The Alberta Teachers’ Association

This agreement is made this 18th day of April, 2005 pursuant to the School Act Chapter S-3 and the Labour Relations Code, as amended.

Between the Board of Trustees of the Grande Prairie School District No 2357, herein called the "Board" of the first part and the Alberta Teachers' Association, herein called the "Association," acting on behalf of the teachers employed by the Board, of the second part.

Whereas the Association is the duly certified bargaining agent for the teachers employed by the Board, and

Whereas such teachers' terms and conditions of employment and their salaries have been the subject of negotiation between the parties, and

Whereas the parties desire that these matters be set forth in an agreement to govern these terms of employment of the teachers.

NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH:

1.   Scope

1.1   All employees, who as a condition of their employment are required to hold a teaching certificate, shall be members of the Alberta Teachers' Association.

1.2   This agreement shall be applicable to all persons who require a teacher's certificate as a condition of their employment with the Board specifically exempting the superintendent, deputy and assistant superintendent(s) and such directors as may be appointed by the Board from time to time.

1.3   A director is a person who is allocated district wide duties by the superintendent or deputy superintendent and becomes privy to confidential information of the Board.

2.   Term and Effective Date

2.1   This agreement will become effective September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005. The two parties may, at any time, by mutual agreement negotiate revisions of this agreement. Any such revisions mutually agreed shall become effective from such dates as shall be mutually agreed upon by the parties.

2.2   Notice in writing of intent to commence bargaining must be given by either party any time during the period 60 to 150 days before the date of expiry of the collective agreement. Should such notice not be given, this agreement shall be deemed in full force and effect for a minimum period of one full year commencing with the first day of September immediately following.

2.3   It is agreed between the parties that the provisions contained in the collective agreement shall permit the Board to retain and not pass on to teachers any reduction of premium otherwise required under the Canada Employment and Immigration Commission effective January 1, 1978.

3.   Salary Scale

3.1   All sums mentioned herein are "per annum" unless specifically stated otherwise.

3.2   Teachers shall be paid on the third last teaching day of the month, either by depositing their net salary in their bank accounts or delivery of their cheque to their place of work. July and August salaries will be paid on the regular June pay day upon request.

3.3   The years of teacher education and the years of teaching experience, computed as hereinafter provided, shall together determine the basic salary rate for each teacher employed by the Board. See Appendix A for “Grid Restructuring Roll-up Document”.

TABLE I

Salary Grids Effective September 1, 2004:

4.   Additional Allowances

In addition to the basic salary rate as set forth in 3.3 above, there shall be paid an administration allowance in accordance with the following schedule:

4.1   Principal's allowance shall be paid as follows:

Effective September 1, 2004:

4.1.1   A vice-principal shall be paid 50 per cent of the principal's allowance.

4.1.2   When a principal or vice-principal is transferred from one school to another at the request of the Board, the Board will red circle the administrative allowance received. This will result in the maintenance of the annual allowance being received at the time of the transfer until such time as the provisions of the collective agreement entitle the principal or vice-principal to an annual allowance which is greater than that being received as a result of the red circling. This does not apply if a principal or vice-principal requests a transfer.

4.2   As appointed by the superintendent, a coordinator shall receive:

a) $3,320 per appointment effective September 1, 2004–August 31, 2005

4.3   In addition to their regular salary, substitute administrators will be paid, per day worked as a substitute administrator, 1/200 of the allowance of the administrator being replaced.

5.   Substitute Teachers

5.1   A substitute teacher shall be paid as follows:

Effective September 1, 2004

–$179.36 per day of teaching inclusive of holiday pay

–$89.68 per half day of teaching inclusive of holiday pay

5.2   For the purpose of this clause, substitute teachers with less than 4 years training will be compensated as though they had 4 years training.

Notwithstanding clause 5.1, a substitute teacher who substitutes for the same teacher or in the same assignment for a period of more than five consecutive days shall be paid according to the teacher’s grid placement as per clause 3.3 commencing with the sixth day of the assignment.

