The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Alberta School Act, and the Alberta Labour Relations Code, as amended from time to time.

Between the Chinook's Edge School Division No. 73, (hereinafter called "the Board") of the first part, and The Alberta Teachers' Association, a body corporate incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta, (hereinafter called "the Association") of the second part.

Whereas the Association is the bargaining agent for the teachers employed by the Board; and

Whereas terms and conditions of employment and salaries have been the subject of negotiations between the parties;

Whereas the parties desire that these matters be set forth in an Agreement concerning terms of employment of the said teachers; and

And whereas, the terms and conditions of employment and the salaries of the teachers have been the subject of negotiations between the parties, and shall accord with the provisions of all applicable statutes of the Province of Alberta;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that in consideration of the premises and of the mutual and other covenants herein contained the parties agree as follows:

1.   BARGAINING UNIT

1.1   This Agreement applies to all employees of the Board who, as a condition of their employment, must possess a valid teaching certificate issued under the authority of the Department of Education, the Province of Alberta, herein collectively called the teachers, or where the context requires, teacher, except those designated as:

(a) Superintendent,

(b) Deputy or Assistant Superintendent(s) or Associate Superintendent(s),

(c) Director, Curriculum and Instruction,

(d) Director, Special Education,

(e) Director, Technology Services.

(f) Divisional Psychologist(s)

2.   SCOPE

2.1   The Board retains those residual rights of management not specifically limited by the terms of this Agreement.

2.2   The matters negotiated by the parties in respect of the salaries and the terms and conditions of the teachers' employment with the Board are governed by the provisions of this Agreement and any statutory provisions relating thereto.

3.   TERM OF AGREEMENT

3.1   This Agreement takes effect September 1, 2012 and terminates August 31, 2016. Either party may give to the other not less than sixty (60) days nor more than one-hundred and eighty (180) days prior to the termination of this Agreement a notice in writing of its intention to commence collective bargaining.

3.1.1   Not more than thirty (30) days after notice is served the parties to this Agreement shall meet:

(a) to establish ground rules;

(b) to set dates for future meetings;

(c) and may exchange proposals

3.1.2   The two parties may, at any time, upon their mutual consent, negotiate revisions to this Agreement. Any such revisions mutually agreed upon shall become effective from such date as determined during the course of negotiations.

3.2   If neither party submits notice as per clause 3.1, this Agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter until notification of desire to amend or terminate is given as per clause 3.1.

3.3   The wording and figures contained in the articles and schedules of this Agreement shall not be changed by either party, except through mutual agreement.

3.4   The Board shall make available in each school copies of the Collective Agreement for each teacher. Upon engagement, each new teacher shall be given a copy. Costs shall be shared equally between the Board and The Alberta Teachers' Association Local No. 17.

4.   SALARY SCHEDULE

4.1   The Board shall pay all teachers the salaries and allowances herein set forth and computed. All sums mentioned herein are "per annum" unless specifically stated otherwise. One (1) month salary shall be one-twelfth (1/12) part of the annual salary at the rate in effect that month.

4.1.1   Except for substitute teachers, each teacher shall be paid one-twelfth (1/12) of the annual rate of salary as follows:

(a) on the 27th of the month or the Friday prior if the 27th falls on a Saturday or a Sunday;

(b) not later than two (2) clear banking days prior to the Christmas vacation;

4.1.2   Teachers shall have their salary payments electronically deposited to their designated bank account.

4.2   The number of years of teacher education and the years of teaching experience, as computed according to this Agreement, shall together determine the basic salary rate of each teacher employed by the Board.

4.3   The following salary schedule, as referenced above, shall be effective as indicated:

Schedule "A"   Effective September 1, 2012

Grid restructuring will result in rows ten (10) and eleven (11) being equal for the 2012-2013 school year.

Effective September 1, 2014, increase salary grids, in effect August 31, 2014, by 0.03%.

Effective September 1, 2015, increase all salaries by two percent (2%).

A one-time lump-sum payment of one percent (1%) of the annual salary as set out in the Collective Agreement grid in effect as of November 15, 2015 will be paid to all teachers on contract on that date and paid no later than the end of December of 2015.

4.4   Nothing in this agreement shall reduce the basic salary of a teacher below the basic salary payable immediately prior to the effective date of this agreement.

4.5   A teacher who is employed to teach on a part-time basis for the full school year or a portion thereof shall be paid that fraction of the annual salary entitlement and group insurance plan premiums which corresponds to the fraction of time taught.

