new teacher q & a

What does it mean if I am excessed? What matters — building seniority or system? Does time working in other nonteaching positions apply to my seniority? Can I be asked to leave my borough? Will I have to pay COBRA until I get another position?

May 7, 2009 1:53 PM

A: There are times when a school may need to reduce the size of its faculty because it has experienced a drop in student enrollment, it loses funding or it is being phased out. In these situations, some teachers may be “excessed,” starting with the least senior teachers in specific license areas. The contract calls for layoff seniority to be used in excessing situations. This consists of your total systemwide service, not your school seniority.

Keep in mind that excessed teachers are not laid off or fired. Excessing means there will be no teaching position for you in your current school. However, under the “open market” hiring system, you can find a job on your own by going to www.nycenet.edu/offices/dhr/transferplane/. There you may apply for any and all listed vacancies in your license area. Also, the Department of Education can place you in a position within your current district. If those steps are unsuccessful, the contract provides that you stay in your current school or district in an Absent Teacher Reserve (ATR) position at your contractual salary level until you find a vacancy in your license area.

Under the UFT contract, excessed teachers keep all their job protections and benefits, just like all other actively employed members. That includes health benefits, so there is no need to pay for COBRA.