Common use of TEACHER EMPLOYMENT Clause in Contracts

TEACHER EMPLOYMENT. 8.1. The Board agrees to employ only those teachers who hold at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and are certifiable by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. This provision shall not apply in the instance where the availability of personnel is critical and an appropriate waiver is granted by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. 8.2 Teachers shall not be assigned outside the scope of their teacher certification and major or minor field of study except temporarily and for good cause. 8.3 For purposes of this Agreement, the period of service shall not be more than one hundred eighty-nine (189) days, to be allocated as follows: Regular School Days 180 Pre-School Year Faculty Meetings 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 Teacher In-Service 3 Teacher Planning Days 2 Professional Development Day 1 Total Contract Days 189 The agenda for the Teacher Planning Days will be set by the teaching staff in each building, and shall be used for teachers to plan curriculum and/or curriculum development only. The Teacher Planning Days will be scheduled either immediately prior to the first day of school, during the school year, and/or after the last day of school, but no later than June 30. The Professional Development Day shall be scheduled in the fall and devoted to any activity that furthers the individual teacher’s Staff Development Plan. Parent- Teacher Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate and meet the needs of parents. Two (2) weeks notice will be given for make-up days. Teachers new to the District may be required to report one extra day. 8.4 Teachers employed by the District will be given an individual contract (See Appendix C attached hereto) each year of their employment. The contract will include teaching assignment, years of service, tenured status and annual salary. Tenure will be issued according to NH RSA 189:14-a. The notice of employment shall require that teachers certify they hold a valid New Hampshire certificate, license, or permit to teach. The Board agrees to pay for the State mandated recertification fee. The individual contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 8.5 The workday shall begin for those teachers who have assigned duties at a time consistent with the individual schedules of each building. Those teachers who do not have duties before the start of the school day shall be required to report twenty (20) minutes prior to the first scheduled homeroom or class in their building each day. The workday for teachers will end at such time as necessary to carry out their professional duties including, but not limited to, faculty meetings, conferences with parents or students, extra help, open house, or conferences with administrators as required. Such meetings shall be of reasonable duration with end of day faculty meetings being no more than one (1) hour. Otherwise, the teacher workday shall end ten (10) minutes after the last period or class in their building each day, except for those teachers who have assigned duties consistent with the individual schedule of each building. In-service activities or workshops that are required of teachers by administrators will be conducted during the time regular classes are scheduled. 8.6 The Board will make every effort to provide a thirty (30) minute duty-free uninterrupted lunch period. In the event that a thirty minute lunch is not available for all teachers, a committee made up of three teachers appointed by the Association and three persons appointed by the Board shall study the situation and issue a report with recommendations as to how the thirty minute lunch period might be implemented for all teachers prior to the next annual District meeting. However, in no instance shall it be less than twenty (20) minutes. When a thirty (30) minute time period is not scheduled, teachers of self-contained classrooms will be provided a fifteen (15) minute relief period each day. 8.7 Teachers will be notified of their employment status and teaching assignments on or before April 15th, and will return their contract signed, no later than May 15. Any teachers who are in their state recertification year must have their State of NH Bureau of Credentialing Certification Renewal Form completed and approved by March 1st of Year 3, per the requirements of the FMRSD-SAU 60 Professional Development Master Plan, in order to be issued a contract renewal. In the event a teacher rejects a reassignment, the teacher shall be employed to fill any open position which may then be available, provided the Superintendent recommends to the Board that the teacher is qualified and certifiable. A teacher's refusal to accept the reassignment, or any open position which then may be available shall constitute a termination of contract without prejudice. Any change in assignment after April 15th shall be considered an involuntary transfer and shall be effected only for cause. 8.8 When involuntary transfers are effected for a necessary reduction in a school's staff allocation due to reduced student enrollments or the closing and/or consolidation of a building, resignations or leaves of absence, said transfers will be made on the basis of years of service in the District; that teachers in the affected building possessing the least amount of service and applicable certification being transferred first. Such transfer due to resignation or leave of absence shall be for a period not to exceed one (1) year. 8.9 Teachers actively engaged in credited coursework and/or matriculated in degree programs, should give notice by January 1 of their intent to pursue a salary lane change in the following year. All paperwork and formal grade documentation must be filed with the Superintendent’s office by August 1 in order for the salary adjustment to take effect for the upcoming contract year. Time requirements specified in this section may be extended by mutual agreement. 8.10 The Board agrees to submit to the Association for its consideration, suggestions for the school calendar on or before January fifteenth (15th) of the preceding year. The Board reserves the right to establish the school calendar and to make appropriate changes at any time.

