The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This collective agreement is made this ___ of _________________ 20___ between East Central Alberta Catholic Separate Schools Regional Division No. 16 (School Jurisdiction) and the Alberta Teachers’ Association (Association).

Whereas this collective agreement is made pursuant to the laws of the province of Alberta as amended from time to time including but not limited to the School Act, the Alberta Human Rights Act, the Public Education Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA), the Employment Standards Code, and the Labour Relations Code.

Whereas terms and conditions of employment of such teachers and their salaries have been the subject of negotiations between the parties, and

Whereas the parties desire that these matters be set forth in an agreement to govern all the terms of employment of the teachers.

1.            APPLICATION/SCOPE

1.1          This collective agreement shall be applicable to every person who requires a teacher certificate as a condition of employment with the School Jurisdiction excepting those positions agreed to be excluded in local bargaining between the School Jurisdiction and the Association.

1.1.2      All teachers shall, as a condition of their employment by the School Jurisdiction, be and remain members of the Association.

1.2          Excluded Positions

1.2.1      Superintendent

1.2.2      Deputy Superintendent

1.3          The Association is the bargaining agent for each bargaining unit and:

1.3.1      has exclusive authority to bargain collectively with TEBA on behalf of all the teachers in the bargaining units and to bind the teachers in any collective agreement with respect to central terms; and

1.3.2      has exclusive authority to bargain collectively with each School Jurisdiction on behalf of the teachers in each bargaining unit with respect to local terms, and to bind the teachers by a collective agreement.

1.4          The School Jurisdiction retains all management rights, unless otherwise provided by the expressed terms of this collective agreement.

1.5          Implementation of this collective agreement shall not cause a teacher presently employed to receive a salary less than that calculated under any previous collective agreement unless mutually agreed to by TEBA and the Association.

1.6          This collective agreement cancels all former collective agreements and all provisions appended thereto.

1.7          This collective agreement shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties and their successors.

2.            TERM

2.1          The term of this collective agreement is September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. Unless stated otherwise, this collective agreement shall continue in full force and effect through August 31, 2018.

2.2          List Bargaining

2.2.1      Negotiations regarding the list of central and local matters must commence not less than 6 months and not more than 8 months before the expiry of the then existing collective agreement and shall be initiated by a written notice from the Association or TEBA to the other.

2.2.2      If agreement is not reached, the matter shall be determined by arbitration under PECBA.

2.3          Central Matters Bargaining

2.3.1      Either TEBA or the Association may, by written notice to the other, require the other to begin negotiations. Notwithstanding section 59(2) of the Labour Relations Code, a notice to commence central bargaining by TEBA or the Association must be served not less than 15 days and not more than 30 days after the central matters and local matters have been determined.

2.3.2      A notice referred to in subsection 2.3.1 is deemed to be a notice to commence collective bargaining referred to in section 59(1) of the Labour Relations Code.

2.4          Local Bargaining

2.4.1      Notwithstanding section 59(2) of the Labour Relations Code, a notice to commence local bargaining by a School Jurisdiction or the Association must be served after, but not more than 60 days after, the collective agreement referred to in section 11(4) of PECBA has been ratified or the central terms have otherwise been settled.

2.4.2      A notice referred to in subsection 2.4.1 is deemed to be a notice to commence collective bargaining referred to in section 59(1) of the Labour Relations Code.

2.5          Bridging

2.5.1      Notwithstanding section 130 of the Labour Relations Code, when a notice to commence central bargaining has been served, a collective agreement in effect between the parties at the time of service of the notice is deemed to continue to apply to the parties, notwithstanding any termination date in the collective agreement, until

a)            a new collective agreement is concluded, or
b)            a strike or lockout commences under Division 13 of Part 2 of the Labour Relations Code during local bargaining.

2.5.2      If a strike or lockout commences during central bargaining, the deemed continuation of the collective agreement is suspended until an agreement with respect to central terms is ratified under section 11(4) of PECBA or the central terms have otherwise been settled.

2.6          Meet and Exchange

2.6.1      For central table bargaining, representatives of the Association and TEBA shall meet and commence collective bargaining not more than 30 days after notice is given. At the first meeting, the Association and TEBA shall exchange details of all amendments sought.

2.6.2      For local table bargaining, representatives of the Association and a School Jurisdiction shall meet and commence collective bargaining not more than 30 days after notice is given. At the first meeting, the Association and School Jurisdiction shall exchange details of all amendments sought.

2.7          Opening with Mutual Agreement

2.7.1      The Association and TEBA may at any time by mutual agreement negotiate revisions to the central matters contained in this collective agreement. Any such revisions shall become effective from such date as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Association and TEBA.

2.7.2      The Association and the School Jurisdiction may at any time by mutual agreement negotiate revisions to the local matters contained in this collective agreement. Any such revisions shall become effective from the date mutually agreed upon by the parties.

2.8          Provision of Information

2.8.1      As the Association is the bargaining agent for the teachers employed by each School Jurisdiction, each School Jurisdiction shall provide to the Association at least once each year no later than October 31, a list of its teachers who are members of the Association including the name, certificate number, home address, home phone number and the name of their school or other location where employed.

2.8.2      Each School Jurisdiction shall provide the following information to the Association and to TEBA annually:

a)            Teacher distribution by salary grid category and step as of September 30;
b)            Health Spending Account (HSA)/Wellness Spending Account (WSA)/Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) utilization rates;
c)            Most recent School Jurisdiction financial statement;
d)            Total benefit premium cost;
e)            Total substitute teacher cost; and
f)             Total allowances cost.

3.            SALARY

3.1          Salary Pay Date/Schedule

3.1.1      Payment shall be made on or before the 24th day of each month.

3.2          Grid

3.2.1      The School Jurisdiction shall pay all teachers the salaries and allowances as herein set forth and computed.

3.2.2      All sums mentioned herein are "per annum" unless specifically stated otherwise.

3.2.3      The amount of university education of a teacher and the length of teaching experience computed as hereinafter provided, shall together determine the annual salary rate of each teacher employed by the School Jurisdiction. The minimum salary, the maximum salary, and increments for each year of teaching experience are tabulated below.

Effective September 1, 2016

3.3          Education

3.3.1      The evaluation of teacher education for salary purposes shall be determined by a statement of qualification 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 Association, and the Alberta School Trustees Association.

