN FORCE AND SENIORITY Clause in Contracts

REDUCTION IN FORCE AND SENIORITY. 4.01 A reduction in force shall be defined as the abolishment or reduction of a bargaining unit position and a corresponding suspension of contract, in whole or in part. Prior to any formal action to authorize a reduction in force by suspension of contracts, the Board shall give a minimum of twenty (20) school days' advance notice in writing to the Association President. Such notice shall include the reason(s) for the reduction, the number of positions affected, and their location by building and department or grade level. The number and type of bargaining unit positions required to implement the District's educational program will be determined annually by the Superintendent and reviewed by the Board of Education. Reasons for reduction in force by suspension of teaching contracts (layoffs), in whole or in part, shall not be limited by the provisions of O.R.C. 3319.17. A. Board action to suspend contracts for reduction in force under this Article shall only occur during the month of May for reductions to be effective at the start of the succeeding school year, except for reductions occasioned by a teacher's return from a leave of absence. B. Prior to Board action suspending contracts, all internal assignments, reassignments, and / or transfers will be finalized to the extent possible and any affected or potentially affected bargaining unit members will be provided notice and a list will be provided to the Association President. C. The number of persons affected by a reduction in force will be kept to a minimum or avoided by not employing replacements insofar as practical for employees who retire or resign or whose limited contracts are not renewed. To achieve educational aims, however, it may be necessary to hire some replacements for some positions if other employees in the system do not possess the certification/licensure, qualifications and experience for the position and the position is one that needs to be filled. Attrition, moreover, may not be sufficient to accomplish a reduction in force in full.