5.3   Effective September 1, 1991, substitute teachers shall be eligible for a salary experience increment upon the accumulation of each 180 full days of substitute teaching with the Board. Only those days accumulated after September 1, 1991 will be applicable for the administration of this clause. Substitute teaching for other Boards shall not be applicable for the administration of this clause.

6.   Vocational Teachers

6.1   Initial placement will be based on trade training and trade experience. For initial placement purposes a vocational teacher will be placed at four years training and zero experience on table I. Zero level counts as the first year of vocational training, thereafter the teacher will be granted an increment under “four years training” for each year of additional training. In addition a full increment under “four years training” will be granted for each year of experience in trade up to the maximum figure of step eight, “four years training” on table I.

The Board will pay for the use of one certificate, the highest rated certificate the teacher possesses in the trade area related to the subject to be taught.

The following maximum allowable years of training to obtain the trade certificate which will be recognized for placement on table I will be as follows:

TABLE II

The vocational teacher will advance beyond his or her initial placement column on table I according to his or her TQS evaluation.

7.   Years of Experience

7.1   Annual increments up to the maximum salary as outlined in clause 3.3 shall be paid for each completed year of service with the Board and for each completed year of service with other Boards and for other approved educational authorities. No teacher shall earn more than one experience increment in any one school year. A teacher commencing employment with the Board shall supply to the Board written confirmation from the previous Board(s) certifying the experience with the Board(s) within 15 calendar days of the commencement of employment. Until verification of experience is supplied, the teacher shall be placed at minimum experience shown on the grid.

7.2   Adjustment date for increments shall be September 1 or February 1 of each school year provided no teacher receives more than one increment in any one school year.

7.3   A year of teaching experience shall be considered to be 120 days of service with this Board in the application of clause 7.

7.4   Any teacher who has completed one year's satisfactory service under a one year term contract shall be placed on permanent staff the following year if his or her service is required by the Board. Notification of appointment or non-appointment must be given to the teacher 60 days before the end of the temporary contract.

8.   Years of Teacher Education

8.1   Teacher Qualifications Service

(a) The evaluation of teacher education for salary purposes shall be determined by a statement of qualification issued by the Alberta Teachers' Association Teacher Qualifications Service (TQS) in accordance with the policies and principles approved by the Teacher Salary Qualifications Board.

(b) The teacher commencing employment with the Board shall supply a statement of qualifications from the Teacher Qualifications Service at the time of entering into a contract of employment with the Board.

(c) Until the teacher submits the TQS evaluation, the teacher shall be placed, upon receipt by the Board of his/her teaching experience verification, at one year below grid position claimed, or at 0 years experience, whichever is higher.

(d) When a teacher commencing employment with the Board submits a TQS evaluation after employment has commenced, the TQS evaluation for salary purposes shall be retroactive to the date of employment, subject to the provisions of clause 8.2.

(e) Adjustment to evaluation due to further training will be made twice each year, October and February, for all teachers submitting an amended TQS evaluation showing that their qualifications have increased by September 1 or January 1 of each school year. If a teacher can supply evidence that conditions beyond his or her control have precluded receipt of a revised evaluation, this period shall be extended to 45 days beyond the October and February adjustment period.

8.2   Claims for salary adjustments shall not be considered retroactive for years prior to the school year in which the claim is initiated.

9.   Part-Time Teachers

9.1   A part-time teacher shall be paid a salary equal to the per centage of his/her teaching time compared to that of a full-time teacher. For the application of the clause a full-time teaching assignment will be 1,350 minutes.

9.2   Part-time teachers who provide teacher service under contract with the Board, which contract covers a period of time which includes all of the teaching days of the school year; for a minimum equivalent of 120 teaching days, shall be eligible for one teaching experience increment.

(a) Such teaching experience must be earned within three consecutive years of full- or part-time service with this Board. When the 120 day requirement has been met, the teacher shall not begin to accumulate credit toward another year of teaching experience until the commencement of another school year.