3.3.2      The adjustment dates for changes in the allowances for university education are September 1 and February 1.

3.3.3      A teacher claiming additional university education or a teacher commencing employment with the School Jurisdiction shall supply the School Jurisdiction within 60 days of the above mentioned dates or from the date of commencement of duties a statement of qualifications to be issued by the Teacher Qualifications Service of the Association. Until the teacher submits satisfactory evidence of qualification, 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 his/her teaching certificate.

3.3.4      If proof of application for the statement of qualifications is supplied within 60 days, as specified under clause 3.3.3, the university education shall be paid retroactively according to clause 3.3.2.

3.3.5      If proof of application for the statement of qualifications is not supplied within 60 days, salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following the submission of a statement of qualifications.

3.4          Experience

3.4.1      Teachers shall gain experience while holding a valid Alberta teaching certificate or its equivalent, and working while:

a)            under contract in a position that requires a teaching certificate as a condition of employment, excluding leaves of absence without salary and vacation periods; and
b)            employed as a substitute teacher within the preceding five (5) years.

3.4.2      A teacher shall be granted only one (1) experience increment during any one (1) school year.

3.4.3      Previously unrecognized experience gained in one school year with a School Jurisdiction may be carried over for calculation of experience increments in the following school year with that same School Jurisdiction.

3.4.4      Provisions 3.4.1 through 3.4.4 take effect on September 1, 2017 and shall not be applied retroactively other than to permit unrecognized experience gained in the 2016-17 school year with a School Jurisdiction being carried over for calculation of experience increments in the 2017-18 school year with that same School Jurisdiction.

3.4.5      A year of experience shall be a school year. In the case of a teacher teaching less than the school year, the days taught will be cumulative until 130 full-time equivalent days have been reached.  The salary adjustment will take place on January 1 or September 1 immediately following the accumulation of 130 days.

3.4.6      Whenever a year of teaching experience has been earned, the teacher shall not begin to earn credit toward another year of experience until commencement of another school year or January 1, whichever occurs earlier. A teacher shall earn only one experience increment per school year.

3.4.7      Teaching experience obtained by a teacher prior to engagement by the School Jurisdiction shall be counted as if it had been teaching experience in a school under the School Jurisdiction’s jurisdiction.

3.4.8      The teacher shall be responsible to submit satisfactory evidence of teaching experience to the School Jurisdiction. Until 60 days have elapsed from the commencement of employment, or until satisfactory evidence is submitted, the teacher shall be paid for experience as claimed. If after 60 days satisfactory evidence is not submitted the teacher shall be paid the minimum for his/her years of university education. Years of experience shall be paid retroactive to the commencement of employment.

4.            ADMINISTRATOR ALLOWANCES AND CONDITIONS OF PRACTICE

4.1          Administration Allowances

4.1.1      Administration Allowance as follows:

4.1.1.1   Principal Allowance

Each kindergarten child enrolled as of September 30 of each year shall be added to the preceding counts on the basis of 0.5 FTE per child for the purpose of calculating the principal allowance.

4.1.1.2   Administration allowance will be adjusted on the same dates and by the same percentage increases as are applied to the salary grid. Only per student additions increased by the same percentage as the salary grid.

4.1.2      Vice-Principal's Allowance

4.1.2.1   The vice-principal will receive an administrative allowance equal to 50 percent of the sum allowed the principal.

4.1.2.2   Where there is more than one person sharing the vice-principal position (Management Team) each person will share an administrative allowance equal to 50 percent of the sum allowed the principal. The distribution of this share will be determined by those sharing the position in consultation with the School Jurisdiction.

4.1.3      Coordinator Allowance: A teacher who is designated as a coordinator will receive an annual allowance equivalent to the base allowance payable to the principal. Part-time coordinators’ allowances will be prorated according to the FTE of the appointment.

4.1.4      The student count for purposes of this clause shall be taken September 30.

4.2          Acting/Surrogate Administrators – Compensation

4.2.1      When the principal and vice-principal are unable to carry out their administrative duties for more than half a day, a teacher shall be designated as the acting principal.

4.2.1.1   A teacher appointed as acting principal shall receive an allowance equivalent to that of a vice-principal for each day the teacher is designated as the acting principal.

4.3          Teachers with Principal Designations

4.3.1      Effective September 1, 2017, a teacher designated as a principal shall enter into a series of term contracts for a period of up to five (5) years. Up to two (2) of these five years may be on a probationary basis. Following the term contract maximum of five (5) years, inclusive of the maximum two (2) years probationary period, the School Jurisdiction must decide whether or not the designation will continue, and if it continues, it is deemed to be a continuing designation.

4.3.2      Any current principal who has had a term contract(s) for a term(s) of a total of less than five years on September 1, 2017 may continue under the term contract until the total number of years designated as a principal is five years. When the total length of the principal’s designation will be five years as of August 31, 2018, the School Jurisdiction must decide by April 30, 2018 whether or not the designation will continue in the 2018-19 school year, and if it continues, it is deemed to be a continuing designation.

4.3.3      For any current principal who is on a term contract(s) for a period of five years or more as of September 1, 2017, the School Jurisdiction must decide by January 31, 2018 whether or not the designation will continue, and if it continues, it is deemed to be a continuing designation. If the designation is not continued, it will expire at the conclusion of the term provided in the term contract, unless it is otherwise terminated in accordance with the express provisions of the term contract.

5.            SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

5.1          Rates of Pay

5.1.1      A substitute teacher means a teacher employed on a day-to-day basis.

5.1.2      The substitute teacher rate will be:

5.1.2.1   $207.06 per day inclusive of vacation pay

5.1.2.2   $103.53 payment for a half day inclusive of vacation pay

5.1.3      Substitute teacher rate will be adjusted on the same dates and by the same percentage increases as are applied to the salary grid.

5.1.4      If the substitute teacher is employed for more than a half day he/she shall be paid the full day rate.

5.1.5      When the assignment of a substitute teacher involves teaching before and after the noon intermission at the school, the substitute teacher shall be paid the full day rate specified in 5.1.2.1.

5.2          Commencement of Grid Rate

5.2.1      Payment shall be made at the daily rate for the first five consecutive school days.  On the sixth and subsequent days in the same school, where a substitute teacher continues to replace the same regular teacher, payment shall be made according to placement on the salary schedule effective the first day.

