FILE:  GBNA

Cf:  GBI

 

REDUCTION OF PERSONNEL

 

 

The Orleans Parish School Board delegates all reduction of personnel decisions to the Superintendent.  When circumstances necessitate a reduction in personnel greater than what can be accomplished through attrition, the Superintendent may institute a reduction of personnel pursuant to the provisions of School Board policy.  The determination of the need to implement a reduction of personnel action and all decisions affecting such action shall be made by the Superintendent.

 

Except as otherwise provided herein, any existing procedure for reconsidering or examining an employee termination, non-reappointment, or grievance shall not be considered in implementing a reduction of personnel action.  Likewise, no personnel action other than a reduction of personnel may be considered under this policy.

 

Employees on approved leaves of absence shall be treated in the same manner as other regularly employed personnel under this policy.

 

Seniority or tenure shall not be the primary criterion to be considered when instituting a reduction of personnel action.

 

TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

Reduction of teachers and administrators shall be based solely upon demand, performance, and effectiveness, as determined by the performance evaluation program as provided in La. Rev. Stat. Ann.  §§17:3881 through 17:3905.  Any reduction of teachers and administrators by the Superintendent shall be instituted by terminating the least effective teacher within each targeted subject area or area of certification first, and then proceeding by effectiveness rating until the reduction of personnel has been accomplished.

 

EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 

Reduction of school employees (those employees who are not teachers or whose employment does not require certification) who are not evaluated pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:3881 through 17:3905 shall be based upon the following criteria:

 

  1. Performance and effectiveness; and

  2. Certification or academic preparation, if applicable.

 

Performance and effectiveness shall be measured as follows:

 

  1. Results of the School Board-approved evaluation system for employees who are not evaluated pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:3881 through 17:3905;

  2. Documented evidence of higher performance in the affected job category;

  3. Satisfactory attendance; and

  4. Documented evidence of special skills, training, experience, and knowledge that enhances performance in the job category.

 

NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES

 

When a reduction in force is instituted, written notice of termination shall be given by the Superintendent or his/her designee by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the employee to be terminated.  Notice shall include a statement of the general conditions requiring a reduction of personnel.  The employee’s address, as it appears in the School Board’s personnel records, shall be deemed to the correct address.  It shall be the employee’s responsibility to ensure that the School Board has his/her current address on file.

 

REQUESTS FOR REVIEW OF TERMINATIONS

 

Within ten (10) days after receiving a notice of termination, an employee may request, in writing, a review of the action taken and shall receive notice of the results of the review in a timely manner, but not later than ten (10) days after the request to review is received.  The employee shall have the right to further pursue the review of reduction action through the School Board's adopted grievance procedures.

 

RECALL OR OTHER EMPLOYMENT

 

No recall list shall be compiled or maintained for employees affected by a reduction of personnel action.  However, affected employees may apply for other vacant positions, not affected by the reduction of personnel, for which they are qualified.

 

Any certificated administrator serving under an administrative contract whose position has been recommended to be abolished may be reassigned or reclassified in accordance with that administrator’s contract.

 

SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS

 

If any provision of this policy or the application thereof is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions of this policy which can be implemented without the invalid provisions, and to this end, the provisions of this policy are hereby declared severable.

 

Any and all provisions of this policy shall yield to existing state law when held to be in conflict with said state law.

 

 

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:81.4, 17:3881, 17:3882, 17:3883, 17:3884, 17:3901, 17:3902, 17:3903, 17:3904

 

Orleans Parish School Board