(b) Credit for such increment payment is subject to clause 7.1 of this agreement.

9.3   Any teacher employed on a full-time (1.00 FTE) continuous contract as of September 1, 1994 who agrees to employment on a part-time contract shall be given a part-time continuing contract for an agreed upon period and notwithstanding section 103(2) of the School Act, that contract shall be for a specified portion of a full-time equivalent which shall not be varied except by consent.

9.4   At the end of the initial or any subsequent time period the teacher shall return to a full-time contract unless, prior to May 1, the teacher and the Board agree to renew the part-time contract arrangement, for a new time period. Nothing in this clause precludes any change in the contract by mutual consent.

9.5   The teacher shall be returned to a mutually agreed on position or returned to the position held prior to the part-time teaching assignment. Should the position no longer exist, the teacher shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher's experience and training. Should the teacher continue in the part-time position beyond one year, when returning to a full-time position shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher's experience and training.

10.   Job Sharing Teachers

10.1   In the event two teachers currently employed by the Board, with at least one being a full-time teacher, wish to share one full-time teaching position, the following shall apply:

(a) The full-time equivalent of the teachers sharing a full-time position shall not exceed one full-time equivalent assignment based on assigned minutes consistent with other full-time assignments in the school in which they teach.

(b) Article 9 does not apply to any teachers who are job sharing.

(c) A proposal signed by both teachers shall be provided to the principal, no later than May 1 of the school year immediately preceding the year in which the job sharing is to take place.

(d) For each job sharing teacher, the Board shall pay full AHC and ASEBP premiums but all other benefits will be prorated, based on the per centage of assigned time for each of the teachers which, in any event, cumulatively cannot exceed 100 per cent.

(e) The teacher, when returning to his/her initial status, shall be returned to a mutually agreed on position or returned to the position held prior to the job sharing assignment. Should the previous position no longer exist, or failing mutual agreement as to placement, the teacher shall be placed in a position that is commensurate with the teacher’s experience and training.

10.2   Teachers participating in job sharing shall be paid a portion of their grid salary proportionate to the per centage of the full-time position assigned to each teacher.

10.3   Approval of a job sharing assignment is subject to the needs of the school and the approval of the superintendent.

11.   Health Care Benefits

11.1   Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan - Membership in group insurance plans operated by the Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan Board shall be a condition of employment of all eligible employees. The Board's payment to the Alberta School Employee Benefit Schedule II Life and Plan D ASEBP extended disability benefit covering teachers employed by the Board shall be up to the maximum monthly premium payable.

11.2   Alberta Health Care Premium - Effective September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005 the Board's contribution to Alberta Health Care shall be a rate of 100 per cent for each enrolled employee's premium.

11.3   Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan Extended Health Care Plan I - The Board shall contribute to the monthly premium payable per teacher to a maximum effective September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005.

- Single - 100 per cent

- Family - 100 per cent.

11.4   Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan – Vision Care Plan 3 – The Board shall contribute to the monthly premium payable per teacher to a maximum effective September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005.

- Single - 100 per cent

- Family - 100 per cent.

11.5   Alberta School Employee Benefit Plan - Dental Care Plan 3 - The Board shall contribute the monthly premium payable per teacher to a maximum effective September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005.

- Single - 100 per cent

- Family - 100 per cent.

12.   Sick Leave

12.1   Annual sick leave with pay shall be granted to a teacher for the purpose of obtaining necessary medical or dental treatment due to accident, sickness or disability for 90 calendar days.

12.2   A teacher who has been absent due to medical disability shall upon return to duty, be entitled to an additional sick leave benefit in the current year of 90 calendar days.

12.3   A teacher who is absent from school duties to obtain necessary medical or dental treatment or because of accident, disability or sickness shall be required to present a signed statement giving the reason for such absence and if the absence is for a period of more than five consecutive days, may be required to present a medical certificate. For absences of a period in excess of 30 calendar days the employee may, at the discretion of the Board, be called upon to furnish a further medical certificate at the end of each month during the duration of the sick leave.