5.2.2      Effective September 1, 2017, the period of consecutive employment during the school year shall not be considered interrupted or non-consecutive, if a holiday, teachers’ convention, professional day or such other system-regulated breaks interrupt the substitute teacher’s continuity in the classroom.

5.3          Other Substitute Teacher Conditions

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

6.            PART TIME TEACHERS

6.1          FTE Definition: Effective September 1, 2017, part-time teacher FTE will be determined by the ratio of the teacher’s actual annual instructional time to the teacher instructional time of a full-time assignment in the teacher’s school. This FTE will be used to calculate the prorated portion of a teacher’s assignable time.

6.2          Part-time Teachers Benefits and Proration

6.2.1      Benefits for part time staff and job share staff shall be prorated according to their percentage of full time equivalency:

6.2.1.1   ASEBP Extended Disability— Plan D1

6.2.1.2   ASEBP Life and Accidental Dismemberment—Plan 2A

6.2.1.3   ASEBP Dental Plan—Plan 3C

6.2.1.4   ASEBP Extended Health Care—Plan 1

6.2.1.5   ASEBP Vision Plan 3

6.2.1.6   Alberta Health Care

6.2.2      The balance of the premiums shall be deducted from the monthly salary of the participating teachers.

7.            GROUP BENEFITS

7.1          Group Health Benefit Plans, Carrier and Premiums

7.1.1      The School Jurisdiction shall pay 100 percent of the monthly premiums of the following plans in which a teacher is enrolled:

7.1.1.1   Alberta School Employee Benefits Plan (ASEBP) Extended Disability— Plan D1

7.1.1.2   ASEBP Life and Accidental Dismemberment—Plan 2A

7.1.1.3   ASEBP Dental Plan—Plan 3C

7.1.1.4   ASEBP Extended Health Care—Plan 1

7.1.1.5   ASEBP Vision Plan 3

7.1.1.6   Alberta Health Care

7.2          Group Benefits Eligibility

7.2.1      Subject to the provisions of the master policies, all teachers appointed to the staff of the School Jurisdiction, after the signing of this collective agreement, shall be required to enroll in the ASEBP.  All teachers enrolled in the ASEBP on the signing date of this agreement shall continue to be enrolled in the plan. A teacher may be exempted from participation in the ASEBP and the Alberta Health Care Plan where they receive coverage through the spouse.

7.3          Health Spending Account

7.3.1      For the purpose of this Clause, Eligible Teachers are defined as: Those teachers on a continuing, probationary, or temporary contract of at least five (5) months duration.

7.3.2      On September 1 of each year, the School Jurisdiction will provide a Health Spending Account for all eligible teachers. This Health Spending Account will adhere to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) requirements and will be in the amount of $500.00 annually, prorated to an Employee’s FTE. The unused balance will be carried forward to the extent permitted by CRA.

Notwithstanding the above, no HSA credits will be contributed for teachers who are in receipt of extended disability benefits (EDB), in receipt of a pension under the Alberta Teachers Retirement Fund, or on leaves of absence of 30 days duration or more.

Teachers leaving the employ of the School Jurisdiction for any reason will forfeit any remaining balance.

7.4          Other Group Benefits

7.4.1      Payments made towards benefit plans by the School Jurisdiction shall permit the School Jurisdiction to retain and not pass on to teachers any rebates of premiums otherwise required under Canada Employment and Immigration Commission Regulations.

7.4.2      Teacher Retirement Incentive Plan: The School Jurisdiction shall maintain a Teacher Retirement Incentive plan as per policy.

8.            CONDITIONS OF PRACTICE

8.1          Teacher Instructional and Assignable Time

8.1.1      Effective September 1, 2017, teacher instructional time will be capped at 907 hours per school year commencing the 2017-18 school year.

8.1.2      Effective September 1, 2017, teacher assignable time will be capped at 1200 hours per school year commencing the 2017-18 school year.

8.2          Assignable Time Definition

8.2.1      Assigned Time is defined as the amount of time that School Jurisdictions assign teachers and within which they require teachers to fulfill various professional duties and responsibilities including but not limited to:

a)            operational days (including teachers’ convention)
b)            instruction
c)            supervision, including before and after classes, transition time between classes, recesses and lunch breaks
d)            parent teacher interviews and meetings
e)            School Jurisdiction and school directed professional development, time assigned to teacher professional development, and travel as defined in Clause 8.2.3
f)             staff meetings
g)            time assigned before and at the end of the school day
h)            other activities that are specified by the School Jurisdiction to occur at a particular time and place within a reasonable work day.

8.2.2      Teachers have professional obligations under the School Act and regulations made pursuant to the School Act, as well as the Teaching Quality Standard, which may extend beyond what is assigned by School Jurisdictions. Teachers have discretion, to be exercised reasonably, as to when they carry out their professional responsibilities that extend beyond their assigned time.

8.2.3      Time spent traveling to and from professional development opportunities identified in 8.2.1 (e) will not be considered in the calculation of a teacher’s assignable time if:

a)            the teacher is being provided any other pay, allowances or a per diem for that travel time (excluding any compensation provided for mileage).
b)            the actual distance required to travel for the purposes of such professional development does not exceed the teachers’ regular commute to their regular place of work by more than eighty (80) kilometers. In such instances, assignable time will be calculated as one quarter (1/4) of an hour for every twenty (20) kilometers traveled in excess of the eighty (80) kilometer threshold.
c)            the time is spent traveling to and from the teacher’s annual convention.

8.3          Other Conditions of Practice

8.3.1      General: Teachers shall be assigned for not more than 200 days in any school year. Any teacher who is in receipt of the administrative allowance as provided in article 4, shall accept the responsibility for having the school unit operational on the commencement day of each school term, semester or other division of the school year.

8.3.2      Noon-Hour Supervision: A school staff may implement a noon-hour supervision program on a non-profit or cost recovery basis.

8.3.3      Home Schooling

8.3.3.1   Home schooling students are those students registered with the Home Schooling Program established by the School Jurisdiction.

8.3.3.2   A teacher providing instruction in a classroom setting other than school of Hope and Vermilion Home School shall not have home schooling students assigned unless the teacher agrees.

