The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This agreement is made in duplicate this 29 day of August, AD 2000 pursuant to the School Act (amended 1994) and the Labour Relations Code .

Between Horizon School Division No 67, hereinafter called the "Horizon School Division No 67" of the first part and the Alberta Teachers' Association, a body corporate incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta, hereinafter called the "Association" of the second part.

Whereas the Association is the bargaining agent for the teachers employed by the Horizon School Division No 67, and

Whereas the terms and conditions of employment and the salaries of the teachers 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 the terms of employment of the said teachers.

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

1. The agreement applies to all employees of the Horizon School Division No 67 who as a condition of their employment must possess a valid teaching certificate issued under the authority of the Department of Education, the Province of Alberta and must be members of the Alberta Teachers' Association in good standing, herein collectively called the teachers, or where the context requires, teacher, except those designated as superintendent or deputy superintendent.

2. The salaries and the terms and conditions of the teachers' employment with the Horizon School Division No 67 are governed by the provisions of this agreement and any statutory provision relating thereto.

3. Term and Effective Date

This agreement shall, except where otherwise specified, take effect September 1, 2000 and shall remain in full force and effect until August 31, 2001, except in the event that negotiations between the parties for renewal or revision hereof, for a new collective agreement have been commenced as hereinafter provided and have not been concluded by the above termination date, this agreement shall continue in full force and effect until

(a) a new agreement is reached, or

(b) the Association terminates the agreement by commencement of strike action, or

(c) the Board terminates the agreement by the commencement of a lockout.

3.1 Either party may give to the other party 60 to 150 days prior to the termination of this agreement a notice in writing of its intention to commence collective bargaining with a view to striking a new agreement. Such notice shall contain the intent of all amendments sought. The party receiving notice shall submit its proposals in writing to the other party six calendar days prior to the first meeting.

4. Salary

4.1 The following shall determine the placement on the salary schedule:

(a) the amount of teacher education in accordance with clause 4.4.

(b) the length of teaching experience.

4.2 The Horizon School Division No 67 shall pay the teachers monthly 1/12 of the salary in effect for that month as herein set forth and computed. For the purposes of this agreement, allowances shall be considered to be part of the salary.

4.3 September 1, 2000

		Two	Three	Four	Five	Six
0				35,049	37,206	39,507
1				37,269	39,448	41,772
2				39,510	41,679	43,994
3				41,764	43,933	46,236
4				43,995	46,175	48,479
5				46,237	48,393	50,700
6				48,467	50,638	52,942
7				50,699	52,879	55,198
8				52,940	55,133	57,450
9				55,194	57,317	59,660
10		39,196	43,655	57,403	59,571	61,916
11		39,196	43,655	59,322	61,457	63,851

4.4 The evaluation of teacher education for salary purposes shall be determined by a statement of qualifications issued by the Teacher Qualifications Service in accordance with the policies established by the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board, established by memorandum of agreement among the Department of Education, the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Alberta School Trustees' Association, dated March 23, 1967. As of January 1, 1985 all teachers must have an evaluation by the Teacher Qualifications Service.

4.4.1 Placement on the salary schedule shall be according to the number of years of teaching experience and full years of teacher education at September 1 or February 1 of each school year or upon commencement of employment.

4.4.2 Each teacher claiming additional teacher education and each teacher commencing employment with the Horizon School Division No 67 shall within 60 days of September 1 or February 1 or commencement of duties submit to the Horizon School Division No 67 proof of having applied for a statement of qualifications to be issued by the Teacher Qualifications Service of the Association.

4.5 A year of teaching experience is any one year during which a teacher has rendered service for not less than 120 days. A teacher who has rendered service for not less than 60 days in any one semester shall receive credit for 1/2 year of teaching experience. One-half year teaching experience not to be paid except that two 1/2 years of teaching experience in different school years shall count as one year of teaching experience. Except as otherwise provided teaching experience shall not include university or college instruction. Teachers receiving such university experience prior to January 1, 1980 and college experience prior to January 1, 1981 shall continue to receive same.

