News about the non-renewals is hitting the media:
NBC 30 with video
The full BFT contract can be accessed at the top of the web page, but given recent circumstances, here is the pertinent language regarding layoffs.
ARTICLE 33
REDUCTION IN FORCE
33:1 The Board has the sole and exclusive prerogative to eliminate professional
staff positions, consistent with the provisions of State statutes and the Agreement.
33:2 There will be no layoffs during the term of this Agreement without prior
consultation with the BFT.
33:3 No tenure teacher (as defined in Section 10-151(b) of the Connecticut
General Statutes as amended) shall be laid off when a position exists which is either
vacant or occupied by a non-tenure teacher and for which the tenure teacher is certified.
33:4 It is understood that a layoff is a termination of employment subject to
administrative and/or judicial review in the manner set forth in the subsections of Section
10-151 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, and in no other manner. In the
case of judicial review under those statutory provisions, the parties agree that the
provisions of this Article can and should be admitted to the court.
33:5 Seniority shall be defined as the length of continuous teaching service in the
Bristol School System. In the event two or more teachers have identical lengths of
continuous teaching service, the following criteria shall be applied in the order listed:
a. previous regular teaching service in Bristol.
b. previous long-term substitute service in Bristol.
c. previous per-diem substitute service in Bristol.
d. date that letter of intent to hire was sent by the Board.
e. date that letter of job acceptance was received by the Board.
f. date that most recent application was stamped in at the Board’s
office.
g. date on most recent application.
33:6 Procedure
33:6.1 If layoffs are necessary because of elimination of position, the teacher(s) to
be laid off shall be determined by the following procedure.
33:6.2 The least senior teacher in the affected high school or middle school
subject area or elementary grade level will be displaced from that subject area or grade
level.
33:6.3 Such displaced teacher may elect, in lieu of being laid off, to displace in
turn the least senior teacher in the same school level (high school, middle school, or
elementary school) who occupies a position in the same certification area in which that
teacher has been teaching.
33:6.4 Such teacher who is displaced in turn may elect to finally displace the least
senior teacher in the school system who holds a position for which that teacher is
certified.
33:6.5 In each case, the displacing teacher must have more seniority than the
displaced teacher, or must proceed to the next step of the above process.
37
33:6.6 The elimination of other systemwide certified positions (i.e. special ed,
school psychologist, school social worker, art, etc.) shall be governed by the same
reduction in force principles and/or provisions cited in this Article.
33:7 Recall
33:7.1 The name of any teacher who has been laid off shall be placed upon a
reappointment list and remain on such list for a period of time equal to their length of
continuous employment in Bristol, not to exceed three (3) years, provided such teacher
does not refuse a reappointment. Teachers may, if agreed to by the Superintendent, refuse
a position once without jeopardizing their position on the reappointment list.
33:7.2 Any teacher on the reappointment list shall receive a written offer of
reappointment by certified mail to his last known address at least fifteen (15) days prior to
the date of re-employment. The teacher shall accept or reject the appointment, in writing,
within five (5) days. If he accepts the appointment, he shall receive a written contract at
least five (5) days prior to the effective date of re-appointment where possible.
33:7.3 No new teacher shall be hired to fill a position for which a teacher on the
reappointment list is certified. In cases where more than one teacher on the reappointment
list has exercised certification (i.e., has experience within the certification) for a particular
position to be filled, teachers shall be recalled by seniority. In cases where no teacher has
exercised certification for a particular position to be filled, teachers certified shall be
recalled by seniority.
33:7.4 No teacher who has been laid off shall be entitled to payment or accrual of
any compensation or fringe benefits, whether or not he remains on the reappointment list.
However, a teacher who is reappointed from the list shall be entitled to reinstatement of
any benefits earned or accrued at the time of layoff, and further accrual of salary
increments and fringe benefits shall pick up where they left off, except that credit for
contractual service as a teacher while on layoff shall be granted. No years of layoff will be
credited as years of service for compensation or retirement purposes. However, except as
provided in Article 33:3 and/or applicable law, any teacher who is laid off shall retain the
seniority held on the date of layoff.
33:7.5 A teacher on the recall list shall have the right to continue, at his option, in
the group plans for medical and life insurance at his own expense, subject to any
restrictions imposed by the carrier.
33:7.6 For purposes of seniority and layoffs:
a. A leave of absence does not interrupt years of continuous service,
but seniority is determined by cumulative times of actual active
teaching service.
38
b. Regarding fractional time, there is no difference between full-time
service and part-time service.
c. There is no difference between “Interim” contract and regular
contract; furthermore, no distinction shall be made between service
under the various types of teaching certification.
33:7.7 All transfers as provided for Article 32 (Vacancies and Transfers) shall take
place prior to any teacher being recalled to any vacant position.
Bristol Federation of Teachers 