13.   Compassionate Leave

13.1   Leave necessitated by the critical illness or death of a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, nephew or niece of an employee or their spouse; or other relatives who are members of the employee's household; or other persons at the discretion of the superintendent shall be granted with pay by the Board as follows:

(a) Up to and including five days for critical illness.

(b) Up to and including five days for death.

13.2   Leave necessitated by the critical illness or death of an aunt, uncle; aunt or uncle of spouse; shall be granted leave with pay by the Board as follows:

(a) One day for critical illness.

(b) One day for death.

13.3   At the superintendent's discretion, a maximum of two extra days for travel may be allowed. The cost of the substitute shall be paid by the Board.

14.   Family Illness

14.1   Up to three days leave with pay shall be granted annually to a teacher to care for immediate family members who are ill or require out of town medical or dental treatment.

15.   Maternity Leave

15.1   Teachers are entitled to maternity leave for a maximum period of 15 weeks commencing on a date of their choosing.

15.2   Whenever possible, written notice of intent to take such leave must be forwarded to the superintendent or designate at least six weeks prior to commencement of the leave.

15.3   The Board shall pay the portion of the teacher’s benefit premiums specified in Article 11 of this collective agreement for the duration of the maternity leave.

15.4   The Board shall implement a supplemental unemployment benefits (SUB) plan which shall provide teachers on maternity leave with 95 per cent of gross salary during the health related portion of the leave. A teacher, who is not eligible for employment insurance benefits, is entitled to access sick leave in accordance with article 12 of this collective agreement for the duration of the health related portion of the maternity leave.

15.5   At least four weeks prior to the date on which the teacher intends to return to work, written notice must be forwarded to the superintendent or designate.

15.6   Following the leave, a teacher shall be returned to a mutually agreed upon position or to the position held at the commencement of the leave. Should the position no longer exist, the teacher shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher's experience and training.

16.   Adoption/Parental Leave

16.1   Upon request, the Board shall grant adoption/parental leave for a period of up to one year. Adoption/parental leave which does not exceed 30 consecutive days shall be leave without payment of salary. Adoption/parental leave which exceeds 30 consecutive days shall be leave without payment of salary and without contributions by the Board to benefits.

(a) Whenever possible, written notice of intent to take such leave must be forwarded to the superintendent or designate at least six weeks prior to the commencement of the leave.

(b) At least four weeks prior to the date on which the teacher intends to return to work, written notice must be forwarded to the superintendent or designate.

16.2   Commencement of leave shall occur the day the child comes into full care of the teacher. Leave may commence earlier if agreed to by the Board.

16.3   Following the leave, a teacher shall return to a mutually agreed upon position or to the position occupied at the commencement of the leave. Should the position no longer exist, the teacher shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher's experience and training.

16.4   A teacher shall be granted up to a maximum of three days paid leave for the purpose of completing the necessary documentation and requirements involved in the adoption and receipt of a child.

17.   Paternity Leave

17.1   In the event of the wife of an employee giving birth to a child, two days with pay shall be granted to the husband and this leave shall be taken within 14 calendar days of the birth.

18.   Attendance At Court

18.1   Leave of absence with pay shall be granted to a teacher

(a) for jury duty or any summons related thereto.

(b) to answer a subpoena or summons to attend any court proceeding as a witness in a cause other than a teacher's own.

19.   Personal Leave

19.1.1   Leave with pay for up to two days per school year, for personal reasons, shall be granted upon notification to the superintendent or designate. These days shall be granted with no deduction to the teacher’s salary. Unused days referred to in this clause shall accumulate to a maximum of four days.

19.1.2   Leave with pay for up to one day per school year, for personal reasons, shall be granted upon written notification to the superintendent or designate. An amount equal to the salary paid to the substitute teacher hired as a replacement shall be deducted from the teacher’s salary.