4.5.1 Notwithstanding clause 4.5, any teacher hired on a regular part-time basis such that 120 full days of teaching cannot be accumulated in one school year, or 60 full days in one semester, shall receive credit for one year's teaching experience upon a total accumulation of 120 full days of teaching or more prior to the adjustment date as specified in clause 4.4.1, accumulation to commence September 1, 1972.

4.5.2 Teaching experience obtained by a teacher prior to engagement by the Horizon School Division No 67 is counted as if it has been teaching experience in schools under the Board's jurisdiction. Prior teaching experience shall be documented by previous employer(s).

4.5.3 No teacher shall receive credit for teaching experience gained while he was not holding a valid teaching certificate. For teachers engaged on or after January 1, 1982, substitute teaching will not in any event be used in calculating whether an additional year of teaching experience with the Board has been earned.

4.6 ECS teachers shall be paid on the following basis:

(a) A teacher who teaches one program of 400 hours will be paid 42 percent of their salary placement on the grid.

(b) A teacher who teaches two programs for a total of 800 hours will be paid 84 percent of their salary on the grid.

5. Allowances

5.1.1 Effective September 1, 2000, Principal - In addition to his/her salary in clause 4, each principal shall receive, monthly, an allowance of 1/12 of the following schedule based on the number of teachers, including the principal, vice-principal and ECS teacher.

- 4.00 percent of the fourth year minimum for each of the first five teachers,

- 2.02 percent of the fourth year minimum for each of the next five teachers,

- 1.52 percent of the fourth year minimum for each of the next five teachers,

- 1.01 percent of the fourth year minimum for each remaining teacher.

For the purposes of this clause a proportionate allowance shall be paid for part-time teachers.

5.1.2 In addition to allowances provided for in clause 5.1.1, a principal shall receive the following allowance enhancement as determined by the number of full-time equivalent teachers at his school.

5.1.3 In addition to his salary in clause 4, each vice-principal shall receive 1/2 the allowance paid to the principal and each assistant principal shall receive 1/4 of the allowance paid to the principal.

(a) The Board shall establish a vice-principal position at each school having over 10 FTE teachers, including ECS.

(b) The Board shall establish an assistant principal position at each school having between six and 10 FTE teachers, including ECS.

(c) Where the vice-principal or assistant principal function is performed by more than one person the allowance shall be divided equally among those persons.

(d) Notwithstanding clause 5.1.3.b, those persons presently functioning in vice-principal positions in schools with between six and 10 FTE teachers shall continue to receive the same allowance as provided for in the 1999/2000 collective agreement, adjusted for changes in number of teachers in the 2000/2001 school year, for as long as they continue to have the administrative designation or receive a reappointment to the same administration designation.

(e) The Board may add administrative positions at any school as it deems appropriate.

5.2 Teachers receiving allowances pursuant to the previous collective agreement shall continue to receive such allowance for the term of their designation, provided that provision is not made elsewhere in this agreement for an allowance for the designation.

5.3 In a school where there is no vice-principal or assistant principal, a teacher shall be designated by the school principal to be acting principal in the absence of the principal and shall be paid an amount equivalent to 1/200 of 25 percent of the principal's allowance for each 1/2 day of the principal's absence.

5.3.1 In a school where both the principal and vice-principal or assistant principal are absent, a teacher shall be designated by the school principal to be acting principal and shall be paid an amount equivalent to 1/200 of 25 percent of the principal's allowance for each 1/2 day of absence.

5.3.2 When, in the absence of the principal, the vice-principal or assistant principal or any other designee acts in his place for a period of five or more consecutive school days, the vice-principal or designee shall receive an allowance of 1/200 of the principal's allowance as calculated in clause 5.1.1 effective on the fifth day and for every consecutive school day thereafter until the return of the principal.

5.4 Payment for administration shall commence on the effective date of appointment of the administrator.

5.5 It is the right of the Horizon School Division No 67 to create and fill administrative, supervisory, coordinator and consultative positions provided that the allowances for said positions be included in the collective agreement.

5.5.1 In addition to the salary under clause 4 there shall be paid the following allowances to designated personnel employed by the Board prorated equivalent of time spent in the positions.

