Adult and Career Education Teachers RIF FAQs

1.      Does the layoff notice I received in March mean that I will be released? 

• Permanent and Probationary Employees:  The certified letter you received in March is a preliminary layoff notice, required by the Education Code and the District/UTLA Bargaining Agreement whenever the District implements a Reduction in Force (RIF). Unless the preliminary notice is rescinded for any reason, you may be released effective June 30, 2015.
• Permanent Employees Only: Final layoff notices are usually sent by May 15, but that date may extend into June, depending on the length of the upcoming RIF hearing. The number of employees ultimately laid off will depend on a number of factors – primarily the state’s and district’s budget. 

2.      If I hold more than one credential, can I be reassigned to another position in the Division of Adult and Career Education?

• Holding more than one credential may allow you to be reassigned to another position if:
• you have the proper credential for the position;
• you have one year’s experience in the subject matter within the District and within the past five years; and
• you have greater seniority than the holder of that position and can “bump” him or her. 

3.      If I am laid off, when will I receive my final salary warrant?

4.      What happens to my accrued illness account balance? 

• If you are reemployed by the District within 39 months from the date of layoff, your accrued illness hours will be restored.
• If you are employed by another district within 1 year from the date of layoff, you may transfer your accrued illness hours to that district.
• If you do not become reemployed by the District within 39 months from the date of layoff, your accrued illness hours will be forfeited. 

5.     Will I continue to receive health benefits? 

• In general, laid off teachers are eligible to elect COBRA benefits. Please direct any questions to Benefits Administration at (213) 241-4262 or via email at benefits@lausd.net.
• Benefits Administration will automatically send out COBRA information after July 1 to employees who receive final layoff notices.

• Permanent employees who are laid off and who process for day-to-day substitute employment may qualify for ongoing health benefits if they provide service for at least one day each month during the 2015-2016 school year.

• Non-Permanent employees who are laid off and who currently receive health benefits, and who process for day-to-day substitute employment may qualify for ongoing health benefits if they provide service for at least one day each month during the 2015-2016 school year.

6.      Will I be eligible for unemployment benefits?

• Laid off employees may call the Employment Development Department (EDD) at (800) 300-5616 for information, or they may visit the EDD website at www.edd.ca.gov.
• When filing the claim, employees should provide the following employer address:

• Employees should be aware that giving the Beaudry address or a school site address will delay the claim.

7.      If I am laid off, how can I be reemployed by the District?

• Permanent employees are automatically placed on a reemployment list and, as positions become available, are offered the opportunity to re-contract in order of seniority.

• As a permanent employee, you will be kept on the reemployment list for 39 months from the date of layoff, unless otherwise provided by law.

9.     If I retire during the 39 months that I am on a reemployment list, do I remain on the list and am I able to “unretire” when I am reached on the reemployment list?

• Retiring from a certificated position also requires an employee to resign from the District.  This resignation is an official separation from active District service.  Individuals who resign from the District during their 39 months on a reemployment list will be removed from the reemployment list as of the effective date of their resignation.

10.    Will I be able to substitute in the Division of Adult and Career Education?

• Laid off permanent teachers have priority in being offered substitute employment opportunities.  
• Human Resources (HR) will announce the dates for substitute processing no later than June 1, 2015. (Notification will be made through your LAUSD email account).

11.   If I become a substitute teacher in the Division of Adult and Career Education, will my name be removed from the reemployment list?

• Permanent and probationary employees who have rights to re-employment will remain on the reemployment list for up to 39 months from the date of layoff while serving as substitute teachers.

• Teachers with Multiple Subject credentials, Single Subject Teaching credentials may wish to consider positions at elementary, middle or high school. Application information for K-12 positions may be accessed by clicking https://www.lausd.org/Page/4506.
• For more information please visit www.teachinla.com, call 213-241-5300 or email recruit@lausd.net.

13.    How can I qualify for other subjects in K-12?

• Teachers interested in applying in K-12 must show evidence of having passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and evidence of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university reflecting a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Teachers with Single Subject credentials may qualify for additional secondary subjects by taking additional California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) exams and methodology courses.
• Teachers with a Single Subject credential may qualify for a Multiple Subject credential by taking the Multiple Subject CSET exam, an elementary methods course and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) exam.
• Teachers with a Multiple Subject credentials may qualify for a Single Subject credential by taking a secondary subject CSET exam and a methodology course.
• For more information, please call (213) 241-6520 or email credentialservices@lausd.net
• For CSET and RICA exam registration information, go to: www.ctcexams.nesinc.com

14.    How is RIF seniority determined? 

• An employee’s seniority date is the year, month, and day on which the employee first rendered paid service in probationary status.

• Permanent Employees:  If an individual was initially hired into probationary status, his or her first date of paid service in that capacity serves as the RIF seniority date. If an individual was initially contracted in a temporary status, the case of Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association v. Bakersfield City School District requires the District to use the contract date as the RIF seniority date.
• Non-Permanent/Probationary Employees:  Non-permanent/probationary employees follow the LAUSD/UTLA Collective Bargaining Agreement layoff order. Per the CBA, the order of layoff is based on seniority within status, beginning with temporary contracts, then probationary 1 (B1) employees, then probationary 2 (B2) employees

15.    How is seniority affected when an employee leaves the District, then returns?

• If an employee resigns his or her employment, or leaves the District for any reason other than a layoff, then his or her seniority date is not restored upon return; rather, it begins anew. (If the employee’s return is within 39 months of the separation, the employee retains permanent status – but not seniority).
• If the employee is laid off because of a RIF, the original seniority date is restored if the employee is recalled within 39 months of the separation date. (Education Code § 44956(a)(4)).

16.    What is the difference between teachers who are laid off and those who are displaced?

• Displacements occur when there is an overstaffed situation at a school. A “Notification of Displacement” form is given to the affected employees. The displaced teachers are then reassigned. In the case of elimination or reduction of educational offerings, lack of work; it is understood that the hours may be split in time and/or locations.  (LAUSD/UTLA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article XI Section 6.0)
• Layoffs occur when the District’s Board of Education determines a need to reduce its workforce in particular subject areas or services. A “Notice of Termination” (due to RIF) is mailed to affected employees by the District.