5.   ADMINISTRATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE ALLOWANCES

5.1   In addition to the foregoing salary, there shall be paid administrative allowances in accordance with the following schedule:

5.1.1   Effective September 1, 2012, principals shall be paid:

Effective September 1, 2015, principals shall be paid:

5.1.2   Effective September 1, 2012, vice-principals shall be paid:

Effective September 1, 2015, vice-principals shall be paid: 

5.1.3   When an administrator is transferred at the Board’s request, the affected administrator’s administrative allowance shall not be reduced below the administrative allowance (inclusive of any negotiated adjustment for that school year) paid to the administrator prior to the transfer, for a period of three (3) years. At the commencement of the fourth and subsequent years, the affected administrator’s administrative allowance will be reduced by twenty percent (20%) until the amount of the administrative allowance is equal to the new administrative allowance payable.

5.2   Additional Allowances

The additional allowances are to be adjusted on the same dates and by the same percentage increases as are applied to the salary grid.

In addition to the salary specified in 4.3, there shall be paid additional allowances for other designated administrative positions as follows:

(a) Effective September 1, 2012

Effective September 1, 2015

Note: Division Coordinators appointed prior to September 1, 2005 shall be paid an allowance of $7,523.

5.3   In a school where there are nine (9) or more teachers including the principal, the Board shall designate one (1) teacher to be vice-principal, unless an alternative administrative designation is deemed to be more practical after consultation and agreement between the Board and the principal and staff of the school concerned.

5.4   Acting Principal

5.4.1   When in the absence of the principal, the vice-principal or other designee acts in his/her place for a period of five (5) or more consecutive school days, the vice-principal or other designee shall be designated as acting principal and shall receive an allowance computed as per 5.1.1 effective the fifth day and every consecutive day thereafter of the period during which he or she is designated.

5.4.2   In schools where there is not a vice principal, a teacher shall be designated acting principal and will be paid in accordance with the administration formula specified in article 5.1.1 effective the fifth consecutive day of the principals absence, and prorated in accordance with the service rendered.

5.4.3   Such designation shall terminate upon the return to duty of the principal or either the principal or vice-principal(s), or upon the appointment of a new principal, who has assumed responsibility within the school, whichever is sooner.

5.5   The pupil count for all administrative allowances to be as of September 30 in each school year and Kindergarten students shall be counted in the same fashion as they are counted for grant purposes by Alberta Education.

5.6   The Board may create or fill administrative positions other than those specifically enumerated in clause 5.2 hereof, provided that additional allowances are negotiated with The Alberta Teachers' Association Local No. 17 Economic Policy Committee's negotiating subcommittee before advertising and filling such position. If after ten (10) days from the time the notice is given to the committee no agreement is reached, the Board may proceed to fill the position with the understanding that the amount of the allowance will be on the bargaining table at the next round of salary negotiations.

5.7   When a principal is seconded by division office to work on a project basis, the principal will continue to receive the same allowance during the secondment that the principal was receiving just prior to being seconded.

6.   TEACHER EDUCATION

6.1   The evaluation of teacher education for salary purposes shall be determined by a statement of qualifications issued by the Alberta Teachers' Association Teacher Qualifications Service in accordance with the principles and policies established by the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board pursuant to the Memorandum of Agreement dated March 23, 1967, among the Department of Education, the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Alberta School Trustees' Association.

6.2   The adjustment dates for changes in the allowance for university education are commencement of the school year and February 1.

6.3   Each teacher claiming additional teacher education, and each teacher commencing employment with the Board shall supply satisfactory evidence of teacher education to the Board within ninety (90) calendar days from commencement of the school year or from the date of commencement of employment or adjustment dates.

6.3.1   If satisfactory evidence is not submitted within ninety (90) calendar days, salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following submission of satisfactory evidence. This clause shall not apply if the teacher submits the letter of proof of application from Teacher Qualifications Service for evaluation of teacher education to the Board within forty five (45) calendar days of commencement of employment or adjustment dates.

6.4   In the event of an appeal or re-evaluation by a teacher of an aforementioned Teacher Qualifications Service evaluation, salary will be adjusted retroactively to the date of the evaluation being appealed or re-evaluated provided such action is initiated by the teacher within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of the said Teacher Qualifications Service evaluation. Written proof of such an action by the teacher is required by the Board to substantiate a claim under these provisions.

6.4.1   If an appeal or re-evaluation is not launched by a teacher within the said sixty (60) days, salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following submission of the result of the action by the teacher provided such month is not July or August.

6.5   Until the teacher submits satisfactory evidence of qualifications, the teacher shall be placed on the salary schedule according to the most recent acceptable statement of qualifications or according to the minimum education requirements for their teaching certificate.

