The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This agreement made pursuant to the School Act and the Labour Relations Code .

Between the High Prairie School Division No 48 (hereinafter called the "Board") of the first part and the Alberta Teachers' Association, a body incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta (hereinafter called the "ATA") acting on behalf of the teachers employed by the Board of the second part,

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

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

Whereas the parties desire that these matters be set forth in agreement;

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH that the parties agree as follows:

1.00 Bargaining Unit

1.01 This agreement applies to all employees of the Board who, as a condition of employment, must possess a valid teaching certificate issued under the authority of Alberta Learning, herein collectively called "the teachers" or where the context requires "teacher".

1.02 Specifically exempt from this agreement shall be:

(a) superintendent
(b) deputy superintendent
(c) assistant superintendents
(d) one supervisor of instruction.

1.03 The basic salary, terms and conditions of teachers' employment with the Board are governed by this agreement and any statutory provision relating thereto.

2.00 Basic Salary Schedule

2.01 All salaries and allowances referred to herein are in respect to a school year, unless specifically stated otherwise.

2.02 The number of years of teacher education and teaching experience, computed according to this agreement, shall together determine the basic annual salary rate for each teacher employed by the Board.

2.03 Tabulated below are the minimum and maximum basic salary rates and experience increments for each year of teacher education:

Effective September 1, 2001

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0	28,197	28,197	32,385	38,073	39,823	42,723
1	29,666	29,666	33,875	40,648	42,455	45,314
2	31,134	31,134	35,366	43,223	45,087	47,906
3	32,603	32,603	36,856	45,798	47,718	50,497
4	34,071	34,071	38,347	48,373	50,350	53,089
5	35,538	35,538	39,837	50,947	52,981	55,681
6	37,007	37,007	41,328	53,522	55,613	58,271
7	38,475	38,475	42,819	56,097	58,244	60,863
8	39,944	39,944	44,309	58,671	60,875	63,455
9	41,412	41,412	45,800	61,246	63,507	66,046
10	42,880	42,880	47,290	63,821	66,138	68,638

Effective July 1, 2002

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0	29,325	29,325	33,680	39,596	41,416	44,432
1	30,853	30,853	35,230	42,274	44,153	47,127
2	32,379	32,379	36,781	44,952	46,890	49,822
3	33,907	33,907	38,330	47,630	49,627	52,517
4	35,434	35,434	39,881	50,308	52,364	55,213
5	36,960	36,960	41,430	52,985	55,100	57,908
6	38,487	38,487	42,981	55,663	57,838	60,602
7	40,014	40,014	44,532	58,341	60,574	63,298
8	41,542	41,542	46,081	61,018	63,310	65,993
9	43,068	43,068	47,632	63,696	66,047	68,688
10	44,595	44,595	49,182	66,374	68,784	71,384

Effective September 1, 2002

	One	Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0/1	30,972	30,972	35,366	42,437	44,323	47,309
2	32,504	32,504	36,923	45,125	47,071	50,014
3	34,038	34,038	38,478	47,814	49,818	52,720
4	35,571	35,571	40,035	50,502	52,566	55,426
5	37,103	37,103	41,590	53,189	55,313	58,131
6	38,635	38,635	43,147	55,878	58,061	60,836
7	40,168	40,168	44,704	58,566	60,808	63,542
8	41,702	41,702	46,259	61,253	63,554	66,248
9	43,234	43,234	47,816	63,942	66,302	68,953
10	44,767	44,767	49,372	66,630	69,049	71,659

3.01 In addition to the basic salary schedule, allowances shall be paid in accordance with the following rates:

3.01.01 Principal's Allowance

Effective September 1, 2001

- $7,000 for the first FTE teacher plus

- $651 for the next eight FTE teachers plus

- $430 for the next 10 FTE teachers plus

- $233 per FTE teacher thereafter to a maximum of $20,000.

3.01.02 Assistant Principal's Allowance

The assistant principal's allowance shall be 1/2 of the principal's allowance payable to the principal.

The teacher count for establishing the assistant principal's allowance shall be exclusive of the assistant principal.

Where there is more than one assistant principal, each assistant principal shall be paid at 1/2 of the rate of the principal's allowance for the teachers assigned to their area of responsibility.