8.4          Extracurricular

8.4.1      Teacher participation in extracurricular activities is strictly voluntary.

8.5          School Calendar

8.5.1      Teachers will be assigned one Professional Development Day, in the school calendar, for the purpose of working on their Professional Growth Plan.

9.            PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

9.1          Teacher Professional Growth Plan

9.1.1      Teacher Professional Growth Plans will consider but will not be required to include the School Jurisdiction’s goals.

9.1.2      The teacher professional growth process, including discussions between the teacher and principal on the professional growth plans, will continue to take place.

9.1.3      School Jurisdictions and/or schools are not restricted in developing their own staff development plan in which the School Jurisdiction and/or school may require teachers to participate.

9.2          Professional Improvement Leave

9.2.1      After five years of continuous service with the School Jurisdiction, a teacher may be granted Professional Improvement Leave for the purpose of improving his/her education training.

9.2.1.1   The teacher shall be required to return to the employ of the School Jurisdiction for a period of three years after completing the Professional Improvement Leave.

9.2.2      A teacher on Professional Improvement Leave shall receive an annual salary of 50 percent of their salary at time of leave.

9.2.2.1   A teacher who resigns from service of the School Jurisdiction before completing the required three year period of service following such leave, shall repay the Professional Improvement Leave salary on a prorated basis.

9.2.2.2   Should a teacher fail to return to the employ of the School Jurisdiction following Professional Improvement Leave, the teacher shall repay the Professional Improvement Leave salary.

9.2.3      A teacher who takes Professional Improvement Leave of absence shall retain his/her years of service and position. Upon resumption of duties, the teacher shall be returned to a position no less favourable than the one the teacher held before the leave was taken; where reduction of staff is required the teacher resumes his/her status in relation to the staff as a whole.

9.2.4      Written application for a Professional Improvement Leave of absence must be made by a teacher before February 1 prior to the school year for which such Professional Improvement Leave is requested.

9.2.5      If application is made, the School Jurisdiction may grant one Professional Improvement Leave per year, and may in its discretion, grant more than one. Preference shall be given to years of service.

9.3          Payment of Non-Credit and Credit Courses

9.3.1      The School Jurisdiction agrees to pay the sum of the course expenses incurred by the teacher for courses taken at the request of the School Jurisdiction. Travel, living expenses, or per diem will be paid at the discretion of the School Jurisdiction.

9.3.2      Tuition fees for post-secondary courses of a religious or theological nature shall be reimbursed on proof of successful completion of the course.  Application procedures must be made in accordance with Administrative Procedure 441.  The School Jurisdiction is not required to reimburse a teacher for more than one course every two school years.

10.          SICK LEAVE / Medical Certificates and Reporting

10.1        Sick leave, with pay, shall be granted to a teacher for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment or because of accident, sickness or disability, in accordance with the following schedule:

10.1.1    20 school days upon commencement of employment.

10.1.2    90 calendar days after one year of employment

10.2        After 90 calendar days of continuous absence due to disability the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan shall take effect.

10.3        Whereas a teacher is off due to sickness or on disability for more than three (3) days, the School Jurisdiction may require medical certificates at regular intervals.

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

10.5        In case of prolonged sick leave with pay, the School Jurisdiction may require, at its expense, a certificate from a medical or dental practitioner designated by the School Jurisdiction.

10.6        Where a teacher has suffered an illness and/or has been paid under the provisions of the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan, upon their return to full-time duty, they shall be entitled to sick leave under the provision of clause 10.1.

10.7        When a teacher leaves the employ of the School Jurisdiction all accumulated sick leave shall be cancelled.

10.8        Notwithstanding 10.7 in the case of a teacher who has five (5) or more years of service with the School Jurisdiction and re-enters its employ, the sick leave accumulated under clause 10.1 during the period of employment with the School Jurisdiction shall be reinstated, provided that the teacher re-enters within a period of two years.

10.9        If a teacher has been absent on extended disability, the teacher shall, prior to resumption of duties, provide medical certification of ability to return to work on a continuing basis.

11.          MATERNITY, ADOPTION AND PARENTAL LEAVE

11.1        Maternity Leave/Parental Leave/Adoption Leave

11.1.1    Teachers are entitled to maternity leave without salary and benefits for a period not exceeding 18 weeks.

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

11.1.1.2     The School Jurisdiction will register and implement a 95 percent supplementary unemployment benefits plan which teachers shall access for pay during the health related portion of the leave.

11.1.2       Teachers are entitled to adoption leave without salary and benefits for a period not exceeding one year.

11.1.2.1    When possible, a teacher will notify the School Jurisdiction of the leave requirements three months in advance of the first day of the leave.

11.1.3      A teacher who wishes to resume employment upon the expiration of maternity leave or adoption leave (clause 11.1.2) to which they are entitled, shall give the School Jurisdiction two weeks notice in writing of the day on which they intend to resume employment and the School Jurisdiction shall:

11.1.3.1     reinstate the teacher in the position occupied at the time of maternity or adoption leave commenced; or

11.1.3.2      provide the teacher with alternative work of a comparable nature, at not less than the same wages, entitlements and other benefits that had accrued to the teacher to the date that the teacher commenced maternity or adoption leave.

11.1.4      In addition to maternity leave, each teacher shall be eligible for parental leave without pay and benefits for up to 34 weeks provided such is continuous and complete within 52 weeks after the child’s birth.  During the 34 week period, each teacher shall be eligible to maintain his/her benefit insurance coverage provided he/she pays 100 percent of the premiums.  The teacher must give the School Jurisdiction at least four weeks written notice of the date which the employee intends to resume work.

11.1.4.1        If both parents are School Jurisdiction employees, the parental leave may be accessed entirely by one of the parents or shared between the parents.  However, the School Jurisdiction is not required to grant parental leave to more than one employee at a time.

11.2        Benefits – Prepayment or Repayment of Premiums During Unpaid Portion of Leave

11.2.1    Teachers may prepay or repay benefit premiums payable during the duration of a maternity, adoption or parental leave.

11.2.2    Subject to the terms and conditions of the benefits insurance carrier policies, teachers on maternity, adoption or parental leave may make arrangements through the School Jurisdiction to prepay 100 per cent of the benefit premiums for applicable benefits provided for in the existing collective agreement, for a period of up to 12 months.