19.1.3   Leave with pay for up to one day per school year, for personal reasons, shall be granted upon written notification to the superintendent or designate. An amount equal to the cost of a substitute teacher as defined in clause 5.1 shall be deducted from the teacher’s salary.

19.1.4   These personal leave days may be taken in any order.

19.1.5   No more than two personal days may be taken in May/June. Exceptions to this practice may be granted by the superintendent upon written application.

19.1.6   Requests for leaves under this clause shall not be used to extend summer, Christmas or Easter/spring breaks. Leaves that coincide with the aforementioned breaks, but are not for the purpose of extending the breaks, may be granted by the superintendent upon written application.

19.2   On written application, the Board through the superintendent may grant personal leave. Personal leave which does not exceed 30 consecutive days shall be leave without payment of salary. Personal leave which exceeds 30 consecutive days shall be leave without payment of salary and without contributions by the Board to benefits.

19.3   After a minimum of five years service with the school Board a teacher may take a one school year's leave of absence without pay and without Board contributions to benefits. Notice shall be given by April 30 and the response shall be given by the Board before May 15 of the year in which the leave commences. Following the expiration of the leave, the teacher shall be returned to a mutually agreed upon position or to the position occupied at the commencement of the leave. Should the position no longer exist, the teacher shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher's experience and training. No more than five teachers shall receive such leave in one school year. A period of leave of absence which has been used to attend university shall be considered as equal to a period of classroom service for the purpose of determining service and salary status.

19.4   Where there is an agreement between the teacher and the Board to extend the leave of absence, that teacher shall, at the termination of the leave, be returned to a mutually agreed upon position or the teacher shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher's training and experience.

20.   Professional Development

20.1   The Board supports the professional development of teachers in its employ and specifically requests that teachers continuously seek to improve their professional qualifications and abilities by taking courses for that purpose.

20.2   Annually the Board shall contribute 2.5 times category 4 max (as indicated in clause 3.3) to a Professional Development Fund. All unexpended monies shall accrue to the fund for use in the following or subsequent years with the exception of the criteria outlined in clause 20.3.

20.3   In the event that 3 sabbaticals are available and only 2 or 2.5 are accessed, an amount of 0.75 or 0.375 times category 4 max, respectively, shall be deducted from the fund and returned to the Board.

20.4   The Professional Development Fund shall be used to pay for the following: tuition fees for all university credit courses and for other courses approved in writing by the committee referred to in clause 20.5, taken by teachers who are employed by the Board and who were under contract with the Board when the course was taken.

20.5   The Professional Development Fund Committee shall be composed of four teacher representatives selected by the ATA Local Economic Policy Committee Chair, a Board member who shall sit as chair of the committee and the superintendent or designate.

20.6   The Professional Development Fund Committee will determine the number of professional improvement leaves granted each year by November 30. The number will be based on the amount of funds available in the Professional Development Fund account after the tuition fees have been dispensed. Tuition fee shall be paid first from the Professional Development Fund.

20.7   Submission Procedures: The deadline for submission of claims for payment of tuition fees is September 30 of each year. Teachers shall submit their request for payment of receipted tuition fees for courses taken in the 12 month period preceding September 30 to the superintendent or designate.

20.8   The Board shall forward the submissions, referred to in clause 20.7 in their entirety to the Professional Development Fund Committee by October 15.

20.9   Approval procedure for non-university credit courses: Teachers seeking approval of non-university credit courses for the purpose of professional development shall make a written submission outlining their intent to the superintendent or designate. The submissions will be forwarded to the Professional Development Fund Committee for approval. The Professional Development Fund Committee will review the submissions and assess the merit of each on the basis of the potential benefit to the teacher in terms of professional and/or personal growth and wellness. The superintendent or designate shall notify the teacher regarding the disposition of their application within 30 days of having received the application.