(a) Supervisors - $9,619

(b) Coordinators - $4,617

(c) Consultants - $2,366

5.5.2 In addition to salary under clause 4, persons designated to perform administrative duties in colony school under clause 22 shall receive an allowance equivalent to two percent of the fifth year minimum for each full-time equivalent teacher at the school.

6. Substitute Teachers

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

6.2 Effective September 1, 2000 the rate of pay for substitute teachers in schools other than Lomond shall be $128.46 per day including holiday pay. Effective September 1, 2000 the rate of pay for substitute teachers at the Lomond School shall be $160.58 including holiday pay.

6.3 Rate of pay for a teacher employed on a substitute basis who fills the same teaching position for more than five consecutive days shall be effective the sixth consecutive teaching day; according to the placement on the salary grid subject to the terms of this collective agreement.

6.4 Notwithstanding clause 6.3, a substitute teacher who fills a teaching position for more than four consecutive days and who accepts a contract of employment with the Horizon School Division No 67 shall be paid effective the first day according to placement on the salary grid.

6.5 In no instance shall a substitute be paid less than 1/2 of the full day rate for an assignment in the morning or afternoon.

6.6 When the assignment of a substitute teacher includes classes both before and after the noon intermission at the school, the substitute teacher shall be paid the full day rate specified in clause 6.2.

7. Payment

7.1 Teachers under contract, except substitutes, shall be paid by the last banking Friday of the month with the exception of December and June when teachers shall be paid by the last teaching Friday.

7.2 Any teacher completing a full year's service shall have made available to him any sum outstanding at the end of the year's teaching. Provided that in the opinion of the teacher there are special circum-stances that make it necessary and individually written applications (stating these circumstances) are made by June 1.

7.3 Payment for teachers shall be in accordance with the memorandum regarding calculation of salary for the purpose of both payment and deduction, a memorandum between the Association and the Alberta School Trustees' Association signed on or about January 6, 1972.

7.4 Payment for substitute teachers shall be mailed no later than the 10 day of the month following service rendered.

8. Cumulative Sick Leave

8.1 In the first year of service with the Horizon School Division No 67, a teacher shall be entitled to 20 school days of sick leave at full salary. During the second and subsequent years of service, annual sick leave with full salary will be granted for 90 calendar days.

8.2 A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, disability or sickness shall continue to be entitled to the full number of sick leave days stipulated in 8.1. Notwithstanding the above, after 20 school days of continuous absence in a teacher's first year of service, no further salary shall be paid. After 90 calendar days of continuous absence during a teacher's second or subsequent years of service, no further salary shall be paid and the provisions of ASEBP shall take effect. A teacher who in his second or subsequent year of service returns to work after a continuous absence of 90 calendar days shall have his sick leave entitlement under clause 8.1 reinstated upon submission of a medical certificate of good health.

8.3 In the case of a teacher who has had previous service with the Horizon School Division No 67 and re-enters its employ within 26 months of leaving and upon production of a medical certificate of good health, the sick leave accumulated, clause 8.1, during the period of employment with the Horizon School Division No 67 shall be reinstated to the credit of the teacher.

8.4 A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, disability or sickness for a period of four or more consecutive teaching days may be required to present a medical certificate within one month after resuming normal teaching duties.

8.5 A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain medical or dental treatment, or because of accident, disability or sickness for a period of three consecutive teaching days or less may be required to present a signed statement giving reasons for such absence.

9. Leave of Absence

9.1 With Full Pay--A teacher is entitled to temporary leave of absence with pay and such leave is deemed to be an authorized absence approved by the Board. Where such teacher is absent:

9.1.1 For not more than five teaching days per school year, if necessary, because of critical illness or death of any of the following legal relatives of the teacher or his/her spouse: spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law or other relative who is a member of the teacher's household.

Where critical illness is not followed by death within 30 days, the Horizon School Division No 67 may require a medical certificate stating that critical illness was the reason for absence. Such medical certificate may be requested by the Board within 30 days of their being notified.

9.1.2 For the period of one day, plus one day for travelling, if necessary, per school year to attend the teacher's convocation of a university or graduation from a post-secondary institution.