7.   EXPERIENCE INCREMENTS

7.1   A year of teaching experience shall be earned by teachers providing service for at least the equivalent of one-hundred and twenty-five (125) school days with the Board. Teaching experience earned by part-time teachers shall be accumulated within four (4) consecutive years. When a year of teaching experience has been accumulated, the teacher shall not begin to earn additional teaching experience until an increment has been granted at the beginning of another school year, or February 1.

The number of years of teaching experience earned by a teacher prior to engagement by the Board is granted as if it had been teaching experience in schools under the Board’s jurisdiction. 

No teacher shall receive increments for experience gained while not holding a valid teaching certificate.

7.2   The adjustment date for changes in the number of increments allowed for teaching experience shall be at the commencement of the school year or February 1st.

7.3   Any teacher who substitutes part-time or full-time in the same position on five (5) or more consecutive days shall accumulate those days or part thereof for the purpose of receiving an increment.

7.4   The teacher shall be responsible to submit satisfactory evidence of teaching experience to the Board from other previous employer(s).

7.5   Proof of previous experience, or proof of having applied for same must be submitted to the Board within forty five (45) calendar days of commencement of the school year, or the date of commencement of employment or February 1, whichever is applicable.

7.5.1   If such evidence is submitted within the forty five (45) calendar days, salary shall be paid according to this experience effective the date of commencement of the school year, or the date of commencement of employment or February 1, whichever is applicable.

7.5.2   If such evidence is not submitted within the aforementioned forty five (45) days, the teacher shall be placed on the salary schedule according to the most recent acceptable statement of experience and years of university education. The salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following submission of such evidence.

7.6   A teacher shall not receive more than one (1) increment per year regardless of circumstances.

8.   SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

8.1   Effective September 1, 2012, substitute teachers shall be paid a per diem rate, the amount of which shall include vacation pay, as follows:

$195.22 per day

$117.13 per half day

Effective September 1, 2015, substitute teachers shall be paid a per diem rate, the amount of which shall include vacation pay, as follows:

$199.12 per day

$119.47 per half day

8.2   Effective September 1, 2005, a substitute teacher who teaches four (4) or more consecutive days in the same teaching position shall be paid effective the fifth day and every consecutive day thereafter a daily rate equivalent to one-two hundredth (1/200) of his/her placement on the salary schedule.

Effective September 1, 2010, a substitute teacher who teaches three (3) or more consecutive days in the same teaching position shall be paid effective the fourth day and every consecutive day thereafter a daily rate equivalent to one two hundredth (1/200) of his/her placement on the salary schedule.

8.3   When a substitute teacher is required for a period in excess of five (5) consecutive teaching days in the same teaching assignment, the same substitute teacher shall be retained unless the substitute teacher is unwilling to continue the assignment.

Effective September 1, 2010, when a substitute teacher is required for a period in excess of four (4) consecutive teaching days in the same teaching assignment, the same substitute teacher shall be retained unless the substitute teacher is unwilling to continue the assignment.

8.4   Substitute teachers shall be paid not later than the tenth day of the month following, provided the necessary payroll information is submitted no later than three (3) calendar days following the last teaching day of the month in which the days were taught.

8.5   Continuous service as a substitute teacher in the same teaching assignment shall be deemed to be uninterrupted in the event of Holidays; Teachers’ Convention; or District, School, or Local Professional Development Days.

9.   SICK LEAVE

9.1   Sick leave benefits are sponsored by the Board and will be granted with pay for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment or on account of injury, illness or disability to the extent hereinafter provided.

9.2 (a) In the first year of employment with the Board, the teacher shall be entitled to statutory sick leave. Should sick leave exceed the number of days of sick leave entitlement, any salary adjustment required shall be made on the last cheque issued to the teacher for the current school year.

(b) During the second and subsequent years under contract, annual sick leave with full salary will be granted for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, sickness or disability for ninety (90) calendar days.

(c) A teacher who has more than one (1) year of service and has been absent due to medical disability shall, upon return to full-time duty, be entitled to an additional sick leave benefit of ninety (90) calendar days.

9.3   A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, disability or sickness for a period of more than three (3) consecutive teaching days may be required to present a medical certificate following the fifth teaching day of absence.

9.3.1   When a teacher has been absent on sick leave in excess of twenty (20) consecutive days and wishes to return to work the teacher may be required by the Board, at the Board’s expense, to provide medical evidence stating that the teacher is fit to perform regular duties.

9.4   A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, disability or sickness for a period of three (3) teaching days or less may be required to present a signed statement giving the reason for such absence.

