File:  GCQA - Instructional Staff Reduction in Force

From time to time it becomes appropriate to reduce one or more programs in the District.  Such reductions may result in a loss of professional staff positions.  Circumstances leading to a reduction include, but are not necessarily limited to:

1.    Changes or reduction in student enrollment.

2.    Changes or reduction in the program needs in one or more program areas.

3.    Building closures.

4.    Shortage of revenues or other such circumstances.

In order to provide an orderly process and to ensure the appropriate involvement of community and staff in such decisions, the following steps and guidelines are adopted.

Initiation of reduction

When circumstances come to the attention of the administration or Board that may result in the reduction of one or more programs or positions for any of the above reasons, the Board and the administration shall attempt to harmonize the needs of the community, the students and the staff as appropriate to the circumstances utilizing procedures approved by the Board.  The administration and/or the Board shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the professional staff and the community are aware of the circumstances that may lead to a reduction in staff when they are reasonably known or understood.

The District shall provide an appropriate process to provide notice of the circumstances surrounding the possible change in the District and shall solicit input and recommendations.  This process shall be designed to ensure that the District continues to provide the highest quality educational services in the most efficient and effective manner within available resources.  The procedure shall provide all significant constituencies in the District, including the Summit County Education Association (Association), the administrators, the community, the support staff and the Board an opportunity to be involved.  If the program changes are due to a reduction of funding, efforts shall be made to identify alternate sources of funding.

Staff notification

Through the process identified, the Board shall determine the program mix appropriate to the circumstances facing the District.  If it reasonably appears that reductions in professional staff may be necessary to meet target program parameters, the Association shall be informed of that possibility.  The Board shall identify the areas possibly requiring reduction and the anticipated extent of reduction in each area.  These determinations may be preliminary and subject to alteration by the Board.  For purposes of this policy, "area" may mean a particular subject matter, program, educational level or service type as appropriate to the circumstances.  Efforts shall be made to identify the endorsement areas recognized under law which will be impacted by the contemplated reduction.

Staff reductions

According to law, staff reductions are permitted at any time.  The Board believes that it is preferable to effect reductions in conjunction with a new school year, or a semester break.  Accordingly, efforts shall be made to avoid mid-term reductions in force.  However, the Board may, at its discretion, commence a reduction in force without regard to this timeline if it determines it is in the best interest of the District to do so.  Whenever practicable, the following timeline shall be followed:

1.    March 1 - notification to staff and community about a possible staff reduction and a general statement of the reasons supporting one.

2.    April 20 - notification to the individual teachers of intended contract cancellations.

3.    May 1 - filing a request for hearing.

4.    May 15 - notify individual teachers of cancellation of their contracts.

Voluntary staff reductions

As a first option for reducing staff, the District shall explore the possibility of voluntary personnel reductions before considering involuntary termination of employees.  Voluntary reductions may include retirement, resignation, and leaves of absence without pay or early retirement if provided by Board policy.  Leaves of absence granted under these conditions may be for more than one year.

Involuntary staff reductions

If voluntary reductions do not reduce staffing to desired levels within an area, involuntary reductions shall be initiated.  The administration, Board and the Association shall discuss contemplated involuntary reductions prior to making final recommendations.  The following sequence and criteria shall be applied in making involuntary reductions:

1.    Teachers on one-year non-renewable contracts or letters of authorization shall be terminated first.

2.    Probationary employees serving within the impacted areas shall be terminated next.  Decisions among probationary teachers shall be made in consideration of the same factors set forth below for non-probationary teachers.

3.    Non-probationary teachers shall be terminated according to the following non-prioritized factors:

a.  Student needs

b.  Professional experience

c.  Quality of performance

d.  Length of service to the District

e.  Educational preparation

4.    Employees terminated because of a reduction in force may be considered for other vacant positions in the District or may replace other employees when they have the necessary qualifications.  The administration shall make recommendations regarding the placement of employees in accordance with Board policy regarding assignments and transfers.

When referring to working conditions, salary or benefits, the negotiated contract, which is currently in effect will prevail.  If an approved contract is not in place, these attached policies, regulations and exhibits will take its place.

Adopted February 23, 1993

Revised: January 8, 2003

LEGAL REFS.:  C.R.S. 22-63-202 (3)

CROSS REFS.:  GBDA, Board-Staff Meet and Confer Process

GCC, Professional Staff Leaves and Absences, and sub codes

GCKA, Instructional Staff Assignments and Transfers

GCQEA, Voluntary Early Retirement of Professional Staff Member

Current Professional Contract