TEACHER EMPLOYMENT. 8.1. The Board agrees to employ only those teachers who hold at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and are certifiable by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. This provision shall not apply in the instance where the availability of personnel is critical and an appropriate waiver is granted by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. 8.2 Teachers shall not be assigned outside the scope of their teacher certification and major or minor field of study except temporarily and for good cause. 8.3 For purposes of this Agreement, the period of service shall not be more than one hundred eighty-nine (189) days, to be allocated as followsincluding a maximum of 180 teaching days. Non- teaching days will include at least the following: Regular School Days 180 Pre-School Year Faculty Meetings 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 Teacher In-Service 3 Teacher Planning Days 2 Professional Development Day 1 Total Contract Days 189 9 The agenda for the Teacher Planning Days will be set by the teaching staff in each building, and shall be used for teachers to plan curriculum and/or curriculum development only. The Teacher Planning Days will be scheduled either immediately prior to the first day of school, during the school year, and/or after the last day of school, but no later than June 30. The Professional Development Day shall be scheduled in the fall and devoted to any activity that furthers the individual teacher’s Staff Development Professional Growth Plan. Parent- Teacher Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate and meet the needs of parents. Two (2) weeks notice will be given for make-up days. Teachers new to the District may be required to report one extra day. 8.4 Teachers employed by the District will be given an individual contract (See Appendix C C-1 and C-2 attached hereto) each year of their employment. The contract will include teaching assignment, years of service, tenured continuing contract status and annual salary. Tenure Continuing contract status will be issued according to NH RSA 189:14-a. The notice of employment shall require that teachers certify they hold a valid New Hampshire certificate, license, or permit to teach. The Board agrees to pay reimburse for half of the State mandated recertification fee. The individual contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 8.5 The workday shall begin for those teachers who have assigned duties at a time consistent with the individual schedules of each building. Those teachers who do not have duties before the start of the school day shall be required to report twenty (20) minutes prior to the first scheduled homeroom or class in their building each day. The workday for teachers will end at such time as necessary to carry out their professional duties including, but not limited to, faculty meetings, conferences with parents or students, extra help, open house, or conferences with administrators as required. Such meetings shall be of reasonable duration with end of day faculty meetings being no more than one (1) hour. Otherwise, the teacher workday shall end ten (10) minutes after the last period or class in their building each day, except for those teachers who have assigned duties consistent with the individual schedule of each building. In-service activities or workshops that are required of teachers by administrators will be conducted during the time regular classes are scheduled. Nurses shall not be assigned duties, such as bus duty or recess duty, before, during or after the school day. School counselors may be excused from such duties with the approval of the building administration. 8.6 The Board will make every effort to provide a thirty (30) minute duty-free uninterrupted lunch period. In the event that a thirty minute lunch is not available for all teachers, a committee made up of three teachers appointed by the Association and three persons appointed by the Board shall study the situation and issue a report with recommendations as to how the thirty minute lunch period might be implemented for all teachers prior to the next annual District meeting. However, in no instance shall it be less than twenty (20) minutes. When a thirty (30) minute time period is not scheduled, teachers of self-contained classrooms will be provided a fifteen (15) minute relief period each day. 8.7 The administration will make every effort to provide at least 3.5 hours per week as preparation time for teachers in grades Pre-K – 8. 