9.5   Teachers shall be eligible for sick leave from the onset of illness or disability to the extent of sick leave credited to them but not beyond the date of eligibility for benefit under the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan.

9.5.1   After ninety (90) continuous calendar days of illness or medical disability, no further salary shall be paid.

9.6   Provisions of this article shall not be applicable when a teacher is on another leave (other than sick leave) without pay, or while on strike or lockout.

9.7   When a teacher leaves the employ of the Board, all accumulated sick leave shall be cancelled.

9.7.1   Notwithstanding clause 9.7, in the case of a teacher who has had one (1) or more years of continuous service with the Board, and within two (2) years is re-employed by the Board, the teacher shall have entitlement to ninety (90) calendar days of sick leave reinstated.

10.   SABBATICAL LEAVE

10.1   Sabbatical leave shall mean any long term leave of absence granted to a teacher for professional development through study.

10.2   Sabbatical leave may be granted at the discretion of the Board.

10.3   The remuneration of a teacher granted sabbatical leave shall be $36,835. Effective September 1, 2015, the remuneration shall increase to $37,572.

10.3.1   Sabbatical leave for the duration of a semester or trimester may be granted by the Board. Remuneration shall be calculated on a prorated basis in accordance with clause 10.3.

10.4   A teacher who is granted sabbatical leave shall give an undertaking in writing to return to his/her duties following the expiry of his/her leave and shall not resign or retire from teaching service other than by mutual agreement between the Board and the teacher, for a period of at least two (2) years after resuming duties.

10.5   Should a teacher, by mutual consent, resign or retire from the service of the Board before completing his/her two (2) years service following such leave, repayment of sabbatical leave salary shall be made to the Board on a prorated basis. Teachers on extended disability shall not have this counted as a repayment period.

10.6   Experience increments will not be granted to teachers for the period of leave.

10.7   A teacher granted sabbatical leave shall enter into an individual written agreement with the Board as to the conditions under which the teacher may return to the school system at the conclusion of the leave provided the individual contract does not contravene the Collective Agreement.

10.8   For leaves commencing on or after September 1st, applications must be made on or before the 30^th of April.

10.9   All applicants shall be informed of the Board’s decision immediately following the regular May Board meeting.

11.   MATERNITY LEAVE

11.1   Effective February 5, 1997, teachers are entitled to maternity leave without pay for a period not exceeding eighteen (18) weeks.

11.2   When possible, a teacher will notify the Board of her leave requirements three (3) months in advance of the first day of leave. The commencement of, and return from, maternity leave shall be determined by the teacher. A medical certificate certifying pregnancy and expected date of delivery shall accompany such notification.

11.3   Any teacher returning from maternity leave is entitled to a teaching position with the Board. Any teacher returning from maternity leave who was employed on a probationary contract immediately prior to the leave may, at the discretion of the Board, be offered a second probationary contract of employment.

11.4   The Board shall continue to contribute the Board’s share of group insurance plan premiums during the entire maternity leave where the teacher chooses to continue coverage.

11.5   A teacher who is absent from teaching duties for a health related reason due to pregnancy that is substantiated by a medical certificate from a physician indicating the expected duration of the medical condition and the expected date of next assessment, shall, in lieu of salary provided in this Agreement, accept supplementary employment benefits for the actual period of such medical condition pursuant to the medical evidence and a Supplementary Employment Benefits Plan registered by the Board.

11.6   Maternity leave (other than the health related portion due to pregnancy defined in clause 11.5) shall not be considered teaching experience for the purpose of granting salary increments.

Adoption Leave

11.7   Teachers are entitled to adoption leave without pay in accordance with the Employment Standards Code, the leave shall not however exceed thirty-seven (37) weeks.

11.8   Teachers entitled to adoption leave shall notify the Board, in writing, of leave requirements three (3) months in advance of the leave, if possible, and at the first opportunity to do so afterwards if the three (3) month requirement cannot be met.

11.9   Only one (1) parent of an adopted child shall be entitled to adoption leave under these provisions.

11.10   Any teacher returning from adoption leave is entitled to a teaching position with the Board. Any teacher returning from adoption leave who was employed on a probationary contract immediately prior to such leave may, at the discretion of the Board, be offered a second probationary contract of employment.

11.11   One (1) day leave with pay shall be provided to a teacher to attend the adoption of his/her child.

11.12   The Board shall continue to contribute the Board’s share of group insurance plan premiums during the entire adoption leave where the teacher chooses to continue coverage.