11.2.3    Notwithstanding Clause 11.2.2, subject to the terms and conditions of the benefits insurance carrier policies, upon request by the teacher, the School Jurisdiction will continue paying the School Jurisdiction portion of the benefit costs for a teacher on maternity, adoption or parental leave, for a period of up to twelve months, provided the teacher repays the teacher portion of the benefit premiums.

11.2.4    A teacher who commits to Clause 11.2.3 is responsible to repay the amount of the School Jurisdiction paid benefit premiums, and shall reimburse the School Jurisdiction upon return from the leave, in a mutually agreeable, reasonable manner over the period of no more than twelve months following the teacher’s return to duty.

11.2.5    If a teacher fails to return to his/her teaching duties, the teacher shall be responsible to forthwith repay the School Jurisdiction paid benefit premiums, and shall reimburse the School Jurisdiction upon receipt of an invoice.

11.2.6    If a teacher has not fully repaid the cost of benefit premiums previously paid by the School Jurisdiction under Clause 11.2.3 the teacher is not eligible to reapply for additional consideration under Clause 11.2.3.

12.          PRIVATE BUSINESS/GENERAL/PERSONAL LEAVES OF ABSENCE

12.1        A teacher shall be granted two paid personal days each school year in accordance with the provisions of this section.

12.2        Teachers may accumulate unused personal days up to a maximum of five days in total and take such leave for personal purposes. Any unused accumulated leave may be carried forward for further accumulation up to the five day total maximum.

12.3        Personal leave shall be taken in consultation with the School Jurisdiction’s designate and where possible, two weeks’ notice shall be provided.

12.4        No more than five days personal leave may be taken in any school year.

12.5        Non cumulative personal leave days shall be accessed first.

12.6        Leave is subject to operational considerations of the school and will not be unreasonably denied.

12.7        Personal leave under this clause shall be prorated for part time teachers based on FTE.

13.          ASSOCIATION LEAVE AND SECONDMENT

13.1        A teacher shall be granted leave of absence with pay provided the School Jurisdiction is reimbursed by the Association for the actual costs of the substitute, including the School Jurisdiction portion of statutory benefit contributions, to fulfill the duties as an elected or appointed member of the Provincial Executive Council, Discipline and Practice Review Committees, and central and local table negotiating committees.

13.2        Upon written request to the superintendent or designate, the School Jurisdiction may consider additional Association Leave. The written request shall be provided with as much notice as possible and, where possible, not less than five (5) working days in advance of the leave, stating the teacher’s name, and the date(s) and time(s) the teacher will be absent from their professional duties with the School Jurisdiction. The Association will reimburse the School Jurisdiction as per Clause 13.1. Such leaves will not be unreasonably denied.

13.3        Where the Association requests a secondment for a teacher who is elected to Provincial Executive Council, as the President of a local, or other local official already named in the collective agreement, the teacher shall be seconded on a scheduled basis up to a maximum of the teacher’s FTE provided that the amount of FTE the teacher is seconded is mutually agreed to by the School Jurisdiction, the teacher, and the Association and is at no cost to the School Jurisdiction.

13.4        During such secondment, the School Jurisdiction shall maintain the teacher’s regular salary, applicable allowances, and any benefit contributions required by the collective agreement and make the statutory contributions on the teacher’s behalf. The Association shall reimburse the School Jurisdiction for all payments made by the School Jurisdiction to the teacher or on his/her behalf while on secondment under this clause.

14.          OTHER LEAVES

14.1        Bereavement Leave

14.1.1    A teacher is entitled to bereavement leave with salary and benefits for not more than five days for each occurrence because of the death of a spouse, child, parent of teacher or spouse, brother, sister, or a relative who is a member of the teacher's household, and up to five (5) additional days at full salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher.

14.1.2    A teacher is entitled to bereavement leave with salary and benefits for not more than three days for each occurrence because of the death of a grandparent of teacher or spouse, grandchild, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, or to act as a pallbearer, and up to five (5) additional days at full salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher.

14.1.3    A teacher is entitled to bereavement leave with salary and benefits for not more than one (1) day for each occurrence because of the death of an aunt or uncle of teacher or spouse, niece, nephew, godparent of teacher or spouse, godparent of child and up to two (2) additional days at full salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher.

14.1.4    A teacher is entitled to bereavement leave with salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher for not more than two (2) days for each occurrence because of the death of a friend.

14.1.5    Bereavement leave under this article shall be prorated for part time teachers based on FTE.

14.2        Critical Illness Leave

14.2.1    A teacher is entitled to critical illness leave with salary and benefits for not more than five (5) days for each occurrence because of the critical illness of a spouse, child, parent of teacher or spouse, brother, sister, or a relative who is a member of the teacher's household, and up to five (5) additional days at full salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher.

14.2.2    A teacher is entitled to critical illness leave with salary and benefits for not more than three (3) days for each occurrence because of the critical illness of a grandparent of teacher or spouse, grandchild, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, or to act as a pallbearer, and up to five (5) additional days at full salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher.

14.2.3    A teacher is entitled to critical illness leave with salary and benefits for not more than one (1) day for each occurrence because of the critical illness of an aunt or uncle of teacher or spouse, niece, nephew, godparent of teacher or spouse, godparent of child and up to two (2) additional days at full salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher.

14.2.4    A teacher is entitled to critical illness leave with salary and benefits less the cost of a substitute teacher for not more than two days for each occurrence because of the critical illness of a friend.

14.2.5    Critical illness leave under this article shall be prorated for part time teachers based on FTE.

14.3        Family Medical Needs Leave

14.3.1    Teacher is entitled to a maximum of four (4) days of leave during a school year to attend to the medical needs of a parent, child or spouse. Such leave shall be at full pay and benefits.

14.3.2    A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident or sickness with regard to a parent, spouse or child, may be required to present to the School Jurisdiction a signed statement giving reason for such absence upon return to teaching duties.

14.3.3    The School Jurisdiction may grant family medical needs leave, with pay, for the treatment of immediate family illness or injury that is considered an emergency or is the result of a local doctor’s referral.