9.1.3 For not more than two days per school year for the purposes of writing examinations in academic or professional courses.

9.1.4 For those days on which a teacher is unable to reach the school from his usual place of residence because of impassable roads, when the absence is approved by the principal.

9.1.5 For two teaching days per year in the event of the birth of the teacher's child or the adoption of a child by the teacher.

9.1.6 Leave of absence without loss of salary shall be granted for:

(a) jury duty or any summons related thereto; or

(b) to answer a subpoena or summons to attend as a witness in any proceeding authorized by law to compel the attendance of witnesses, provided that the teacher remits to the Board any witness fee or jury stipend (excluding allowances and/or expenses set by the court or other body).

9.2 With Partial Pay--Temporary leave of absence with pay shall be granted to teachers as follows provided that an amount equivalent to the salary of a substitute is forthcoming to the Horizon School Division No 67 through payroll deduction or payment from other sources:

9.2.1 Personal leave for not more than five days in any school year shall be granted for attending to private concerns. Where possible, at least one day's advance notice shall be given to the principal, or in the case of a principal to the superintendent or his office.

9.2.2 For the period of one day plus one day for travelling, if necessary, to attend the convocation or graduation from a post-secondary institution of his spouse or child.

9.2.3 To attend the Annual Representative Assembly of the Alberta Teachers' Association as an official delegate.

9.3 Maternity and Adoption Leave

9.3.1 A teacher shall be entitled to maternity leave following 12 months of continuous service with Horizon School Division.

9.3.2 When a teacher is unable to attend work due to her pregnancy, the teacher shall be eligible for one of the following options:

(a) if the absence begins prior to 10 weeks before the estimated date of delivery and continues without return to work, the teacher shall be placed on sick leave until such point as the teacher is eligible to apply for extended disability benefit (EDB).

(b) if the absence begins within the 10 week period before the estimated date of delivery, the teacher shall choose either the sub plan or sick leave. Such choice shall apply until the teacher returns to work following delivery or until the teacher returns to work from maternity leave.

9.3.3 The Board will register and implement a 95 percent Supplementary Unemployment Benefits plan which each teacher shall access for pay for a period of 17 weeks of maternity leave. The Board shall pay its portion of each teacher's benefit plan premiums for the 17 week period. The remainder of the maternity leave, exclusive of the 17 week period, shall be without pay and Board contribution of premiums.

9.3.4 Each teacher shall endeavor to notify the Board verbally of her leave requirements three months in advance, however, she shall give the Board at least two weeks written notice of the day on which she intends to commence maternity leave.

9.3.5 In addition to the 17 week leave, each teacher may be eligible to apply for a further maternity related personal leave without pay and Board contribution to benefit premiums provided such is contiguous with the maternity leave. During this period, the teacher shall be eligible to maintain her benefit insurance coverage provided she pays 100 percent of the premiums directly to the ASEBP.

9.3.6 At least two weeks prior to the maternity-related personal leave commencing, each teacher shall endeavor to provide written notice to the Board of the date she plans on returning to work.

9.3.7 Teachers returning from the 17 week or maternity-related personal leave shall be returned to the position held at the commencement of the leave. This does not imply that a teacher on leave has any advantage or disadvantage in the event that staff reduction or program changes become necessary in a particular school.

9.3.8 A teacher shall be entitled to adoption leave without pay or Board contribution to benefits. The teacher concerned shall apply for such leave at least 60 days prior to commencement of the leave. If matters arising from adoption procedures prevent such notice the leave shall not be denied. A teacher granted an adoption leave shall have the same options as outlined in clause 9.3.7.

9.4 Negotiation Leave

9.4.1 Leaves of absence for the teacher's negotiating committee shall be granted, to a maximum of three teachers, without loss of salary provided, however, that the Board shall be reimbursed by the Association an amount equal to the salary of a substitute for each teacher commencing the third and subsequent days of such leave.

10. Transfers

10.1 The Board shall pay to a teacher it has transferred to another school the moving expenses necessarily incurred by the teacher and the teacher's family as a result of such transfer to a maximum of $1,000. This does not apply to a teacher who has requested a transfer.