8.8 Teachers will be notified of their employment status and teaching assignments on or before April 15th, and will return their contract signed, no later than May 15. Any teachers who are in their state recertification year must have their State of NH Bureau of Credentialing Certification Renewal Form completed and approved by March 1st of Year 31st; however, per the requirements a teacher’s request for extension of the FMRSD-SAU 60 Professional Development Master Plan, in order to May 1 deadline may be issued a contract renewalgranted for extenuating circumstances at the Superintendent’s discretion. In the event a teacher rejects a reassignment, the teacher shall be employed to fill any open position which may then be available, provided the Superintendent recommends to the Board that the teacher is qualified and certifiable. A teacher's refusal to accept the reassignment, or any open position which then may be available shall constitute a termination of contract without prejudice. Any change in assignment after April 15th shall be considered an involuntary transfer and shall be effected only for cause. 8.8 8.9 When involuntary transfers are effected for a necessary reduction in a school's staff allocation due to reduced student enrollments or the closing and/or consolidation of a building, resignations or leaves of absence, said transfers will be made on the basis of years of service in the District; that teachers in the affected building possessing the least amount of service and applicable certification being transferred first. Such transfer due to resignation or leave of absence shall be for a period not to exceed one (1) year. 8.9 8.10 Teachers actively engaged in credited coursework and/or matriculated in degree programs, should give notice by January November 1 of their intent to pursue a salary lane change in the following year. All paperwork and formal grade documentation must be filed with the Superintendent’s office by August 1 in order for the salary adjustment to take effect for the upcoming contract year. Time requirements specified in this section may be extended by mutual agreement. 8.10 8.11 The Board agrees to submit to the Association for its consideration, suggestions for the school calendar on or before January fifteenth (15th) of the preceding year. The Board reserves the right to establish the school calendar and to make appropriate changes at any time.

TEACHER EMPLOYMENT. 8.1. The Board agrees to employ only those teachers who hold at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and are certifiable by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. This provision shall not apply in the instance where the availability of personnel is critical and an appropriate waiver is granted by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. 8.2 Teachers shall not be assigned outside the scope of their teacher certification and major or minor field of study except temporarily and for good cause. 8.3 For purposes of this Agreement, the period of service shall not be more than one hundred eighty-nine (189) days, to be allocated as followsincluding a maximum of 180 teaching days. Non- teaching days will include at least the following: Regular School Days 180 Pre-School Year Faculty Meetings 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 Teacher In-Service 3 Teacher Planning Days 2 Professional Development Day 1 Total Contract Days 189 9 The agenda for the Teacher Planning Days will be set by the teaching staff in each building, and shall be used for teachers to plan curriculum and/or curriculum development only. The Teacher Planning Days will be scheduled either immediately prior to the first day of school, during the school year, and/or after the last day of school, but no later than June 30. The Professional Development Day shall be scheduled in the fall and devoted to any activity that furthers the individual teacher’s Staff Development Professional Growth Plan. Parent- Teacher Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate and meet the needs of parents. Two (2) weeks notice will be given for make-up days. Teachers new to the District may be required to report one extra day. 8.4 Teachers employed by the District will be given an individual contract (See Appendix C C-1 and C-2 attached hereto) each year of their employment. The contract will include teaching assignment, years of service, tenured status and annual salary. Tenure will be issued according to NH RSA 189:14-a. The notice of employment shall require that teachers