Sioux Valley School District - Home of the Cossacks

Staff Reduction

Staff reduction occurs when the Board eliminates all or part of an existing position held by anyone to whom continuing contract rights apply. In the event the Board determines that a staff reduction is necessary, the following guidelines will be considered:

1.  An effort will be made to effect the reduction through normal attrition. The Education Association will be notified and group recommendations considered if received within 14 days of issuance of the notice.

2. Positions held by persons with less than full certification for their current teaching assignment will be open to a properly certified and experienced continuing contract teacher who has been notified that his or her position has been eliminated and has requested to be considered.

3. If a position of a continuing contract teacher is eliminated due to staff reduction, the Board will determine which continuing contract teacher or teachers are to be released, considering the following criteria, as applicable. The criteria are not in rank order of importance:

   1. Student and curriculum needs;

   2. Prior evaluations;

   3. Competency;

   4.  Qualifications;

   5. Certification;

   6. Experience in the area to be taught;

   7. Educational background;

   8. State and federal mandates;

   9. Administrative recommendation.

The continuing contract teacher who has been notified that his or her position has been eliminated shall notify the Board of any positions for which the teacher wishes to be considered and can establish required qualifications.

The Board will follow the provisions of state law in making staff reductions involving professional staff members on continuing contract status.

Recall

For the purpose of this policy, the effective date of a lay-off by reduction in force shall be June 30. The teacher subject to reduction in force termination shall provide a list of positions for which the teacher wishes to be considered and is qualified to fill. If, during the first fiscal year subsequent to the lay-off, a vacancy occurs in the grade, subject area, and activity for which a laid-off teacher, wishes to be considered, an offer of re-employment shall be extended to the teacher, subject to interview and updated background check. When more than one staff member has the same recall date for the open position, the Board may consider, among other things, the matters identified in paragraph three of this policy.

Recall privileges cease when a staff member resigns. Recall privileges will also cease if, upon being recalled, the staff member fails to report within twenty (20) calendar days after the mailing of a written notice of recall. Such notice shall be sent to the last address furnished to the superintendent by the staff member, and the twenty (20) day period shall commence to run on the day the notice is mailed. Recall privileges will not apply to teachers under contract with another school district unless that recall is for anticipated positions in the ensuing year.