Excessing is the process of reducing staff in a particular school when there is a reduction in the number of available positions in a title or license area. There are times when a school reduces the size of its faculty, such as when it experiences an unexpected drop in student enrollment, loses a budget line or pursuant to state or federal law, is being closed, or phased out. Notification of the risk of excessing usually occurs in June in preparation for the next school year. According to the UFT/DOE contract, you must be informed in writing by June 15 if you will be in excess for the next school year, but it is still possible to be excessed after that date due to changes in enrollment or the budget. In contrast, the term “layoff” refers to a firing when the total workforce must be reduced or there are not enough positions in the city school system in the right license areas for the people employed.