14.1  Definitions

14.1.1        Transfer refers to any action of the Administration which results in the movement of a member of the unit from one (1) work site to another.

14.1.2        Assignment is the initial placement of a member of the unit in a specific work site and departments/grade level(s)/track in the school district by the administration.

14.1.3        Reassignment refers to the change of assignment from one (1) instructional department/grade level to another at the same location.

14.1.4        For purposes of this Article, “qualified” shall be interpreted to mean successful teaching experience or academic preparation for the position under consideration as well as proper credentials.

14.2 Transfers The two (2) types of transfers are Employee-initiated (voluntary) and Employer-initiated (involuntary).

14.2.1        Employee-Initiated Transfer (Voluntary)

14.2.1.1     Employees who desire to transfer to another work site shall file a completed transfer request form with the Superintendent/Designee prior to February 15. Requests will remain valid until June 1 for YRE employees and August 1 for traditional employees. The request will include the work site(s), in order of preference, to which the employee desires transfer as well as the subjects/grade levels within credential authorization which he/she is willing to teach. A conference shall be held within a reasonable period of time at the request of the member of the unit or the Superintendent/Designee.

14.2.1.2     An employee may make a request for a transfer at any time, prior to the filing deadline, for specific certificated vacancies.  

14.2.1.3     In acting on requests for voluntary transfer, the three (3) qualified applicants with the greatest District-wide seniority shall be eligible for selection. Should a selection process be implemented to fill the vacancy on a transfer basis, at least one (1) unit member (department chairperson or grade level representative, for example) will serve as a member of the panel. An “Unsatisfactory” or “Needs to Improve” overall rating on the two most recent summary performance evaluations may be cause for disqualification from consideration for a voluntary transfer.

14.2.1.4     The filing of a voluntary transfer application is without prejudice to the employee and shall not jeopardize the present assignment. A voluntary transfer application may be withdrawn in writing by the employee at any time prior to the notification that the transfer has been approved.

14.2.1.5     No employee shall be overtly or indirectly pressured by the Administration to seek a transfer.

14.2.1.6     Unit members assigned to two (2) or more work sites retain all voluntary transfer and reassignment rights at all sites.

14.2.2 Employer-Initiated Transfer (Involuntary)

14.2.2.1     No vacancies will be filled by means of an involuntary transfer if there is a request by a qualified volunteer. Volunteers will be sought from among those members of the site who are qualified. If no qualified volunteer is forthcoming, an involuntary transfer may be effected in accordance with this Section.

14.2.2.2     A transfer may be made by the District at any time for the reasons listed below:

14.2.2.2.1  A teacher/student imbalance;

14.2.2.2.2  Program needs of schools requiring employees with specific skills, credential(s) held, certificates (including, but not limited to, GATE, EL authorization/CLAD), experiences, and strengths;

14.2.2.2.3  To provide an opportunity to evaluate an employee in a different school or location upon mutual agreement.

When this is necessary, an employee’s area of competence, major or minor field of study, seniority, credential(s) held, certificates, and the requirements of the position will be considered in determining which employee is to be transferred. If there are no substantial, distinguishing differences in relation to these major factors, preference will be given to the employee with the greatest length of District service.

14.2.2.3     An involuntary transfer will be made only after a meeting between the employee involved and the Superintendent/designee, at which time the teacher will be notified in writing of the reason therefore. The teacher may have the option to have a representative of the Redlands Teachers Association present at such a meeting. No teacher will be transferred without due process.

14.2.2.4     Notice of available positions will be given to all teachers being involuntarily transferred. Such teachers may request the positions, in order of preference, to which they desire to be transferred. The preferences expressed shall be considered until all positions are filled.

14.2.2.5     Notice of any involuntary transfer or reassignment shall be given to the teacher as soon as practicable and, except in cases of extenuating circumstances such as unforeseen changes in enrollment at particular schools or teacher illness, no later than August 15.