10.2 Any teacher who becomes an employee of the Board pursuant to the provisions of section 213 of the School Act, (Revised Statutes of Alberta 1988, Chapter S-3.1 as amended to July 6, 1988), and who has been designated a principal, vice-principal, assistant principal, team leader or other administrative support personnel by his former employer retains such designation, provided he remains in the same school plant.

11. Group Insurance

11.1 The Horizon School Division No 67 shall effect and maintain:

(1) Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan (ASEBP)

(a) Extended Disability - Plan D

Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment - Schedule 2

(b) Extended Health Care - Plan 1

(c) Dental Care Plan 3

(2) Alberta Health Care Insurance (AHC)

applicable to and for the benefit of teachers in its employ, according to the provisions of the plan.

11.2 All teachers shall be members of the ASEBP - Plan D, Schedule 2 as defined in 11.1(1)(a).

11.2.1 With respect to clause 11.1 it is understood that participation in ASEBP - Extended Health Care Plan 1, Dental Care Plan 3 and Alberta Health Care Insurance is not a condition of employment.

11.3 Effective September 1, 1999 the Horizon School Division No 67 shall pay 88 percent of the premiums for the plans mentioned in clause 11.1 (1) (a), (b), (c) and 11.1 (2).

11.3.1 Part-time teachers who are eligible, shall be paid in accordance with 11.3 on a prorata basis.

11.4 It is understood that payments towards the aforementioned benefit plan shall permit the Horizon School Division No 67 to retain and not pass on to the teachers any rebates or premiums otherwise required under the Employment Insurance Commission regulations.

12. Grievance Procedure

The following grievance procedure is in accordance with the requirements of the Labour Relations Code and provides for the peaceful settlement of any differences arising from the interpretations, application or operation of this agreement, including any questions as to whether the differences are arbitrable, and shall be dealt with as follows:

Step 1 - Such differences (hereinafter called a grievance) shall first be submitted in writing to the corresponding secretary of the Local of the Association and the secretary-treasurer of the Board.

(a) Such written submission shall be made within 30 days from the date the grievor first had knowledge of the alleged violations.

(b) The submissions shall set out the nature of the grievance, the clauses of this agreement which are alleged to have been violated and the remedy sought.

Step 2 - In the event the grievance is not settled within 15 days from the date of the submission in accordance with Step 1, then within a further period of 15 days the grievance shall be referred in writing to the grievance committee.

(a) Such grievance committee shall consist of two representatives of the Association and two representatives of the Horizon School Division No 67.

(b) This grievance committee shall meet and endeavor to resolve the grievance, and shall render its decision within 15 days following receipt of the submission.

(c) If the majority of the grievance committee reaches a decision as to the disposition of the grievance, that decision shall be final and binding on both parties. A majority decision shall be the decision of three members of the grievance committee.

Step 3 - In the event the grievance committee does not meet within 15 days following receipt of the submission or in the event that the committee does not reach a majority or unanimous decision within the said time limitations, then either party may, by written notice to the other party, require the establishment of an arbitration board as hereinafter provided.

(a) Such notice must be given within 10 days after the date the 15 day limitation in Step 3 expires.

(b) Concurrently with the notice by the party requiring the establishment of an arbitration board, the party shall name its nominee to the Board and the recipient of the notice shall, within five days, inform the other party of its nominee to the Board.

(c) The two nominees so appointed shall within five days of the appointment of the second of them, appoint a third person, who shall be chairman of the arbitration board. In the event of failure to agree on the appointment of a chairman, any party may request the Director of Mediation Services to make the necessary appointment.

Step 4 - The arbitration board shall hear and determine the grievance and shall issue an award in writing not later than 15 days after commencement of the hearings, provided that this time period may be extended by written consent of the parties.

(a) Such award shall be final and binding upon the parties and upon any employee affected by it.

(b) The decision of a majority of the arbitration board is the award of the board, but where there is no majority (or unanimity) the decision of the chairman governs and shall be deemed to be the award of the board.

