The Board, for any reason, may determine that it is necessary to reduce the number of employees.
When one or more positions are to be eliminated, the first effort in reductions shall be to utilize normal attrition factors to avoid the termination process. Should positions still need to be eliminated, employees in the job classification who are on probationary status shall then be laid off. Should positions still need to be eliminated, the reduction shall be accomplished according to District seniority.
The only exception to this standard shall be for exceptional qualifications that meet critical needs of the District. The Board shall have the burden of proof for any deviation from the seniority standard.
Bumping Procedure. An affected employee may accept lay-off or may choose to bump a less senior bargaining unit employee in the affected job classification. The less senior employee shall then have the same bumping rights as the employee who held the position being eliminated. This procedure shall continue, in that order, until the least senior employee in the affected job classification has been given the opportunity to bump or is laid off.
Reduction categories shall be designated as follows:
a. Food Services
b. Custodial Services
c. Secretarial Services
d. Associates Services
e. Mechanics Services
f. Bus Driver Services
g. Bus Monitor Services
Employee who has been laid-off pursuant to this provision shall have recall rights within his/her respective job classification for a period of two (2) years. Employees who have been laid-off due to a reduction in staff shall be recalled to available positions in their job classification in the inverse order of such lay-offs. Laid-off employees shall also be given notice of all bargaining unit vacancies, may apply for any vacancy, and shall be given preference in hiring if their qualifications are equal to the other applicants. Employees having been laid-off through a staff reduction shall notify the Superintendent, or designee, of their availability for recall, and must keep their addresses and telephone numbers known to the Board. Any change of address must be in writing. Recalled employees must report for work within fourteen (14) days after notice has been given by certified mail to the employee’s last known address. If a recalled employee does not report as required in this section, the employee shall suffer loss of seniority and the employment relationship may be broken and terminated.
Employees on the recall list shall preserve their seniority for the determination of benefits under this contract.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 20.7, .24 (2013).
Cross Reference: 407.5 Licensed Employee Reduction in Force
413.3 Classified Employee Suspension
413.4 Classified Employee Dismissal
703 Budget
Approved: September 17, 2018
Reviewed:
Revised: