Reduction of Teachers With P.T.S. In the event it becomes necessary to reduce the number of Teachers with P.T.S. included in the bargaining unit defined in Article II, "Recognition," the Committee will take into consideration seniority, ability, and qualifications; and when all the factors that constitute ability and qualifications are relatively equal, seniority shall prevail. The laid-off Teacher, or the Teacher whose position is eliminated, shall first be transferred to an open position for which he/she is qualified or could become qualified by June 30 of the school year in which notice of the reduction is given, or if no open position is available, then replace a Teacher with the lowest seniority anywhere within the Longmeadow Public Schools in an area in which the laid-off Teacher is qualified. Should a Teacher be transferred, under paragraph above, to an area where the Teacher has certification but no experience in the Longmeadow Public Schools, the Teacher agrees, if deemed necessary by the Superintendent, and as a condition of assuming such new position, to take up to nine (9) college credits in a related subject approved by the Superintendent of Schools. Unless the Superintendent deems otherwise, the Teacher must successfully complete three (3) of said college credits by February 1 of the initial school year in which such new position is assumed and successfully complete the remaining six (6) credits by September 1 of the following school year. The Teacher will be reimbursed for ½ of the cost of tuition for each course in which said Teacher obtains a grade of B or better. Travel will be reimbursed if such credit is available only at an institution beyond fifty (50) miles from Longmeadow.