14.3.4    Family medical needs leave under this article shall be prorated for part time teachers based on FTE.

14.4        Leave for Child’s Arrival

14.4.1    A parent shall be entitled to one (1) day leave with pay to attend the birth of their child.

14.5        Convocation Leave

14.5.1    A teacher is entitled to leave of absence with pay and applicable benefits for one (1) day for each, convocation of the teacher and for the writing of an examination related to the teacher’s academic studies provided that the convocation or the examination falls on a school day. Where possible, a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days notice shall be given to the superintendent.

14.6        Jury Duty or Subpoena

Leave of absence without loss of salary and benefits shall be granted

14.6.1    for jury duty or any subpoena related thereto:

14.6.2    to answer a subpoena to attend as a witness in any proceeding, except against the employee or an employee's defense against the School Jurisdiction, authorized by law to compel the attendance of witnesses, provided that the teacher remits to the School Jurisdiction any witness fee or jury stipend (excluding allowances and/or expenses) set by the Court or other body.

14.7        Weather, Road Conditions, Transportation Failure Leave

14.7.1    A teacher who, despite reasonable effort, is unable to travel to school because of inclement weather, impassable road conditions, or the failure of transportation facilities other than the teacher’s own, is entitled to full salary and benefits for the period of absence.

14.8        Discretionary Leave

14.8.1    Additional leaves of absence may be granted by the School Jurisdiction on application, with or without pay.

14.9        Deferred Salary Leave

14.9.1    The School Jurisdiction shall maintain a Deferred Salary Leave Plan as per policy.

15.          CENTRAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

15.1        This procedure applies to differences:

a)            about the interpretation, application, operation or alleged violation of any central item including the question of whether such difference is arbitrable;
b)            about the interpretation, application or alleged violation of both a central item and a non-central item including the question of whether such a difference is arbitrable; and
c)            where the Association asserts that terms are implied or incorporated into the collective agreement including the question of whether such a difference is arbitrable.

15.2        “Central item” means any item which is in italics in this collective agreement.

15.3        A “non-central item” means any item which is not in italics in this collective agreement.

15.4        An “operational” day is an instructional or non-instructional day in the School Jurisdiction calendar on which teachers are scheduled to work.

15.5        If there is a dispute about whether a grievance commenced under this article is properly a grievance on a central item, it shall be processed under this article unless TEBA and the Association mutually agree that the difference, or a portion of the difference, shall be referred to the local grievance procedure in Article 16.

15.6        Either TEBA or the Association may initiate a grievance by serving a written notice of a difference as follows:

a)            In the case of a grievance by the Association, by serving the notice to the Chair of the Board of Directors of TEBA.
b)            In the case of a grievance by TEBA, by serving the notice to the Coordinator of Teacher Welfare of the Association.

15.7        The written notice shall contain the following:

a)            A statement of the facts giving rise to the difference,
b)            The central item or items relevant to the difference,
c)            The central item or items and the non-central item or items, where the difference involves both, and
d)            The remedy requested.

15.8        The written notice must be served on the other party to the difference within 30 operational days of when the grieving party first had knowledge of the facts giving rise to the grievance. For the purposes of this article, the months of July and August shall not be included in the computation of the 30 operational days.

15.9        Representatives of TEBA and the Association shall meet within 15 operational days to discuss the difference or at such later date that is mutually agreeable to the parties. By mutual agreement of TEBA and the Association, representatives of the School Jurisdiction affected by the difference may be invited to participate in the discussion about the difference.

15.10     The difference may be resolved through terms mutually agreed upon by TEBA and the Association. Any resolution is binding on TEBA, the Association, the affected School Jurisdiction, and any affected teacher or teachers.

15.11     If the difference is not resolved, the grieving party may advance the difference to arbitration by notice to the other party within 15 operational days of the meeting.

15.12     (a) Each party shall appoint one member as its representative on the Arbitration Board within 15 operational days of such notice and shall so inform the other party of its appointee. The two members so appointed shall, within 15 operational days of the appointment of the second of them appoint a third person who shall be the Chair. In the event of any failure to appoint or an inability to agree on the person to serve as the Chair, either party may request in writing that the Director of Mediation Services make the necessary appointment.

(b)TEBA and the Association may, by mutual agreement, agree to proceed with an Arbitration Board composed of a single arbitrator rather than a three-person Arbitration Board. In this event TEBA and the Association shall within 15 operational days of the agreement to proceed with a single arbitrator appoint a person to serve as the single arbitrator. In the event of any failure to agree on the person to serve as the single arbitrator, either party may request in writing that the Director of Mediation Services make the necessary appointment.

15.13     The Arbitration Board shall determine its own procedure but shall give full opportunity to TEBA and the Association to present evidence and to be heard.

15.14     The Arbitration Board shall make any order it considers appropriate. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an Arbitration Board may order that:

a)            An affected School Jurisdiction rectify any failure to comply with the collective agreement.
b)            An affected School Jurisdiction pay damages to the Association, affected teacher or teachers, or both.
c)            TEBA and the Association take actions considered fair and reasonable by the Arbitration Board.

15.15     The award of the Arbitration Board is binding on:

a)            TEBA and the Association.
b)            Any affected School Jurisdiction.
c)            Teachers covered by the collective agreement who are affected by the award.

15.16     TEBA and the Association shall bear the expense of its respective appointee and the two parties shall bear equally the expense of the Chair.

16.          LOCAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

16.1        The parties agree to the following dispute resolution process in order to resolve differences arising between any teacher covered by this agreement and the School Jurisdiction, or in a proper case between the Association and the School Jurisdiction as to the interpretation, application, operation or contravention, or alleged contravention of any local condition of this Agreement or as to whether such difference can be the subject of arbitration, the Association shall have the right to present a grievance.

16.2        If at any time the parties agree that the alleged violation is of a central nature, the grievance procedure shall be transferred to the central grievance procedure and the central grievance procedure timelines shall be adhered to. If the alleged violation is initiated as a central nature and then defined as a local grievance, the central grievance shall be transferred to the local grievance procedure and the local grievance procedure timelines shall be adhered to.

16.3        The grievance procedure time limits may be extended at any stage by mutual agreement by the parties.

16.4        It is understood that should a satisfactory disposition of the grievance not be reached at any step of the grievance procedure within the allotted times, the School Jurisdiction, the teacher, or the Association may proceed to the next step.