(c) The arbitration board by its decision shall not alter, amend or change the terms of this agreement.

(d) Each party to the grievance shall bear the expense of its respective nominee and the two parties shall bear in equal proportions the expense of the chairman.

(e) All the aforesaid time limitations in the steps shall be exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays and in the event that at any stage of the aforesaid procedures (except in respect of appointing persons to a board) a party fails to take the necessary action within the time limit specified, the grievance procedure shall be deemed to be at an end.

(f) Any of the aforesaid time limits may be extended at any stage by mutual consent of the parties.

13. Staff Deployment

Staff deployment and administrative time shall be the responsibility of the superintendent and principal in consultation with the principal's staff.

14. Board-Teacher Liaison

14.1 The parties hereby recognize that basic to the proper management and administration of a school system it is the Board's right and responsibility to formulate and adopt fair, just and reasonable policies and regulations.

14.2 The Horizon School Division No 67 and the Association recognize the advantage and acknowledge the mutual benefits to be derived from communications through the various channels that are available to them.

14.3 The Horizon School Division No 67 shall submit proposed Board regulations and policies pertaining to teachers to the elected representatives of its teaching staff during the time which schools are operating. The teachers shall be given at least four weeks or such time as mutually agreed upon to respond to these proposals in such manner as they may desire.

14.4 The Horizon School Division No 67 shall provide each teacher in their employ with a copy of the collective agreement and a copy of the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan explanatory booklet. A copy of the Horizon School Division No 67's current policy handbook shall be placed in each staff room.

General

15. Any teacher required to teach in more than one school shall receive a travel allowance, paid at current Board per kilometre rate, for such days when the distance travelled between schools exceeds eight kilometres.

16. If the Horizon School Division No 67 wishes to change the commencement date of the school year they shall notify their teachers of such change prior to May 1.

17. When school is closed for all students due to health reasons, inclement weather, physical plant breakdowns, teachers will not be required to attend school.

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

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

20. All previous collective agreements between or affecting the parties are hereby cancelled.

21. School Year

21.1 Teachers will not be required to render service for more than 200 designated teacher days commencing the opening day of school in each school year, exclusive of vacation periods, weekends and holidays.

21.2 Notwithstanding clause 21.1, administrators shall be responsible to organize their schools in order that the schools are ready for operation.

21.3 The date upon which a teacher will be required to render the first day of service in any school year shall be announced by the Board not less than four calendar months prior to such date.

21.4 The week following Easter Sunday will continue to be a vacation period, unless agreed to otherwise by the Board and its teachers.

22. Hutterite School

An on-site teacher shall be designated to perform administrative duties at each Hutterite Colony school. Those teachers currently designated as principals at Hutterite schools (County of Warner and County of Vulcan) will maintain those designations as long as they remain at the Colony school.

23. Professional Improvement Leave

23.1 Professional improvement leave shall mean full study or other activities designed to improve the teacher's academic or professional qualifications at a recognized university or college.

23.2 Teachers who have five or more years of continuous service with Horizon School Division No 67 or one of its founding Boards of Education and are at a maximum grid position may apply.

23.3 A teacher must apply for professional improvement leave by April 1 with the leave to be taken during the following school year.

23.4 The Board will, within the terms of this agreement, consider and approve all applicants except in those circumstances where the Board determines that approval would be detrimental to the best interest of the division. In such cases, the Board will provide the applicant with the rationale for not approving the application.

23.5 A teacher granted professional improvement leave should receive as salary, payable on the last teaching Friday of each month, 1/12 of $19,000.

23.6 A teacher taking professional improvement leave shall retain his/her position of seniority.

23.7 A teacher who is granted a leave shall, upon returning, be given a position no less favorable than the one the teacher had before the leave.

23.8 The returning teacher shall notify the superintendent of his/her choice by May 1, of the year in which the leave expires.

24.1 The Board will increase its current $30,000 joint ATA/school division professional development fund contribution by $10,000.

LETTER OF INTENT 1

The parties hereto agree to establish joint committees to discuss the following issues:

(a) professional development

(b) administrative allowances

(c) class size and composition

(d) part-time teacher's working conditions