certify they hold a valid New Hampshire certificate, license, or permit to teach. The Board agrees to pay reimburse for half of the State mandated recertification fee. The individual contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 8.5 The workday shall begin for those teachers who have assigned duties at a time consistent with the individual schedules of each building. Those teachers who do not have duties before the start of the school day shall be required to report twenty (20) minutes prior to the first scheduled homeroom or class in their building each day. The workday for teachers will end at such time as necessary to carry out their professional duties including, but not limited to, faculty meetings, conferences with parents or students, extra help, open house, or conferences with administrators as required. Such meetings shall be of reasonable duration with end of day faculty meetings being no more than one (1) hour. Otherwise, the teacher workday shall end ten (10) minutes after the last period or class in their building each day, except for those teachers who have assigned duties consistent with the individual schedule of each building. In-service activities or workshops that are required of teachers by administrators will be conducted during the time regular classes are scheduled. Nurses shall not be assigned duties, such as bus duty or recess duty, before, during or after the school day. 8.6 The Board will make every effort to provide a thirty (30) minute duty-free uninterrupted lunch period. In the event that a thirty minute lunch is not available for all teachers, a committee made up of three teachers appointed by the Association and three persons appointed by the Board shall study the situation and issue a report with recommendations as to how the thirty minute lunch period might be implemented for all teachers prior to the next annual District meeting. However, in no instance shall it be less than twenty (20) minutes. When a thirty (30) minute time period is not scheduled, teachers of self-contained classrooms will be provided a fifteen (15) minute relief period each day. 8.7 Teachers will be notified of their employment status and teaching assignments on or before April 15th, and will return their contract signed, no later than May 151st; however, a teacher’s request for extension of the May 1 deadline may be granted for extenuating circumstances at the Superintendent’s discretion. Any teachers who are in their state recertification year must have their State of NH Bureau of Credentialing Certification Renewal Form completed and approved by March 1st of Year 3, per the requirements of the FMRSD-SAU 60 Professional Development Master Plan, in order to be issued a contract renewal. In the event a teacher rejects a reassignment, the teacher shall be employed to fill any open position which may then be available, provided the Superintendent recommends to the Board that the teacher is qualified and certifiable. A teacher's refusal to accept the reassignment, or any open position which then may be available shall constitute a termination of contract without prejudice. Any change in assignment after April 15th shall be considered an involuntary transfer and shall be effected only for cause. 8.8 When involuntary transfers are effected for a necessary reduction in a school's staff allocation due to reduced student enrollments or the closing and/or consolidation of a building, resignations or leaves of absence, said transfers will be made on the basis of years of service in the District; that teachers in the affected building possessing the least amount of service and applicable certification being transferred first. Such transfer due to resignation or leave of absence shall be for a period not to exceed one (1) year. 8.9 Teachers actively engaged in credited coursework and/or matriculated in degree programs, should give notice by January November 1 of their intent to pursue a salary lane xxxx change in the following year. All paperwork and formal grade documentation must be filed with the Superintendent’s office by August 1 in order for the salary adjustment to take effect for the upcoming contract year. Time requirements specified in this section may be extended by mutual agreement. 8.10 The Board agrees to submit to the Association for its consideration, suggestions for the school calendar on or before January fifteenth (15th) of the preceding year. The Board reserves the right to establish the school calendar and to make appropriate changes at any time.