16.5        A Teacher shall have the right to be accompanied by and/or represented by an Association Representative at any meeting described in this article.

16.6        If the griever fails to meet deadlines the grievance shall be deemed to be at an end.

16.7        Nothing in the grievance procedure precludes the parties from agreeing to informally resolve the matter.

16.8        The local grievance shall be dealt with as follows:

16.9        Step 1 – Discussion

16.9.1    The Teacher, with or without representation, or in the proper case the Association, shall attempt to resolve any dispute through written discussion with the Deputy Superintendent, or designate.

16.10     Step 2 – Written Presentation

16.10.1  If the dispute is not settled in Step 1, all such grievances shall be submitted to the Superintendent, or designate, within thirty (30) operational days from the date on which the teacher became aware of its occurrence.

16.10.2  All grievances must be presented in writing, and

16.10.2.1              shall set out the nature of the dispute,

16.10.2.2              the article(s) of the Agreement that has been allegedly violated, and

16.10.2.3              the remedy sought.

16.11     Step 3 – Meeting

16.11.1  The Teacher and/or their representative and the Superintendent, or designate agree to meet and endeavour to resolve the difference. The parties agree to share relevant information to the dispute. This meeting shall be scheduled within ten (10) operational days from the date the written grievance was received by the Superintendent, or designate.

16.12     Step 4 – Written Reply

16.12.1  The Superintendent, or designate shall provide a written reply to the Teacher within ten (10) operational days of the date of the meeting.

16.12.2  If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute, either party may notify the other in writing of its desire to submit the difference to arbitration.

16.13     Step 5 – Non-Binding Mediation

16.13.1  If the parties agree to Mediation, a mediator shall meet with the parties to assist the parties in reaching a resolution of the dispute.

16.13.2  The grievance may be resolved by mutual agreement between the parties. The parties may request that the Mediator issue a report including non-binding recommendations.

16.13.3  The expenses of the Mediator shall be borne equally by both parties.

16.14     Step 6 – Arbitration

16.14.1  If the grievance is not settled at Step 4 or Step 5, the School Jurisdiction or the Association, may, within the 30 calendar days following receipt of the written decision of the Superintendent, or designate at the conclusion of Step 4 or Step 5, refer the matter to Arbitration as per the Alberta Labour Relations Code, as amended from time to time.

16.14.2  If the grievance is not taken to arbitration as herein provided within the 30 calendar day period, the grievance shall be deemed to be at an end.

16.14.3  The Association and the School Jurisdiction may, by mutual agreement, agree to proceed with a single arbitrator or a three person Arbitration Board.

16.14.4  The single arbitrator shall be appointed and the proceedings carried on as described in section 136 and 137 of the Labour Relations Code, as amended from time to time. If the parties are unable to agree on a person to act as the single arbitrator, either party may request the Director of Mediation Services in writing to appoint a single arbitrator. The parties agree to share equally the expenses of the arbitrator. The three person arbitration board shall be selected as described in section 138 of the Labour Relations Code, as amended from time to time. Each party shall appoint one member as its representative on the arbitration board within fifteen (15) operational days of such notice. The two members so appointed will endeavour to select a chairperson. If the parties are unable to agree on a person to act as the chairperson, either party may request the Director of Mediation Services in writing to appoint a chairperson. The parties agree to bear the expenses of its respective appointee and to share equally the expenses of the chairperson.

16.14.5  The single arbitrator or three person arbitration board may, during the arbitration, proceed in the absence of any party or person who, after notice, fails to attend or fails to obtain an adjournment.

16.14.6  The single arbitrator or three person arbitration board shall not alter, amend or change the terms or conditions of the collective agreement. The arbitrator or three person arbitration board may interpret, apply and give relief in accordance with an enactment relating to employment matters notwithstanding any conflict between the enactment and the collective agreement.

16.15     Step 7 – Award

16.15.1  The single arbitrator or three person arbitration board shall issue an award in writing, and the award is final and binding on the parties and on every employee affected by it.

16.15.2  A decision of the majority of the members of an arbitration board is the decision of the arbitration board but, if there is no majority, the decision of the chair governs, and the chair's decision is deemed to be the award of the three person arbitration board.

17.          EMPLOYMENT

17.1        Voluntary Transfers

17.1.1    Teachers who wish to change grade and/or subject assignment and/or who desire a transfer to another school must file a written request with the superintendent prior to May 1, annually. Such request must include the subjects and/or grade levels desired and the school(s) to which the teacher seeks transfer.

17.1.2    Prior to and including the last day of the school year, when a vacancy occurs, a teacher who has filed a notice of intent to transfer for that type of assignment shall be interviewed. Should the teacher not be selected, the teacher may request a written explanation of the reason(s).

17.1.3    If the Administrator requests a transfer the affected administrator's new administrative allowance shall be paid at the rate prescribed in Article 4.

17.2        Involuntary Transfers

17.2.1    Involuntary transfers will occur only in the event of school closure or certificated staff reduction as per Administrative procedure 417 revised March 2014.

17.2.2    When the Superintendent requests a teacher transfer to a different school, the School Jurisdiction shall pay approved moving expenses, to a maximum of $2,000.00 incurred by the relocation.

17.2.3    When a teacher is transferred subsequent to the beginning of the school year, the teacher will be provided unassigned time to prepare for the new assignment. The amount of time will be by consensus between the two principals and the teacher. If there is no consensus, the Superintendent shall determine the amount of time, to be no less than one (1) day.

17.2.4    In the case that the Superintendent or designate transfers an administrator, the affected administrator’s administrative allowance shall not be reduced below their current administrative allowance for two (2) school years following the transfer or when the administrative allowance exceeds the old one.

17.3        School of Hope and Vermillion Home School

17.3.1    Moves under the School of Hope and Vermilion Home School will not be defined as a transfer but rather a relocation of employment within a school as the School of Hope is a virtual school.

17.3.2    In the event the School Jurisdiction needs to restructure the School of Hope and Vermilion Home School the School Jurisdiction will meet with the Association prior to any restructuring. The School Jurisdiction commits that it will try to not change location of a teacher's employment more than 75 km. If the relocation is more than 75 km, the School Jurisdiction will work with the teacher as to options available.

