Reduc t i on i n Fo rce

By

Char la Long

December 6 , 2008

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 Reduc t i on i n Fo rce

Reduction in force (RIF) is when a reduction of one or

more positions is eliminated. Reduction in force takes

place when there are changes in the budget, legislative

actions, or a position changes and the employee is no

longer able to perform the duties. The board of education

can determine when a reduction in force is appropriate

because of enrollment declining, curricular programs,

taxable value of property, increased costs of operating the

school district. When a board decides to have a reduction

in force the superintendent should notify employees who may

be reduced.

A criterion is set when determining the personnel to

be reduced. Temporary employees performing the same work

must be terminated before any employee. Employees, with

probationary appointments as well as trainees with less

than six months experience shall be let go before permanent

employees. Once these employees are let go then the

reduction can reach the permanent employees if the need is

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still there for a reduction the board will determine which

positions are the most vital to the department. Length of

service of employees, skills, and knowledge each teacher

brings to their department. Some school districts offer

early retirement incentive programs or help employees find

other positions.

As an employee you have employment rights when

reduction in force is in effect. Personal is entitled to

notification of being laid off in writing at least thirty

days prior to the reduction and the reason for the

reduction. Employees should be directed to the Human

Resource department so they can obtain information on

benefits, reemployment, other employment, and apply for

unemployment insurance benefits.

Reduction in force employees have priority

reemployment rights to the same type of job, salary, level,

as held at the time of written notification for up to

twelve months. The employees have to submit applications to

the Human resources. If employees are offered a position at

the same or higher salary or level within thirty five miles

of original work they lose priority if they decline the

offer. If they accept a position at a lower pay scale they

do not lose priority.

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 Some employees decide to retire after they are

notified of reduction in force if this is the case they are

not entitled to the reemployment benefit. If they retire

after they have been laid off they can be considered for

reemployment during the twelve month period.

Dallas Independent school district has faced many

obstacles this school year in there budget and are having

to face reduction in force for there employees. In

September Dallas ISD started lying off people in the

central office to help with the budget deficit. The

district is faced with a $64 million budget shortfall due

to a miscalculation of teacher salaries in the district.