TEACHER EMPLOYMENT. 8.1. The Board agrees to employ only those teachers who hold at least 8.1 Duties shall be distributed in a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university fair and are certifiable by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. This provision shall not apply in the instance where the availability of personnel is critical and an appropriate waiver is granted by the New Hampshire State Department of Educationequitable manner. 8.2 Teachers Certified staff shall not be assigned outside the scope of their teacher certification and major or minor field of study except temporarily and for good cause. 8.3 For purposes of this Agreement, the period of service shall not be more than required to work one hundred eightyninety (190) days each year which shall consist of: Teaching Days: 180 In-nine (189) days, to Service Days: 5 Additional Days: 4 Curriculum Development/ Workshop/Planning Day: 1 The in-service days specified herein will be allocated distributed and used as follows: Regular School Days 180 Pre-School Year Faculty Meetings 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 Teacher In-Service 3 Teacher Planning Days 2 Professional Development Day 1 Total Contract Days 189 The agenda for the Teacher Planning Days will be set by the teaching staff in each building, and shall be used for teachers to plan curriculum and/or curriculum development only. The Teacher Planning Days will be scheduled either immediately prior to the first day of school, during the school year, and/or after the last day of school, but no later than June 30. The Professional Development Day shall be scheduled in the fall and devoted to any activity that furthers the individual teacher’s Staff Development Plan. Parent- Teacher Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate and meet the needs of parents. Two (2) weeks notice will be given for make-up days. Teachers new days (opening school)* Two (2) days (workshops held during the school year in SAU 29) One (1) day (closing school).* *One in service day prior to the District may be required to report one extra day. 8.4 Teachers employed by the District will be given an individual contract (See Appendix C attached hereto) each year of their employment. The contract will include teaching assignment, years of service, tenured status and annual salary. Tenure will be issued according to NH RSA 189:14-a. The notice of employment shall require that teachers certify they hold a valid New Hampshire certificate, license, or permit to teach. The Board agrees to pay for the State mandated recertification fee. The individual contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 8.5 The workday shall begin for those teachers who have assigned duties at a time consistent with the individual schedules of each building. Those teachers who do not have duties before the start of the school year will be reserved for teachers to set up their classrooms and one in service day after the school year ends will be reserved for teachers to close their classrooms. The additional days will be scheduled by the Administration with input from the Association. Newly hired teachers may be required to attend an orientation day for new staff, in addition to those days specified above. 8.3 The teaching days above shall consist of the instructional day, pre-instructional day, and post- instructional day. The instructional day shall be no less than six hours and twenty-five (25) minutes (6.42 hours) and no more than six (6) hours and thirty-five (35) minutes (6.58 hours). The pre and post instructional day shall be set to have the teaching day total no more than seven and one quarter (7.25) typically scheduled hours. The School Board has the sole discretion to set the teaching day and the start and stop times. The instructional day will not be increased beyond its 2015-16 duration by more than a total of ten (10) minutes during the life of this agreement. Certified staff that work a full seven and one quarter (7.25) hour day shall normally be required to report be in the building thirty (30) minutes before the instructional day begins and twenty (20) minutes prior to after the first scheduled homeroom or class in their building each dayinstructional day ends. The workday for teachers will end at such time as necessary parties recognize that certified staff may need to carry out their professional duties including, but not limited to, attend faculty meetings, meetings with administration or parent/student conferences, and provide extra assistance to students. Meetings and conferences with parents or students, extra help, open house, or conferences with administrators as required. Such meetings shall be of reasonable frequency and duration and with end reasonable notice of day faculty meetings being no more not less than one forty-eight (148) hour. Otherwise, hours except in an emergency. 8.4 District vacancies will be posted electronically on the teacher workday shall end SAU 29 web site for a minimum of ten (10) minutes after the last period or class in their building each daycalendar days, except in cases of emergency when they shall be posted for those teachers who have assigned duties consistent with not less than five (5) calendar days. The President of the individual schedule of each building. In-service activities or workshops that are required of teachers by administrators Association will be conducted during notified via email of District vacancies. Any employee may request a transfer to a vacant position provided he/she meets the time regular classes are scheduledqualifications set forth in the posting. 8.5 Certified staff shall receive a duty-free lunch period of at least twenty (20) minutes in duration. 