11.13   Adoption leave shall not be considered teaching experience for the purposes of granting salary increments.

Child Care Leave

11.14   Child Care Leave shall be granted to a teacher without pay, allowances and other benefits of this Agreement for a period of up to one (1) school year:

(a) to provide care to a teacher's child less than two (2) years of age; or

(b) to care for the teacher's adopted child less than three (3) years of age or the teacher's adopted child who is identified as a special needs child.

11.15   The teacher shall, in consultation with the superintendent, three (3) months in advance of the leave, determine the commencement date of the leave.

11.16   Return from child care leave shall occur at the beginning of a school year or the beginning of a reporting period or at such other time as mutually agreed by the teacher and superintendent.

11.17   Teachers returning from child care leave are entitled to a teaching position with the Board. Any teacher returning from such leave who was employed on a probationary contract immediately prior to the leave may, at the discretion of the Board, be offered a second probationary contract of employment.

11.18   A teacher requesting return prior to the expiry of the leave will be considered for appropriate vacancies.

11.19   Where child care leave is granted in conjunction with maternity or adoption leave, the combined total leave shall not exceed twelve (12) months.

11.20   Leave taken for the purpose of child care shall not be considered teaching experience for the purpose of granting a salary increment.

11.21   One (1) day of paternal leave with pay shall be provided to a teacher occasioned by the birth of his child.

12.   OTHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE

Leave of absence shall be granted under the following conditions:

12.1   A teacher is entitled to temporary leave of absence with pay and such leave is deemed to be an authorized leave of absence approved by the Board pursuant to section 111(1)(d)(i) of the School Act, 2000.

12.2   A teacher is entitled to not more than five (5) teaching days for each occurrence because of the critical illness or five (5) teaching days for death of spouse, child, parent, legal guardian, brother, sister, parents of spouse, grandparents, grandchildren, grandparents of spouse, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, or a relative who is a member of the teacher's household and up to three (3) teaching days to attend the funeral of aunts or uncles of the teacher or spouse, or nieces or nephews of the teacher or spouse, or close personal friends.

12.2.1   A teacher shall be entitled to use sick leave where the teacher’s presence is required, by the physician, for non-routine medical procedures for a child or spouse or household member. 

12.3   A teacher is entitled to a leave of absence with pay for one (1) day to attend convocation at a post-secondary institution at which the teacher or the teacher's son, daughter, or spouse is graduating.

12.3.1   A teacher is entitled to a leave of absence with pay for one (1) day per calendar year to write an examination related to the teacher's academic studies.

12.4   A teacher who, despite reasonable effort, is unable to travel to his/her school from his/her usual place of residence because of (a) inclement weather, (b) impassable road conditions, or (c) failure of transportation facilities other than his/her own, is entitled to his/her salary for the periods of absence so occasioned.

12.5   Leave of absence for salary negotiations shall be granted without loss of salary, provided that the Board shall be reimbursed by the Alberta Teachers' Association Local No. 17 for the cost of a substitute for each day of such leave.

12.6   Upon request to the Superintendent or designate, with two weeks notice where possible, a teacher shall be granted up to three (3) personal leave days per school year subject to operational feasibility.

(a) One of these days shall be at no cost to the teacher/principal. If this day is not used at the end of the school year, it will be accumulated at a rate of one (1) day per school year to a maximum of five (5) days.

Effective September 1, 2014, two (2) of these days shall be at no cost to the teacher/principal. If this day is not used at the end of the school year, it will be accumulated at a rate of one (1) day per school year to a maximum of five (5) days.

(b) For the other days the cost of a substitute, including benefits, shall be borne by the teacher

Effective September 1, 2014, for the other day the cost of a substitute, including benefits, shall be borne by the teacher.

(c) A teacher/principal may not use more than four (4) personal leave days in one (1) school year, unless approved by the Superintendent.

12.6.1   Clause 12.6 shall be applicable to part-time teachers on a basis pro-rated to the period of the teacher’s actual service in the year bears to a year of full-time service.

12.7   When a teacher is required to serve on a jury or is subpoenaed to appear in the courts as a witness, the Board will continue to pay the teacher's full salary provided the full amount of the allowance(s) (excluding reimbursement for authorized expenses) received by the teacher from the courts is remitted to the Board.

12.8   Association Business

The Board shall grant leave of absence with full pay for teachers who are absent to attend to professional business at the local level approved by The Alberta Teachers' Association. The Alberta Teachers' Association Local No. 17 will reimburse the Board at the daily rate or, where appropriate, the half-daily rate for substitute teachers under clauses 8.1 and 8.2 of this Agreement.