3.01.03 In the absence of a principal, an assistant principal shall be designated by the superintendent to serve as acting principal. If he/she so serves for a period of six or more consecutive school days, he/she shall receive an allowance equivalent to 1/200 of the principal's allowance for each school day of the period during which he/she is so designated.

3.01.04 In the absence of the principal and assistant principal(s), if applicable, for more than one school day a teacher shall be designated by the Board to serve as acting principal. He/she shall receive an allowance equivalent to 1/200 of the principal's allowance for each day of the period during which he/she is so designated.

4.00 Experience Increments

4.01 For salary purposes, an experience increment shall be any school year in which a teacher has taught for 130 days or more. A teacher who taught for 80 days, but less than 130 days in a school year, shall accumulate 1/2 experience increment, but no salary adjustment shall be made until a full experience increment has been accumulated within a consecutive three year period.

4.02 The adjustment date for changes in the number of experience increments shall be at the first day of school of each school year or February 1.

4.03 It shall be the responsibility of every teacher to furnish his/her Board with satisfactory evidence of past experience within 60 calendar days of the commencement of teaching duties. Satisfactory evidence shall be defined as supporting documents from previous employing Boards or a statutory declaration provided by the teacher on a form provided by his/her Board.

4.04 Notwithstanding clause 4.03, if no satisfactory evidence is submitted within 60 calendar days of the commencement of duties, salary will be adjusted, effective the beginning of the month following such submission.

4.05 Substitute teaching shall be considered as teaching experience.

5.00 Teacher Education

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

5.02 Placement on the salary schedule shall be according to the number of years of teacher education on the first day of school of each school year or on February 1, or when employment commences at a subsequent date, to the date of commencement of employment.

5.03 Until the teacher submits a statement of TQS evaluation or proof of application for same, he/she shall be placed on the salary schedule according to the most recent TQS evaluation. In the event that a TQS evaluation or proof of application for same is not available, the teacher shall be paid at not more than year three of the grid.

5.04 Each teacher claiming additional teacher education and each teacher commencing employment with the Board shall supply a statement of qualifications from the TQS, or evidence of having applied for the same to the Board within 60 calendar days from commencement of the school year or from the date of commencement of employment.

5.05 When a statement of qualifications of TQS evaluation is submitted as provided under clause 5.04, the teacher's salary shall be adjusted retroactively to the first day of school of the school year or February 1, or when employment commenced at a subsequent date, to the date of commencement of employment.

5.06 If a statement of qualifications from the TQS or evidence of having applied for same is not submitted as provided under clause 5.04, salary shall be adjusted effective the beginning of the month following such submission.

5.07 Notwithstanding clause 5.05 and 5.06, no teacher's salary shall be adjusted unless a statement of qualifications from TQS is received on or before the last day of August of each school year.

6.00 Salary Payment

6.01 Salary payment shall be made on or before the second last banking day of each month except as provided under section 92(6) & (7) of the School Act.

6.02 Teachers, if they request the same in writing prior to May 15, shall receive their July pay on or before July 10.

6.03 Substitute Teachers

6.03.01 A substitute teacher is a teacher who is employed on a day to day or part-time basis where a contract of employment is not in effect.

6.03.02 Effective September 1, 2001, payment for substitute teachers shall be as follows:

(a) When the teacher provides service only during the morning instructional periods or only the afternoon instructional periods, the teacher shall be paid $69.12, inclusive of vacation pay.

(b) When the teacher provides service during both the morning and the afternoon instructional periods, the teacher shall be paid $138.23, inclusive of vacation pay and regardless of the number of periods taught.

Effective July 1, 2002, payment for substitute teachers shall be as follows:

(a) When the teacher provides service only during the morning instructional periods or only the afternoon instructional periods, the teacher shall be paid $71.88, inclusive of vacation pay.

(b) When the teacher provides service during both the morning and the afternoon instructional periods, the teacher shall be paid $143.76, inclusive of vacation pay and regardless of the number of periods taught.

6.03.03 Payment shall be made at the daily rate for the first four consecutive school days. On the fifth and subsequent day in the same school where the same substitute teacher continues to replace the same regular teacher, payment shall be made according to placement on the salary schedule and retroactive to the first day.

7.00 Educational Fund

7.01 The Board agrees to make an education fund equivalent to 80 percent of the fourth year minimum on the salary grid for the purpose of providing partial funding for teachers taking summer session courses for credit at an accredited university or taking courses for credit from an accredited university, which are related to their teaching assignments.

