FWPS/FWEA Negotiated Bargaining Agreement Collective Bargaining 101 Transfer Eligibility

Sec 4.2 : Transfer - A "transfer" will mean a relocation of an individual from one school to another. Relocation of a total program to another school will not constitute a transfer. Voluntary Transfer - A "voluntary transfer" will mean all transfers to an open position for which a staff member has applied. The transferring staff member’s current position is not vacant until he/she accepts an offer to the new position. Terms and Definitions

Involuntary Transfer - An "involuntary transfer" will mean all other transfers…AKA You didn’t sign up for it. When a staff member is involuntarily transferred, management will provide an explanation of the reasons prior to the change ONLY IF REQUESTED by the staff member. Reassignment - A "reassignment" will mean a change in a staff member’s assignment. *Reassignment is not considered a transfer. Vacancy - A "vacancy" exists whenever the District intends to place other than a temporarily contracted person in an unfilled position.

Retirement of a staff member submitted and accepted by the Board. Resignation by an individual submitted to and accepted by the Board. Leave of absence (LOA) request approved by the Board. Termination or non-renewal of the staff member by the Superintendent. Growth (projected and actual) resulting in the authorization of a new position through the budget process. AKA…we need more bodies! Transfer of a staff member through the transfer process. How Is a Vacancy Created?

– Provisional 1 staff provided they have a positive evaluation on file in Human Resources at the completion of their first year. – Staff on limited contracts provided they have a positive evaluation on file in Human Resources. – Substitutes who have 3 years of current successful service in the district may apply as internal candidates. Eligible Eligible For Transfer

– Staff on probation or staff on a plan of improvement. – Staff currently assigned to a position for which they are not endorsed are not eligible to transfer to another non-endorsed position. Not Eligible Not Eligible For Transfer

Program Driven Enrollment Driven – When two (2) or more staff members are subject to such an involuntary transfer, the staff member with the least length of service will be involuntarily transferred first. Length of service will be based upon total length of service in Washington certificated school positions (other state experience wouldn’t count) as documented with Human Resources. enrollment changes Continuing contract: Once having been involuntarily transferred (during the school year) due to enrollment changes, a staff member is *exempt from another such involuntary transfer for the next two (2) school years. *Provisional employees: If the District involuntarily transfers a provisional staff member rather than laying them off during a time of “reductions in force”, that provisional teacher is not eligible for the two year transfer exemption. Reasons For Involuntary Transfers

*It’s important to remember that assignment and reassignment authority rests with the principal/administrator/ESC admin. Note: Reassignment is not considered a transfer Who Makes The Decision?

Please contact your building’s Association Representative, your site’s FWEA Executive Board Liaison or FWPS Human Resources if you have questions on the content of this presentation. You can also browse the FWEA member web site for other helpful information! Have questions?