14.2.3        Administrative Transfer Notwithstanding Article 14, transfer of unit members may be initiated by the District, with the consent of the unit member, whenever such transfer is in the best interest of all parties concerned.

14.3 Transfer During School Year If a teacher is transferred during the school year, he/she will be allowed two (2) days release time to set up the new class, observe other comparable programs, and gather necessary materials. No employee shall be transferred with less than five (5) days notice.

14.4 Vacancies, Temporary Openings All vacant bargaining unit positions and temporary openings of a semester's duration or longer shall initially be posted for two (2) days within the District, prior to advertising externally. Whenever possible, postings shall indicate the probable site, grade level(s) and/or subject area(s). Vacancy postings will be distributed regularly for posting to the following areas:  faculty bulletin boards; areas specified for reporting arrival at school/ district work sites; and at the office of the Redlands Teachers Association. Vacancies which occur during student vacation periods will be posted at the District central office and only the District sites which are open during such periods, and will be sent to the office of the Redlands Teachers Association.

14.5 Transportation For Materials The District shall provide transportation for materials and custodial service to assist in relocation required by transfer.

14.6 Reassignment

14.6.1        Employee Initiated Reassignment (Voluntary)

14.6.1.1     Members of the unit who desire a change in grade level, subject assignment, or track within a school may request such a change in writing directly to the Principal, no later than February 15 of the year preceding the requested change, who shall have discretion to make assignment changes within a particular school.

14.6.1.2     The two (2) qualified applicants for reassignment with the greatest District-wide seniority shall be eligible for selection.

14.6.2        Employer Initiated Reassignment (Involuntary)

14.6.2.1     When a reasonable cause exists due to teacher/student imbalance for an involuntary reassignment, the qualified member of the unit (at traditional sites) or the affected track (at year round sites) with the least District-wide seniority will be selected.

14.6.2.2     Before a vacancy will be filled involuntarily, the District will seek volunteers among those members of the staff at the site who are qualified.

14.6.3        Reassignments During School Year

14.6.3.1     An involuntary reassignment will be made only after a meeting between the unit member and the site administrator. The member may have the option to have a representative of the Association present at such a meeting.

14.6.3.2     If a unit member is reassigned he/she will be allowed one (1) day released time to set up the new class, if such reassignment involves all of his/her assignment. No member shall be reassigned with less than two (2) days notice.

14.7 Combination Class Assignments Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14.6.2.1 above, assignment and reassignment to combination classes shall be on an annual systematic rotation basis. Combination classes shall be assigned as follows:  Volunteers will be sought to take the affected grade levels at the site; if no volunteers at the site are available, the combination class or classes shall be systematically rotated on an annual basis among the permanent teachers at the affected grade level(s).

At YRE sites, volunteers will be sought to take the affected grade levels within the affected track at the site. If no volunteers within the affected track at the site are available, the combination classes shall be systematically rotated on an annual basis among the permanent teachers at the affected grade levels within the affected track.

Systematic rotation will mean assignment of the permanent unit member who has not had a combination class, within the District, for the greatest number of years. Seniority will be the determining factor if the number of years since the last combination assignment are the same between two unit members.

Probationary teachers may not be placed in combination classes unless no permanent teachers meeting the above criteria are available at the site. The only exception to the previous statement will be if a first year teacher, assigned at the affected grade levels, has at least four (4) years of recent successful teaching experience. Whenever possible, no teacher shall be involuntarily assigned to a combination class two (2) consecutive years.

Combination class teachers shall have the first choice of vacant positions available at their site for the following school year. Such assignment shall be final as of the last working day of the school year.

14.8 District Discretion The choice of filling any and all vacancies through transfer and/or reassignment of currently employed personnel or through hiring and placement of newly hired personnel shall be at the discretion of the District. In the event that the District's decision is to solicit outside applicants for a vacancy, members with valid transfer requests/letters of application on file will be afforded the option of competing on an equal basis with all other candidates.