7.02 Teachers who are on a continuous contract with the Board may make application for funding under this article. Applications including proposed courses must be submitted to the superintendent of schools prior to registration. Applications will be approved on a "first come, first served" basis. No teacher shall be entitled to be reimbursed for more than three full time courses per year.

7.03 Upon proof of successful completion of on campus courses, the teacher shall be reimbursed $1,000 per full course or $500 per half course. (A full or half course shall be defined as being equivalent to a full (6 hours) or half (3 hours) course at the University of Alberta.) Proof of successful completion shall be official transcripts as provided by the university from which the course was taken. All claims not submitted within 12 months of completion of the course shall not be paid. Uncommitted funds remaining at the end of August of each year shall be transferred to the ATA/HPSD joint professional development fund.

8.00 Leave of Absence

8.01 A teacher is entitled to temporary leave of absence with pay for:

(a) Up to and including four days for leave necessitated by the death or critical illness of a spouse, son, daughter, parent, brother, sister, parents of spouse, brother or sister-in-law, grandparent or grandchild, grandparents of spouse or other relative who is a member of the teacher's household, or aunt or uncle. Up to an additional two days will be granted if the teacher is required to travel 800 or more kilometres one way to attend the funeral of one of the above named persons. For the purpose of this clause, critical illness shall mean where death of one of the above named persons is imminent, for which the Board may require a substantiating medical certificate, signed by a duly qualified medical practitioner.

(b) One day to attend convocation of the university at which the teacher is receiving a degree; one additional day for the purpose of travel will be granted where distance required to be travelled exceeds 500 km one way.

(c) Absence, despite reasonable effort, when the teacher is unable to travel to his school from his usual place of residence because of inclement weather, impassable road conditions or the failure of transportation facilities other than his own.

(d) Two days for family medical or dental appointments, that are out of town, provided that the teacher's accumulated number of sick leave credits, as granted by article 10, is reduced by a corresponding amount.

(e) For jury duty or summons related thereto provided that the teacher remits to the Board any jury stipend (excluding expenses) set by the court.

(f) To answer a subpoena or summons to attend as a witness in a criminal matter or as a result of the performance of their duties as a teacher. Leave shall be granted at full pay. The teacher shall remit to the Board any witness fee paid by the court to the teacher, exclusive of expenses.

(g) For the purpose of clause 8.01, a teacher's application for temporary leave of absence must first be made orally to the principal and documented at the end of the month in which the leave concludes on the form provided by the Board.

(h) Days where the Board closes the school for health and safety reasons or physical plant breakdown. The Board may require the school administrator(s) to remain on site during normal school hours during these closures.

Should a teacher fail to apply to the principal or to submit the required documentation within the time limit specified, the days absent shall be considered as leave without pay.

8.02 The school board shall pay for the cost of a substitute, if hired, for a teacher attending any inservice program sponsored by the school board.

8.03.01 Leave of absence for a minimum of 1/2 day for personal reasons may be granted by the superintendent for up to two days per school year. Effective September 1, 2000 leave shall be granted at full salary less $64.58 for each day of such leave. Requests for leave under this clause shall not be used to extend the Christmas break, spring recess, long weekends or summer vacation period. Unused leave may accumulate from year to year provided that the total leave available does not exceed four days in any school year. Part-time teachers are eligible for personal leave of up to two days at an amount, per day, equivalent to their part-time status. Teachers on term contracts are eligible for personal leave at a proration equivalent to the term their contract bears to the total school year multiplied by two.

8.03.02 Notwithstanding clause 8.03.01, a teacher may request personal leave to extend a long weekend, provided at least 10 calendar days advance written notice is given and a suitable substitute has been engaged to replace the teacher.

8.04 In addition to the foregoing, the Board, in its discretion, may grant leave of absence with or without pay and with or without Board contribution to benefits to a teacher applying for such leave.

9.00 Conditions of Service

9.01 Except as may be abridged by the terms hereof, the management of the school system and the staff is reserved and vested in the Board, with no implied obligation intended.

10.00 Sick Leave

10.01 This article shall supersede the provisions of section 92(1)(d) and section 92(2) of the School Act, RSA 1988, chapter S-3.1 as amended.

10.02 "Sickness" when used in this article shall mean necessary medical or dental treatment of the teacher or injury to, or illness or disability of the teacher which renders the teacher incapable of attending to work.