8.6 The Board will make every effort to provide a thirty (30) minute duty-free uninterrupted lunch period. In the event that a thirty minute lunch is not available for all teachers, a committee made up of three teachers appointed school calendar shall be determined by the Association School Board after notice to and three persons appointed by opportunity for input from the Board Association. Such input shall study the situation and issue a report with recommendations as to how the thirty minute lunch period might be implemented for all teachers prior to the next annual District meeting. However, in no instance shall it be less than twenty (20) minutes. When a thirty (30) minute time period is not scheduled, teachers of self-contained classrooms will be provided a fifteen (15) minute relief period each day. 8.7 Teachers will be notified of their employment status and teaching assignments on or before April 15th, and will return their contract signed, no later than May 15. Any teachers who are in their state recertification year must have their State of NH Bureau of Credentialing Certification Renewal Form completed and approved by March 1st of Year 3, per the requirements of the FMRSD-SAU 60 Professional Development Master Plan, in order to be issued a contract renewal. In the event a teacher rejects a reassignment, the teacher shall be employed to fill any open position which may then be available, provided the Superintendent recommends to the Board that the teacher is qualified and certifiable. A teacher's refusal to accept the reassignment, or any open position which then may be available shall constitute a termination of contract without prejudice. Any change in assignment after April 15th shall be considered an involuntary transfer and shall be effected only for cause. 8.8 When involuntary transfers are effected for a necessary reduction in a school's staff allocation due to reduced student enrollments or the closing and/or consolidation of a building, resignations or leaves of absence, said transfers will be made on the basis of years of service in the District; that teachers in the affected building possessing the least amount of service and applicable certification being transferred first. Such transfer due to resignation or leave of absence shall be for a period not to exceed one (1) year. 8.9 Teachers actively engaged in credited coursework and/or matriculated in degree programs, should give notice by January 1 of their intent to pursue a salary lane change in the following year. All paperwork and formal grade documentation must be filed with the Superintendent’s office by August 1 in order for the salary adjustment to take effect for the upcoming contract year. Time requirements specified in this section may be extended by mutual agreement. 8.10 The Board agrees to submit to the Association for its consideration, suggestions for the school calendar on or before January November fifteenth (15th) of the preceding previous year. 8.7 The District agrees to continue to provide preparation time for certified staff who work a full instructional week when students are receiving instruction from “specials teachers” or other certified staff, or when students are absent from class while involved in other supervised activities, or when students are not scheduled to be in school. In extenuating circumstances, the staff would continue to be flexible in helping the District to meet its needs. The District will continue to distribute preparation time in an equitable manner. 8.8 Reduction in Force (RIF) – It shall be the policy of the Harrisville School District to use fair and consistent procedures. In the event that the Board reserves is considering a Reduction in Force, to the right extent possible the Association will be involved in the discussion prior to establish the school calendar final decision to discuss the educational impacts, employee workload impacts, and to make appropriate changes at any timeoffer input. The final decision to reduce staff shall be with the Board. When the Board finds it necessary to reduce positions for full or part-time staff for reasons of decreases in student enrollment, severe financial conditions, or other circumstances determined by the Board, the following reduction in force procedures shall be implemented: A. The Board will first reduce staff through attrition where possible. B. The Board will apply the following equally-weighted criteria to determine which certified staff person(s) to lay off: 1. academic degree/additional coursework 2. endorsements in which staff member has taught within 5 years 3. years in the Harrisville School District

TEACHER EMPLOYMENT. 8.1. The Board agrees to employ only those teachers who hold at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and are certifiable by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. This provision shall not apply in the instance where the availability of personnel is critical and an appropriate waiver is granted by the New Hampshire State Department of Education. 8.2 Teachers shall not be assigned outside the scope of their teacher certification and major or minor field of study except temporarily and for good cause. 