12.8.1   It is recognized that from time to time The Alberta Teachers' Association may request that certain of its members be granted release from duties to serve on Association committees or other bodies or to act as its representative. The Association will reimburse the Board at the daily rate or, where appropriate, the half-daily rate for substitute teachers under clauses 8.1 and 8.2 of this Agreement.

12.9   Additional leaves of absence may be granted by the Board with or without pay.

13.   TRANSFERS

13.1   Notwithstanding section 104 of the School Act, 2000, no teacher who has been designated a principal, vice principal or assistant principal prior to September, 1993 shall be transferred to another school without the teacher's consent.

13.2   When the Board requests a teacher to transfer to another school, it shall move the teacher or shall pay reasonable moving expenses necessarily incurred due to such transfer.

14.   GROUP INSURANCE

14.1   When enrolment and other requirements for group participation in various plans have been met, the Board will sponsor such plans to the portion agreed upon and such sponsorship shall not exceed that which is authorized or accepted by the benefit agency.

14.2   The Board shall contribute toward the costs of the various premiums as follows:

(a) ASEBP Extended Disability Benefit, Plan D, Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Schedule 2 – ninety-five percent (95%) of each teacher's monthly premium.

(b) ASEBP Extended Health Care Plan 1 – ninety-five percent (95%) of each teacher's monthly premium.

(c) ASEBP Dental Care Plan 3 – ninety-five percent (95%) of each teacher's monthly premium.

(d) Alberta Health Care – ninety-five percent (95%) of each teacher's monthly premium.

(e) ASEBP Vision Care Plan 3 – ninety-five percent (95%) of each teacher's monthly premium.

Effective September 1, 2014, the Board shall contribute ninety-seven point five percent (97.5%) toward the costs of the various premiums.

14.3   Provided that it is consistent with the provisions of the Federal Income Tax Act, the Board contributions under this article will be applied in the most tax advantageous manner for each teacher enrolled.

14.4   Subject to the provisions of the master policies, all teachers appointed to the staff of the Board after the signing of this Collective Agreement shall be required to enrol in the ASEBP Plans and Alberta Health Care. All teachers enrolled in the plans on the signing date of this Agreement shall continue to be enrolled in the plans. A teacher may be exempted from participation in the Extended Health Care Plan and the Dental Plan and the Vision Plan and the Alberta Health Care Plan upon submitting proof of participation in these or similar plans through his or her spouse.

14.5   Payments towards group insurance plans by the Board shall permit it to retain and not pass on to teachers, any rebates of premiums otherwise required under the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission (previously Unemployment Insurance Commission) regulations.

14.6   The Board shall deduct from the monthly salary of each teacher enrolled in said insurance plans, the teacher's share of the monthly premiums and shall remit payment for premiums to the appropriate companies.

14.7   Effective September 1, 2012, the Board agrees to contribute an amount equal to $600.00 in equal monthly installments, to a health care spending account for the benefit of each eligible teacher and his/her dependent(s). Eligible teachers are those teachers eligible to participate in the benefit plans. Teachers whose assignment is less than 0.5 FTE will have this amount pro-rated based on their FTE.

15.   GENERAL

15.1   No teacher shall be required to render service for more than two hundred (200) days or the equivalent in a school year, exclusive of designated and statutory holidays unless mutually agreed.

15.1.1   A teacher regularly assigned to classroom duties who agrees to render service in excess of two hundred (200) days shall be paid at the rate of 1/200 of the rate of his/her total salary for each day he/she is so employed in excess of two hundred 200 days.

15.1.2   Notwithstanding 15.1.1, it is recognized that teachers who are in receipt of an administrative or supervisory allowance, shall accept the professional responsibility of having their units operational on the opening day of school each school term, semester or other division of the school year. In a like manner, such teachers shall accept the professional responsibility of completing all activities connected with school opening and closing.

15.2   Newly appointed teachers may be required to present a medical certificate establishing that they are fit for duties.

16.   GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

16.1   Any difference (hereinafter called "a grievance") between any employee covered by this Agreement and the Board, or in a proper case between Local No. 17 of The Alberta Teachers' Association and the Board concerning the interpretation, application, operation or alleged violation of this Agreement, and further including any dispute as to whether the difference is arbitrable, shall be dealt with as follows, without stoppage of work or refusal to perform work.

16.1.1   Step A - The grievance shall be in writing and must include a statement of the following:

(a) the name(s) of the aggrieved;

(b) the nature of the grievance and the circumstances which gave rise to the grievance;

(c) the remedy or correction the Board is requested to make;

(d) the section(s) where the Agreement is claimed to be violated.