10.03 "School day" when used in this article shall mean a day on which instruction would have been given by a teacher and includes emergency school closures, school closures approved by the Minister, two days for teacher conventions, holidays declared by a Board and days other than instruction days that are approved by the Minister.

10.04 During employment under contract with the Board and prior to completion of one year of employment under a continuing contract of employment, a teacher shall earn sick leave credits in respect of each month of employment and the number of school days of such earned sick leave credits shall be equal to the result obtained by dividing by nine the number of school days in the month. Provided however, that in any event, the total number of sick leave credits earned by a teacher in any school year shall not exceed 20 days in the aggregate. Further, sick leave credits or any portion thereof may only be used when earned and credited. Sick leave credits shall be credited effective the first day of the month following the month in which the sick leave credits to be credited were earned. Upon commencement of employment with the Board, teachers shall be granted two days sick leave credit.

10.05 In the case of a teacher who has had previous service with the school board and re-enters its employment within 14 months of leaving, the sick leave accumulated under this article during the period of employment with the school board shall be reinstated to the credit of the teacher.

10.06 In order to establish and maintain eligibility for benefits under this article a teacher absent for more than three consecutive days shall provide a certificate signed by a qualified medical or dental practitioner and in addition, the teacher shall provide the principal with reasonable prior notice of any absence due to sickness. A teacher absent for three consecutive days or less due to illness or other disability must submit, within 10 days of return to work, a signed statement to his principal, giving the reason for the absence and (where applicable) the name and address of the medical (or dental) practitioner.

10.07 Application for ASEBP benefits shall be made as soon as there is medical evidence that the absence is of a long term nature.

10.08 Where an eligible teacher has unused sick leave credits the Board shall not reduce the gross salary of such teacher for absence from work on a school day due to sickness and for each day of absence the unused sick leave credits of the teacher shall be reduced by a corresponding day.

10.09 Upon active commencement of duties in the second consecutive school year of continuing employment under a contract of continuing employment with the Board, all unused sick leave credits shall be cancelled.

10.10 During the second and subsequent years of service, sick leave with full salary will be granted for sickness for a period of 90 calendar days. A teacher who has been absent due to sickness shall, upon return to full-time duties, be entitled to an additional sick leave benefit of 90 calendar days.

In the event of recurring sickness, only 90 calendar days sick leave will be available.

10.11 All teachers on staff prior to September 1, 1971 who opted out of ASEBP (Plan D, Schedule 2) shall accumulate sick leave to a maximum of 120 school days and shall not be eligible for 90 days continuous protection or any benefits under ASEBP. All accumulated sick leave shall terminate upon the termination of employment with the Board.

10.12 The employer agrees to administer maternity leave as per the guidelines of the Employment Standards Code. The Board will register and implement a 95 percent supplementary unemployment benefits plan which each teacher shall access for pay during the health-related portion of her maternity leave. The Board shall pay its portion to each teacher's benefit 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 benefits. SUB shall be payable for a maximum of 17 weeks or for the period covered by accumulated sick leave, whichever is less. The Board shall advise each teacher to apply for extended disability benefit at least 30 days in advance of her expected eligibility for such benefit. After 90 consecutive calendar days of disability the teacher shall apply for extended disability benefits and no further salary, benefit contributions or SUB shall be payable.

11.00 Group Insurance

11.01 (a) The Board agrees to pay 100 percent, per month, per full-time teacher, the cost of the premium to the following plans:

(i) ASEBP Extended Health Care Plan 1

(ii) ASEBP Extended Disability Benefit Plan D, Schedule 2

(iii) Alberta Health Care.

The premium contribution for a part-time teacher for 11.01 (a) (i) and (iii) shall be prorated in the proportion that his/her hours of work bear to the hours of work of a full-time teacher.

(b) If enrolment is satisfactory to the insurer, the Board agrees to pay 60 percent, per month (effective the month following the date of ratification by both parties) per full-time teacher the cost of the premium to ASEBP Dental Care Plan 3. The premium contribution for part-time teachers shall be prorated in the proportion that his/her hours of work bear to the hours of work of a full-time teacher.

11.01.01 Teachers resigning as of June 30, in any year, who have been employed by the Board for the previous 10 consecutive months, shall receive the amount stipulated in 11.01 as if they were under contract for a 12 month period.

11.02 All teachers coming on staff on or after September 1, 1971 shall, as a condition of employment, be enrolled in the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (Plan D, Schedule 2).

