15. LAYOFF AND REEMPLOYMENT

15.1 LAYOFF AND REEMPLOYMENT

15.1.1 When programs are discontinued or cut back, the seniority, of teachers in such programs shall be the governing factor in determining which teachers are laid off. When district-wide vacancies are sufficient to absorb the unit reductions, the unit loss procedures (Section 11.4.7) shall prevail. The following procedure will be used:

A. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents shall determine the area, subject or programs that will lose staff positions for the coming year. Staff shall be laid off in order of least continuous employment in the county within the area of certification from which he/she is being displaced (Specific subject in Industrial Education).

B. The Division of Human Resources will determine how many staff positions in the area, subject or program to lose units are planning to retire, resign or go on leave for the coming year. That number shall reduce the amount of staff members to be laid off the coming year.

C. A teacher to be laid off, who is certified in another area or subject in the bargaining unit, shall have the right to a vacant position in such area or subject.

D. A teacher who has been laid off shall have the option, based on seniority, to select a vacancy in an area for which he/she is not certified provided such laid off teacher signs an agreement to earn six semester hours per year in order to be certified in the new subject area to begin in the second year of the assignment. This applies to bachelor's degree or higher only.

E. Laid-off teachers shall have first option for accepting reemployment on a seniority basis, as vacancies for which they are certified open within the bargaining unit until a period of two years has lapsed. No new teachers shall be employed during the two-year period until all teachers in subject areas laid off from such assignments have been offered a position.

15.1.2 Upon reemployment, all rights related to salary, fringe benefits, and seniority shall be fully restored.

15.1.3 Laid-off teachers may pay the total premium for group life and hospitalization insurance for a period not to exceed two years.