20.10   Payment of tuition fees: Teachers shall receive payment by November 30 for tuition and other mandatory fees for university credit courses and fees for courses approved in writing to a maximum of $5,000 per teacher per 12 month period.

21.   Professional Improvement Leave

21.1   Professional improvement leave (PIL) shall mean a leave of absence granted by the Board for the purpose of study approved by the Board for improving the teacher’s professional education.

21.2   To be eligible for PIL under clause 21.1, the teacher shall have served the Board for a minimum of five years.

21.3   The Professional Development Fund Committee (clause 20.5) shall review all applications for PIL and assess the merit of each application in relation to the following factors:

- the contribution made by the applicant to the district and to the profession,

- the benefit of the applicant’s chosen form of study in terms of professional education and relevant value to the district, the profession and the applicant,

- the applicant’s length and continuity of service to the district, and 

- the length of service since a previous PIL was granted to the applicant.

21.4   The written application for PIL shall include the following:

- an indication of the merit of the activities to be undertaken during the proposed leave,

- responses to the factors to be considered by the committee as indicated in clause 21.3, and

- requested start date and length of leave. Leave shall normally be for a period of one school year. Leave may be for shorter periods on a prorated basis.

21.5   All applications for PIL shall be submitted in writing to the superintendent or designate by January 23 preceding the school year in which the leave is to commence.

21.6   The superintendent or designate shall submit all applications for PIL to the Professional Development Fund Committee by February 1. The superintendent or designate shall convene a meeting of the Professional Development Fund Committee by February 8.

21.7   If an interview is necessary, applicants shall be notified by the superintendent or designate by February 15. If interviews are necessary they shall be conducted by February 22. The committee shall submit to the district, the names of the successful applicants by March 1. All applicants shall be notified by the superintendent or designate the disposition of their application by March 8.

21.8   Applicants who are granted leave will be reimbursed according to the collective agreement in effect for the year in which they are on leave.

21.9   A teacher granted  PIL shall receive 75 per cent of his/her grid placement at the time of the leave. Salary is payable in accordance with article 3.

21.10   A teacher who is granted PIL shall return to duties following expiration of the leave for a period of at least two years.

21.11   If a teacher does not return to duties following the leave, then the salary together with all benefits and premiums paid by the Board on behalf of the teacher during the leave, with interest accruing from June 30 of the leave year at the prime rate of bank interest per cent per annum, shall be repaid by the teacher.

21.12   Except as provided in clause 21.13, when a teacher who returns to the district and has commenced fulfillment of the return commitment, fails to complete that commitment, then the salary, benefit premiums paid by the Board to, or on behalf of, the teacher during the leave period in proportion to that portion of the commitment which is incomplete, shall be repaid by the teacher as provided in clause 21.11.

21.13   Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of illness of the teacher or other circumstances, the Board may postpone or cancel the period of teaching service prescribed in clause 21.10 and may provide terms for the payment of any sums owed to the Board by the teacher who has not commenced or completed the period of teaching service.

21.14   A period of PIL shall be considered as equal to a period of classroom service for the purpose of determining service and salary status.

21.15   For the purpose of scheduling, the teacher on leave shall advise the Board, not later than March 31 of the year as to their preferred assignment.

21.16   A teacher shall return to a mutually agreed upon position or to the position occupied at the commencement of the leave. Should the position no longer exist, the teacher shall be placed in a position commensurate with the teacher’s experience and training.

22.   Early Leave

22.1   Early leave shall be granted by the Board upon application for study at university or other institutions providing courses acceptable to a committee composed of two teacher representatives selected by the EPC chairman and two Board representatives.

22.2   A written application under this clause shall be made through the superintendent to a committee composed of two teacher representatives selected by the EPC chairman and two Board representatives, which shall determine if the leave is granted.

22.3   Not more than four leaves shall be granted in the same school year. All applications will be reviewed by the committee outlined in clause 21.1. Applications for leave shall be submitted by October 1 or March 1. The committee shall submit to the Board a list of recommended applicants, designating candidates by merit, after considering the seniority and qualifications of each applicant and the interest of the school system. All applicants shall be notified of the Board decision within one month.