11.03 Teachers who are members of a religious order, or who because of a religious affiliation conscientiously object to becoming members of the plan, will not be required to join if a statement is submitted to the Board within 45 days of commencement of duties.

11.04 A teacher who becomes eligible for receipt of disability benefits as provided in ASEBP will not be entitled to receive cumulative sick pay benefits.

11.05 Payments made by the Board towards the premium of the ASEBP shall permit them to retain and not pass on to teachers any rebates of premiums otherwise required under Employment Insurance Commission regulations.

12.00 Transfers

12.01 The Board shall assume financial responsibility for moving the personal and household effects of a teacher who is transferred to another school within the school division, provided that this benefit shall not apply if the transfer is requested by the teacher.

13.00 New Positions

13.01 The Board may create or designate new positions not covered by this agreement. The salaries and all allowances, if any, for such positions or designations shall, subject to the provisions below, be established by agreement between the Board, the ATA, it being understood however that the lack of agreement shall not prevent the Board from instituting the new position or designation. Notice of any newly established position or designation shall be given to the secretary of the Local ATA forthwith after the establishment of the same. Any salary or allowance agreed upon shall be paid retroactively to the date the new position or designation was filled.

13.02 If the parties cannot agree upon a salary or allowance as referred to above, within 10 days of the date of receipt of the notice referred to above, either party shall have the right to have the matter determined finally by an arbitration board as referred to in this agreement. Arbitration will be instituted in this regard by either party submitting the matter to arbitration in writing to the other party and appointing a nominee to the board. None of the time limits or grievance steps referred to in the grievance and arbitration procedure shall apply to an arbitration hereunder. Any salary or allowance set by an arbitration board shall be paid retroactively to the date the new position or designation was filled.

14.00 Grievance Procedure

14.01 There shall be established an interpretation committee, composed of two representatives of the Board and two representatives of the Local ATA.

14.02 It shall be the duty of this committee to meet and endeavor to resolve all grievances. Grievances shall be confined to interpretation, application, operation or any alleged violation of this agreement.

14.03 A quorum of this committee shall consist of all members.

14.04 Any teacher who considers that he/she has a grievance as defined in clause 14.02 shall promptly submit, in writing, a statement of the nature of the grievance and the remedy sought to the secretary of the Board. Such written submission shall be made within 15 days from the date of the incident giving rise to the grievance or from the date the grievor first had knowledge of the incident, whichever is the later.

14.05 If the grievance has not been settled between the secretary of the Board and the grievor, within 15 days after the date of submission of the grievance, the secretary of the Local of the ATA shall, within 15 days thereafter, give written notice to the secretary-treasurer of the Board and to the members of the interpretation committee requesting consideration of the grievance.

14.06 When the interpretation committee receives notice of the submission of the grievance, it shall be required to give its decision within 21 days following the receipt of such notice except where, by unanimous consent of the committee, the hearing of such grievance is adjourned for the purpose of obtaining further information.

14.07 If the committee reaches unanimous decision as to the disposition of any grievance, that decision shall be final and binding. The interpretation committee by its decision shall not alter, amend or change the terms of this agreement.

14.08 If the committee does not reach a unanimous decision either party may, by written notice, serve on the other party within 10 days after the date on which the committee voted on the disposition of the grievance or within 10 days after the expiration of said period of 21 days, whichever is shorter, require the establishment of an arbitration board as hereinafter provided. If such notice is not served within the time limit the grievance shall be deemed to be at an end. Such notice shall contain a statement of the grievance and the remedy sought.

14.09 Each party shall appoint one member as its representative on the arbitration board within seven days of such notice and the two members so appointed shall endeavor to select an independent chairman.

14.10 If the two members fail to select a chairman within five days after the day on which the last of the two members is appointed, they shall request the Director of Mediation Services to select a chairman.

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

14.12 The arbitration board shall not change, modify or alter any of the terms of this agreement. The arbitrability of the issue shall be determined by the arbitration board.

14.13 The arbitration board shall give its decision not later than 14 days after the appointment of the chairman.

14.14 The arbitration board shall hear and determine the difference and shall issue an award in writing and the decision is final and binding upon the parties and upon any employee affected by it. The decision of a majority is the award of the arbitration board, but if there is no majority, the decision of the chairman governs and it shall be deemed to be the award of the board.