Such written grievance shall be submitted to the Superintendent of Human Resources of the Board and to the Chairperson of the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) of the Alberta Teachers' Association Local No. 17 within twenty (20) teaching days following the date of the occurrence giving rise to the grievance or when the grievant first became aware of the occurrence giving rise to the grievance.

The Superintendent of Human Resources of the Board shall have fifteen (15) teaching days in which to communicate a decision in writing to the grievor.

The Board or a committee of the Board and the grievant(s), with or without an Alberta Teachers' Association representative, may request a meeting within these fifteen (15) days in an attempt to resolve the dispute.

16.1.2   Step B – If a party to the grievance is not satisfied with the decision in 16.1.1 or if the grievance is not resolved within the said timeline then either party may, by written notice, require the establishment of an arbitration board as hereinafter provided. Such notice must be given within ten (10) days after the aforesaid twenty-one (21) day time limit expires. 

16.2   Each party shall appoint one (1) member as its representative on the arbitration board within seven (7) days of such notice, and the two (2) members shall endeavour to select an independent chairman.

16.3   If the two (2) members fail to select a chairman within five (5) days after the day on which the latter of the two (2) members is appointed, they shall request the Director of Mediation Services to select a chairman.

16.4   The arbitration board shall determine its own procedure but shall give full opportunity to all parties to present evidence and to be heard.

16.5   The arbitration board shall not change, modify or alter any of the terms of this Agreement.

16.6   The arbitration board shall give its decision not later than fourteen (14) days after the appointment of the chairman except with the consent of the Board and the Association, by whose joint consent only shall such limitations of time be extended. The findings and decisions of a majority of an arbitration board shall be the findings and decisions of the arbitration board and shall be binding on the parties.

16.7   Each party to a grievance shall bear the expenses of its respective nominee and the two (2) parties shall bear equally the expenses of the chairman.

16.8   Where any reference in clauses 16.1 to 16.6 inclusive are to a period of days, such period shall be exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, statutory and Board declared holidays and vacation periods.

16.9   The purpose of the grievance procedure is to ensure that all grievances are processed properly and expeditiously. Therefore, strict adherence to the provisions of the grievance procedure is mandatory. If the respondent fails to comply with the provisions of the grievance procedure, the grievance may be processed to the next step. If the grievor fails to comply with the provisions of the grievance procedure, the grievance shall be considered abandoned. Time limits may only be extended by the written agreement of both parties.

17.   SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS

17.1   When a student with special needs is placed in a regular class setting, the teacher will:

(a) be invited to participate in education related case conferences prior to the placement with personnel associated with the placement of the student;

(b) have access to information that in the opinion of the Board or its designee is pertinent to the placement; and

(c) be provided in-service training to meet the needs of the student provided the Board or its designee deem the training necessary.

18.   YEAR ROUND SCHOOLING

In order to implement Year Round Schooling the following criteria shall apply.

18.1   Year Round Schooling means the organization of a school year in which students are provided instruction for a maximum of two hundred (200) days as per the School Act 2000 and clauses 15.1 and 15.1.1 of the Collective Agreement. The school year shall be divided into four (4) instructional periods of roughly equal duration, separated by vacation or intersessional period(s).

18.2   The school year (Year Round Schooling) shall begin on or about August 1 and end on or about June 30 of each year.

18.3   The total length of instruction per year shall be comparable to that of a traditional school year.

18.4   Effective July 1, 2005 newly hired teachers or those teachers returning from an unpaid leave shall be entitled to a "transitional payment" in July and/or August provided that there is a minimum of six (6) or more scheduled work days in the month in which the teacher is hired or has returned from an unpaid leave. The total value of this transition payment(s) will be recovered from the twelve (12) regular salary payments described in clause 4.1, 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 above. Teachers in receipt of a transition payment(s) who do not work an entire school year shall have the value of any outstanding balance deducted from the final salary payment during that year. In subsequent years of employment, teachers will receive twelve (12) regular salary payments starting in September and in accordance with clause 3.3.

18.5   The traditional school year is premised on or about a September 1 “commencement of school” and a June 30 closing. The Collective Agreement is organized to reflect this premise. For the purpose of a school authorized to follow the Year Round Schooling calendar, the annual salary of its teachers shall be computed on the same basis as for all teachers covered by this Collective Agreement and paid in twelve (12) monthly intervals as computed from the beginning of the Year Round Schooling calendar, consistent with clauses 4.1, 4.1.1, and 4.1.2.

(a) The salary schedule, allowances and substitute teachers salary of staff designated to teach in a school authorized to use the Year Round Schooling calendar that reflects an on or about August 1 commencement of class shall be computed in a manner consistent with the Collective Agreement.