8.3 For purposes of this Agreement, the period of service shall not be more than one hundred eighty-nine (189) days, to be allocated as followsincluding a maximum of 180 teaching days. Non- teaching days will include at least the following: Regular School Days 180 Pre-School Year Faculty Meetings 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences 2 Teacher In-Service 3 Teacher Planning Days 2 Professional Development Day 1 Total Contract Days 189 9 The agenda for the Teacher Planning Days will be set by the teaching staff in each building, and shall be used for teachers to plan curriculum and/or curriculum development only. The Teacher Planning Days will be scheduled either immediately prior to the first day of school, during the school year, and/or after the last day of school, but no later than June 30. The Professional Development Day shall be scheduled in the fall and devoted to any activity that furthers the individual teacher’s Staff Development Professional Growth Plan. Parent- Teacher Conferences will be scheduled to accommodate and meet the needs of parents. Two (2) weeks notice will be given for make-up days. Teachers new to the District may be required to report one extra day. 8.4 Teachers employed by the District will be given an individual contract (See Appendix C C-1 and C-2 attached hereto) each year of their employment. The contract will include teaching assignment, years of service, tenured continuing contract status and annual salary. Tenure Continuing contract status will be issued according to NH RSA 189:14-a. The notice of employment shall require that teachers certify they hold a valid New Hampshire certificate, license, or permit to teach. The Board agrees to pay reimburse for half of the State mandated recertification fee. The individual contract shall be subject to and consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 8.5 The workday shall begin for those teachers who have assigned duties at a time consistent with the individual schedules of each building. Those teachers who do not have duties before the start of the school day shall be required to report twenty (20) minutes prior to the first scheduled homeroom or class in their building each day. The workday for teachers will end at such time as necessary to carry out their professional duties including, but not limited to, faculty meetings, conferences with parents or students, extra help, open house, or conferences with administrators as required. Such meetings shall be of reasonable duration with end of day faculty meetings being no more than one (1) hour. Otherwise, the teacher workday shall end ten (10) minutes after the last period or class in their building each day, except for those teachers who have assigned duties consistent with the individual schedule of each building. In-service activities or workshops that are required of teachers by administrators will be conducted during the time regular classes are scheduled. Nurses shall not be assigned duties, such as bus duty or recess duty, before, during or after the school day. School counselors and special education teachers may be excused from such duties with the approval of the building administration. 8.6 The Board will make every effort to provide a thirty (30) minute duty-free uninterrupted lunch period. In the event that a thirty minute lunch is not available for all teachers, a committee made up of three teachers appointed by the Association and three persons appointed by the Board shall study the situation and issue a report with recommendations as to how the thirty minute lunch period might be implemented for all teachers prior to the next annual District meeting. However, in no instance shall it be less than twenty (20) minutes. When a thirty (30) minute time period is not scheduled, teachers of self-contained classrooms will be provided a fifteen (15) minute relief period each day. 8.7 The administration will make every effort to provide at least 3.5 hours per week as preparation time for teachers in grades Pre-K – 8. 8.8 Teachers will be notified of their employment status and teaching assignments on or before April 15th, and will return their contract signed, no later than May 15. Any teachers who are in their state recertification year must have their State of NH Bureau of Credentialing Certification Renewal Form completed and approved by March 1st of Year 31st; however, per the requirements a teacher’s request for extension of the FMRSD-SAU 60 Professional Development Master Plan, in order to May 1 deadline may be issued a contract renewalgranted for extenuating circumstances at the Superintendent’s discretion. In the event a teacher rejects a reassignment, the teacher shall be employed to fill any open position which may then be available, provided the Superintendent recommends to the Board that the teacher is qualified and certifiable. A teacher's refusal to accept the reassignment, or any open position which then may be available shall constitute a termination of contract without prejudice. Any change in assignment after April 15th shall be considered an involuntary transfer and shall be effected only for cause. 8.8 8.9 When involuntary transfers are effected for a necessary reduction in a school's staff allocation due to reduced student enrollments or the closing and/or consolidation of a building, resignations or leaves of absence, said transfers will be made on the basis of years of service in the District; that teachers in the affected building possessing the least amount of service and applicable certification being transferred first. Such transfer due to resignation or leave of absence shall be for a period not to exceed one (1) year. 8.9 8.10 Teachers actively engaged in credited coursework and/or matriculated in degree programs, should give notice by January November 1 of their intent to pursue a salary lane change in the following year. All paperwork and formal grade documentation must be filed with the Superintendent’s office by August 1 in order for the salary adjustment to take effect for the upcoming contract year. Time requirements specified in this section may be extended by mutual agreement. 8.10 8.11 The Board agrees to submit to the Association for its consideration, suggestions for the school calendar on or before January fifteenth (15th) of the preceding year. The Board reserves the right to establish the school calendar and to make appropriate changes at any time.