14.15 Each party to the grievance shall bear the expenses of its respective nominee and the two parties shall bear equally the expenses of the chairman.

14.16 Where any references in clause 14.00 to 14.15 inclusive are to a period of days, such period shall be exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays. Any of the aforesaid time limits may be extended at any stage upon written consent of the parties.

14.17 In the event, at any stage of the aforesaid procedure (except in respect of appointing persons to the board) a grievor fails to take the necessary action within the time limit specified, the grievance shall be deemed to be at an end. Should the board fail to respond to the grievor within the specified time period, the grievor may process the grievance to the next step in the procedure.

15.00 General

15.01 All previous collective agreements and salary schedules between or affecting the parties are hereby cancelled.

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

15.03 The Board and the teachers recognize the needs and the advantages of improved communications between teachers, trustees and administrators on educational matters and working conditions of teachers. As such, it is agreed that a liaison committee will be established to discuss educational matters and working conditions of teachers. The membership of this committee shall be made up of three trustees and three classroom teachers, along with the superintendent and the secretary-treasurer in an advisory capacity. The committee shall meet within two weeks of either party giving notice of a need for such a meeting. The two parties to the agreement shall advise of the appointees to the committee prior to the first meeting of each year. All items currently under negotiation are excluded from discussion by this committee.

15.04 Newly appointed teachers may be required to present a medical certificate of good health and satisfactory proof of age.

15.05 No retroactive pay shall be payable after the last day of August of each school year in respect of teaching experience or teacher education where a teacher has failed to submit satisfactory evidence of experience as required under section 4.00 or statement of teacher education as required under section 5.00.

15.06 In the context of this agreement, when a teacher is required to submit a TQS evaluation, statutory declaration, illness certificate or any other document this shall be done by registered mail (the date shall be as evidenced by the postal mark at the point of mailing) or by delivery in person to the office of the Board.

15.07 Nothing herein contained shall reduce the salary of a teacher below the amount payable immediately prior to the effective date of this agreement.

15.08 Effective January 1, 1994, for the purposes of this agreement, $2,000 of the annual salary as set out in clause 2.03 of this agreement shall be considered to be a travel assistance benefit paid in a designated area as defined by Revenue Canada and shall be indicated as such in the appropriate box on the annual T4 slip. The provision of this benefit shall in no fashion add to the cost of salary or benefits to the employer and shall be in accordance with the provisions set by Revenue Canada.

15.09 Any teacher employed on a full-time (1.0 FTE) continuing contract as of September 1, 1995 who agrees to employment on a part-time contract shall be given a term contract for an agreed upon period of time and notwithstanding section 84(2) of the School Act, that contract shall be for a specified portion of a full-time equivalent which shall not be varied except by mutual consent. At the conclusion of the term contract, and unless extended or altered by mutual agreement, the teacher shall be returned to a full-time (1.0 FTE) continuing contract.

15.10 Extracurricular Activities--The parties recognize the value of extracurricular activities including the participation of teachers. However, teacher participation in extracurricular activities is voluntary. Should a teacher decide to participate in such activities, the teacher will not be paid for such service.

16.00 Appointment of Assistant Principals

16.01 The parties to this agreement recognize the prerogative of the Board to appoint assistant principals.

16.02 Notwithstanding clause 16.01, the Board shall appoint assistant principals in schools where there are 10 or more FTE teachers (exclusive of the principal).

17.00 Terms of Agreement

17.01 (a) This agreement takes effect from September 1, 2001 through until August 31, 2003 and shall be in effect from year to year thereafter until notice of desire to amend or terminate is given by either party.

(b) Such notice shall be given in writing not less than 60 nor more than 150 days prior to the expiry date of this agreement. The party receiving the notice will provide their demands to the other party within 15 days of receiving notice. Within 30 days of serving notice, both parties shall meet and have a mutual exchange of proposals.

(c) If neither party submits notice as per clause 17.01 (b), this agreement shall continue from year to year thereafter until notification of desire to amend or terminate is given within the aforementioned 60 to 150 days in a subsequent year.

(d) The wording and figures contained in articles and schedules of this agreement shall not be changed by either party, except through mutual agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding the termination date of this agreement, if notice has been given to commence collective bargaining, the terms and conditions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect until otherwise altered through the advent of a new collective agreement or until a strike or lockout occurs, whichever is first.