(b) More specifically, for a school authorized to follow a Year Round Schooling calendar, the following clauses shall be applied as though they read August 1, instead of September 1.

18.6   Whenever time specific days are stipulated in the Collective Agreement, the commencement of the school year shall be deemed to be on or about August 1 for the Year Round Schooling or on or about September 1 for Traditional Schooling.

18.7   The intersession and activities instruction periods shall be deemed as non-instruction periods for teachers assigned to the Year Round Schooling calendar. This non-instruction portion shall be deemed to be the vacation period for all certificated personnel.

18.8   In a school authorized to follow a Year Round Schooling calendar, Kindergarten may be offered concurrently with the Grades 1-6 classes.

19.   OTHER

19.1   This Agreement shall be applicable to all teachers under the employ of the Board during the currency of the Agreement.

19.2   Except where provisions of the Agreement are made with reference to specific provisions in previous Agreements, all previous Agreements and salary schedules between or affecting the parties are hereby cancelled.

19.3   This Agreement shall enure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties and their successors.

20.   PRESENTATIONS AT TEACHERS’ CONVENTIONS

A teacher who is engaged by an Alberta Teachers’ Association Convention Association as a speaker shall be entitled to retain any honorarium and/or stipend provided by the Convention Association in addition to their regular salary and allowances for that day.

21.   DATE OF AGREEMENT

In witness thereof, the parties hereto execute this Agreement by affixing hereto the signatures of their proper officers on their behalf.

DATED AT Innisfail, Alberta, this        day of          , 2013.

ADDENDUM 1

All teachers employed part-time and receiving full group insurance plan premium contributions from the Board under the 1993-95 Bow Valley Agreement shall continue to receive said benefits while under the continuous employ of the Board.

MATERNITY LEAVE SUPPLEMENTATION PLAN

1.   Purpose

The purpose of the plan is to supplement the employment insurance benefits received by female employees of the Chinook's Edge School Division No. 73 for temporary unemployment caused by the health related portion of the employee's maternity leave.

2.   Coverage

The group of employees covered by this particular maternity leave supplementation plan include all female staff of the Chinook's Edge School Division No. 73 who are paid in accordance with the provisions of the Collective Agreement between the Alberta Teachers' Association No. 17 and Chinook's Edge School Division No. 73, and who have served continuously for at least twelve (12) months prior to the commencement date of the maternity leave.

3.   The Plan

The employee agrees to apply for employment insurance benefits when she becomes eligible for the same. The Board agrees to supplement the employment insurance benefits received by the employee equal to the employee’s normal weekly earnings during the health related portion of the leave, falling within the employment insurance entitlement period.

The supplemental benefit shall replace sick leave benefits and the teacher shall have no access to sick leave benefits during maternity leave with the exception of illness claims occurring prior to the commencement of the employee's employment insurance entitlement period.

4.   Terms and Conditions of Payment

To be eligible for payments under the plan, an employee must apply for and be in receipt of employment insurance benefits except in the circumstance that the employee is serving the two (2) week employment insurance waiting period.

The employee must verify for the Board the receipt of such benefits by providing to the Board, a copy of the ‘My Current Claim’ document printed from their electronic Service Canada Account page.

The employee shall not be entitled to payment under the supplementation plan until such time as:

-   the Board has verified the receipt of the employment insurance benefit, and

-   the employee has provided medical evidence confirming the health related reason for absence from work during the maternity leave.

The Board shall pay its portion of each employee's group insurance plan premiums during the health related portion of her maternity leave. The remainder of the maternity leave not covered by the health related portion shall be without pay and without Board contributions to group insurance plan premiums.

5.   Benefit Duration

The Board agrees to supplement employment insurance benefits for a maximum of seventeen (17) weeks or for the health related portion of the employee’s maternity leave, whichever is less. The employee shall not be entitled to any supplementation of employment insurance benefits for any period during which the employee would not have taught but for being on maternity leave.

6.   Extended Disability

The Board shall advise each teacher to apply for extended disability benefits at least thirty (30) days (30) days in advance of her expected eligibility for such benefit. After ninety (90) consecutive calendar days of disability, the teacher shall apply for extended disability benefits and no further salary, group insurance plan premiums, or supplementation of employment insurance benefits shall be payable by the Board.

7.   Plan Duration

This plan will come into effect as of September 1, 1995 and will continue in effect for the duration of this Collective Agreement.

8.   Accumulated Benefits

Payments received under the supplementation plan will not reduce the claimant’s accumulated sick leave, vacation leave, severance pay or any other accumulated credits from employment.