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PREAMBLE

1.     The parties met to bargain and negotiate regarding the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the school system. Notably, Katrina was an unprecedented natural disaster which affected the entire St. Tammany Parish Community.

2.    Katrina caused great loss of infrastructure, schools and sources of revenue. Enrollment at schools which suffered the most damage has declined dramatically.

3.  The Board representatives advised the Union representatives that because of the effects of Katrina, and because of future revenue and enrollment uncertainty, district wide layoffs might be required in accordance with Article XIV of the collective bargaining agreement. The Board representatives advised that the Board was prepared to give affected employees an immediate 45 day notice of layoff if some alternative could not be agreed upon by the parties.

4.     The Union agreed that the reduction in force provisions are applicable under the circumstances created by Hurricane Katrina, but also agreed that alternatives to district wide layoff must be considered before implementing such layoffs.

5.     The parties met on October 31, 2005 and engaged in collective bargaining, both expressing the desire to protect as many employees as possible for the longest possible time within the provisions of the contract.

6.  To avoid immediate district wide layoffs, the parties negotiated the following agreement:                    

AGREEMENT

            a.     All employees , save those who resign or are terminated for just cause, will be secure in their employment, drawing full salary and benefits, through the end of the Fall, 2005 semester.

             b.     Between the present and the beginning of the Spring, 2006 semester, the parties will follow the involuntary transfer provisions of Article XIII of the contract and prepare for the reassignment of employees to different positions at different schools.

            c.     Those employees transferred pursuant to Article XIII will assume their new positions effective the beginning of the Spring, 2006 semester.

            d.    Because of  declining revenue, uncertainty of revenue, and enrollment decline, as of the first day of the Spring, 2006 semester, the Board will determine the number and identity of employees for whom no positions exist.

            e.     Employees for whom no positions exist will be placed on  “Displacement”   status pursuant to Article 14:02 of the contract, meaning that they will be inactive, without pay or benefits, for a period not to exceed 90 calendar days. On or before the end of the 90 day period, “displaced” employees will be notified of any positions available for which they are qualified, based on area of certification and seniority, and will be returned to active service in such positions. Those for whom there are no positions will be notified of termination.

            f.   Any employee who is tenured and who is notified of termination will have the right to be placed on a special recall list, and have full recall rights, for a period of three years. Those on this list will have priority on a seniority basis for any vacant position they are qualified to hold. 

            g.   Nothing in this agreement shall be considered precedent setting.

This the 11th day of November, 2005.