22.4   A teacher shall have deducted 1/200 of regular annual salary per day of leave and shall be paid 1/200 of 75 per cent of his/her grid placement at time of leave per day of early leave.

23.   Noon-Hour Supervision

23.1   A school staff may implement a noon-hour supervision program on a non-profit or cost recovery basis.

24.   Extracurricular Activities

24.1   The parties recognize the value of extracurricular activities including the participation of teachers. However, teacher participation in extracurricular activities is voluntary. Should a teacher decide to participate in such activities the teacher will not be paid for such service.

25.   Teacher Trustee Liaison Committee

25.1   The parties to the agreement recognize that the policy statement referring to the teacher trustee liaison committee continues in effect upon the signing of this agreement and remains in effect during the term of this agreement.

26.   Personnel Files

26.1   Upon two days notice a teacher shall have access to his/her personnel file.

27.   Canada Savings Bond

27.1   The Board shall provide a Canada Savings Bond Purchase Plan whereby teachers may purchase these bonds through monthly deductions.

28.   Parking

28.1   Parking/Plug-ins--Parking, including plug-ins, shall be at no cost to the teacher.

29.   Grievance Procedure

29.1   There shall be established a grievance committee composed of two representatives of the Board and two members of the Grande Prairie Public School District No 2357 teaching staff, appointed by the Trumpeter ATA Local No 26.

(a) It shall be the duty of this committee to meet and endeavor to resolve all grievances concerning the alleged violation in the interpretation, application, omission or operation of any part of this agreement.

(b) A quorum of this committee shall consist of all members.

29.2   Any teacher who considers that he or she has a grievance arising out of this agreement shall promptly lodge in writing the statement of the nature of this grievance to the chairman of the economic policy committee, who shall supply a copy of the statement to the secretary-treasurer of the Board.

29.3   If the grievance has not been settled within 15 school days after the date of submission of the grievance, the chairman of the economic policy committee shall, within five school days thereafter, give written notice to the secretary-treasurer of the Board and to the members of the grievance committee requesting consideration of the grievance. Unless mutually agreed, the grievance committee shall meet within 10 school days of the written notice from the chairman of the economic policy committee to the secretary-treasurer of the Board.

29.4   If the committee reaches a unanimous decision as to the disposition of any grievance, that decision shall be final and binding.

29.5   If the committee does not reach a unanimous decision and the grievance is not withdrawn each party shall appoint one member as its representative on an arbitration board and the two members so appointed shall endeavor to select an independent chairperson. If they fail to do this they shall apply to the Director of Mediation Services to select a chairperson.

29.6   This arbitration board shall determine its own procedure and its decision will be final.

29.7   This arbitration board shall not change, modify or alter any of the terms of this agreement.

30.   Cancellation of All Previous Agreements

30.1   All previous agreements, schedules and regulations between or affecting the parties are hereby cancelled.

31.   Salary Reduction

31.1   Nothing herein contained shall reduce the salary of a teacher below the amount payable immediately prior to the effective date of this collective agreement.

32.   Northern Travel Benefit

32.1   For those teachers who are eligible and for the purposes of this collective agreement, $4,000 of the annual salary, as set out in article 3 of this agreement shall be considered to be a travel assistance benefit paid in a designated area as defined by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and shall be indicated as such in the appropriate box on the annual T4 slip. The provision of this benefit shall in no fashion add to the cost of salary or benefits to the employer and shall be in accordance with the provisions set by CRA.

33.   Agreement Signatures

33.1   This agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the parties and their successors.

LETTER OF INTENT

School Year

The Board will establish a school year based on the following:

The school year shall consist of a maximum of 188 instructional days and 10 non-instructional days. The non-instructional days shall be allocated for purposes of teacher convention, teacher professional development, parent-teacher conferences and staff organization days.