17.3.3    The School Jurisdiction shall pay approved moving expenses to a maximum of $2,000.00 for moving expenses incurred by the relocation.

17.4        Kilometrage

17.4.1    All teachers will be paid kilometrage, at the School Jurisdiction rate, when an Employee is on authorized School Division Business and have received prior approval by Superintendent or designate to use their own vehicle.

New Letter of Understanding #1 – Trial Program on Time Off for Compression

1.1          This Letter of Understanding is made pursuant to Article 8 of the collective agreement (Conditions of Practice). The parties agree that where teacher instructional time is compressed and where current collective agreements are silent, teachers will receive time off in relation to the additional time worked as provided for in the chart below. Days will be rounded to the nearest 0.25 for this calculation. It is recognized by both parties that flexibility is required to maintain the calendar for the School Jurisdiction but also provide assurance for teachers that increases in the length of instructional days may result in associated time off for teachers.

1.2          For the purpose of this collective agreement and notwithstanding the provisions of the School Act, Teachers’ Convention is counted as a non-instructional day.

1.3          The trial program will take place during the 2017-18 school year and expires on August 31, 2018, notwithstanding that the collective agreement is bridged by operation of law.

New Letter of Understanding # 2 – Me Too Clause/Increase Modifier

1.            For the purposes of this Letter of Understanding only, the following definitions apply:

1.1          “comparator agreement” means the provincial collective agreements listed below for the period commencing April 1, 2017:

•             Government of Alberta and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees respecting the Locals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12
•             Alberta Health Services and United Nurses of Alberta
•             Alberta Health Services and the Health Sciences Association of Alberta
•             Alberta Health Services and Alberta Union of Provincial Employees – Auxiliary Nursing
•             Alberta Health Services and Alberta Union of Provincial Employees – General Support Services

1.2          “first year” means with respect to a comparator agreement the period from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.

1.3          “second year” means with respect to a comparator agreement the period from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

1.4          “general salary increase” means a salary increase percentage applied to all steps of all grids of a comparator agreement.

1.5          For greater certainty, “general salary increase” does not include market supplements or adjustments, grid adjustments, signing bonuses, reclassifications, changes to benefit premium cost sharing, new benefits or any other form of compensation whatsoever other than a common percentage increase applied to all steps of all grids applicable to each bargaining unit. It includes only such general salary increases negotiated, prior to a strike or lockout, and does not include any increases resulting from a voluntary interest arbitration award, a disputes inquiry board recommendation, or a settlement during or following a strike or lockout.

1.6          “Lump sum payment” means a one-time payment, consistent with other one-time payments sometimes referred to as signing bonuses. “Lump sum payment” explicitly does not include the continuation or renewal of lump sum payments currently provided in existing comparator agreements between employers and unions listed in Clause 1.1 of this Letter of Understanding.

2.            If a general salary increase(s) for a comparator agreement in either the first year (September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017) or second year (September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018) exceeds 0%, the general salary increase(s) negotiated under that comparator agreement will be applied to the salary grid, administrative allowances and daily substitute teacher rate of pay of the collective agreements with the Association in the first year or the second year respectively, and effective the same date(s) as provided in the affected comparator agreement. If more than one general salary increase is negotiated for comparator agreements, the increases shall not be compounded across multiple comparator agreements, however, the total highest such general salary increase(s) in each year will be applied to the salary grid, administrative allowances and daily substitute teacher rate of pay.

3.            If a new lump sum payment(s) for a comparator agreement in either the first year (September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017) or second year (September 1, 2017 to August 31, 2018) is negotiated, the newly negotiated lump sum payment(s) negotiated under that comparator agreement will be applied to the collective agreements with the Association in the first year or the second year respectively, and effectivse the same date(s) as provided in the affected comparator agreement. If more than one newly negotiated lump sum payment is negotiated for comparator agreements, the lump sum payments shall not be compounded across multiple comparator agreements, however, the total highest of such lump sum payment(s) in each year will be applied to the salary grid, administrative allowances and daily substitute teacher rate of pay.

4.            This Letter of Understanding expires on August 31, 2018 and will not be extended beyond that date notwithstanding that the collective agreement is bridged by operation of law. This Letter of Understanding will not apply to a general salary increase or lump sum payment for a comparator agreement negotiated to be effective after August 31, 2018.

New Letter of Understanding #3 – Classroom Improvement Fund (CIF) Grant Program

1.            Each School Jurisdiction will establish a committee to support the CIF grant program. CIF committees will be composed of equal number of School Jurisdiction representatives, appointed by the School Jurisdiction or designate, and teacher representatives, appointed by the Association. Teacher representatives must be employed by the School Jurisdiction. CIF committees will have a minimum of six (6) and maximum of ten (10) equal representatives total. CIF committee may meet as viewed necessary, but shall meet at least once in the 2017-18 school year.

2.            CIF committees will be responsible for reviewing and prioritizing proposals and agreeing to the distribution of the CIF grant funds available for that School Jurisdiction. The committee will be responsible to prioritize proposals based on classroom needs and approve CIF allocation of resources up to the funds available for that School Jurisdiction.

3.            A majority of the CIF committee members must agree in order to advance a proposal for a CIF grant.

4.            The School Jurisdiction must forward agreed-upon CIF proposals to Alberta Education. The decisions of the CIF committee is not subject of a grievance under this collective agreement.

Letter of Understanding #4: Principal Lieu Days

Effective for Date of Ratification, School-Based Principals will be granted two (2) day(s), in lieu per school year, at a time mutually agreeable to the Principal and the Superintendent or Designate.

The paid days must be taken by May 31st, of the school year, or days will be forfeited and no payment shall be made in lieu. For any extension to the end of the school year, permission of the Superintendent or designate must be granted.

Should this provision be agreed to the Central table in the next round of bargaining, this Letter of Understanding shall become null and void.

Letter of Understanding #5: New Teacher Orientation Day

The School Jurisdiction agrees that if new teacher orientation occurs outside the operational school year the new teachers will be provided with a day in lieu and will have benefit coverage for the day.

Letter of Understanding #6: Substitute Teachers

The Parties agree that they will, over the next school year, review options available for an efficient method of calling Substitutes.

This may occur through meeting as a Committee to provide information sharing, including Central Funding, regarding the above.

This Letter of Understanding is not binding on either party.