Voluntary Surplus


Voluntary Surplus follows the same path as a mathematical surplus, except there is no ability to return to the school from which they have surplus from.

L23.04

A 1.0 FTE Teacher may voluntarily declare themselves surplus from their school. Parameters are based on staff allocations to schools for the following school year.

  1. A Teacher must notify their Principal of their intent to voluntary declare themselves
  2. surplus, on April 17, by submitting the Voluntary Surplus Declaration form, available in the Employee Portal.
  3. A Teacher who has voluntarily declared themselves surplus waives their rights to Articles L23.07 and L25.50.
  4. It is understood that a voluntary surplus declaration may only be denied if a Teacher is:

i. currently experiencing difficulty as referenced in the Procedures for the Supervision of Teaching Staff, and/or receiving formal support from Human Resources and the Union, or

ii. currently teaching on a Letter of Permission or is newly hired as referenced in Article L16.14

iii. currently receiving support from Human Resources and the Union or are being facilitated through other staffing options.

Voluntary Surplus applications are due to the school principal by April 17. This is 2 days after the last day for members to receive their notification of assignment.

The following parameters will determine the eligibility within the school:

i. A school with fewer than 11 Teachers may have up to three (3) voluntary surplus declarations.

ii. A school with 11 to 20 Teachers may have up to five (5) voluntary surplus declarations.

iii. A school with 21 to 35 Teachers may have up to seven (7) voluntary surplus declarations.

iv. A school with more than 35 Teachers may have up to nine (9) voluntary surplus  declarations.

v. Should the requests exceed the numbers outlined in (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, seniority will determine those Teachers who are eligible to voluntarily declare themselves surplus.

L24.05 The Principal shall meet with each Teacher who has submitted a request to    be declared voluntarily surplus. Those who are declared voluntarily surplus within  the parameters outlined in L24.04 will be provided written confirmation of their status prior to April 30.

Placement of Teachers

L22.17 The Committee or designate(s) shall place any remaining surplus Teachers and Teachers returning from an extended Leave of Absence in accordance with Article L25.45 and place any remaining part-time Teachers seeking increased time in accordance with Article L25.48.

L25.48 Step A

Any surplus Teacher or Teacher returning from a leave of absence of more than one (1) school year who remains unplaced at the conclusion of the Transfer Process – Round Two shall be asked by the Superintendent of Human Resources for their preference of placement in regards to geographic areas, grade or subject. The District Staffing Committee or designate(s), giving due regard to the Teacher’s placement preference will then place in seniority order, any unplaced Teacher in an existing vacant position for which the Teacher is qualified. Upon notification, the designates will inform the Teacher of the timeline to accept an offered position.

It is understood that a Teacher may be denied a surplus placement into an assignment/school for reasons that have been mutually agreed upon by the Board and the Union.

After Round 2, if a teacher remains surplus, they will be placed into an assignment prior to Round 3.  Surplus teachers will receive a Preference of Placement Form from HR. On the form they will indicate their preferred geographic area, assignment and qualifications. HR has the right to deny offering assignments for reasons deemed valid. HR will not place members into positions for which they do not hold qualifications. Members may use the preference form to indicate which preference is most important. For example, some members will travel further for a specific assignment, while others will teach any assignment, but geography is a priority. Exceptionals will also be considered, such as the need to be placed along a bus route.

 Surplus Placements are done by a joint committee consisting of a human resources staffing supervisor/manager and a local ETFO officer. Placements are done in seniority order. The placement committee looks at available assignments and submitted preference forms. The committee attempts to give three assignment choices for each surplus teacher.  The surplus teacher is called and given the options, of which they choose one. Choices have to be made while on the placement call, as the next surplus teacher cannot be contacted until the previous teacher selects their assignment. A couple of minutes may be granted to explore locations.

Considerations Before Considering Voluntary Surplus

Voluntary Surplus is an excellent tool for members seeking a change in school. It is not for everyone and does come with risk.  Below are some points to consider before applying for a Voluntary Surplus.

  • Surplus Placements occur after Round 2 of Spring Staffing.  Some school sites and positions are popular. Rarely during Voluntary Surplus are there any positions at high demand locations or in non-classroom assignments.
  • The number of positions available during spring staffing fluctuates year to year.  There will be more positions available to select from during times of population growth and less during times of decline or funding reductions.   
  • Surplus Placement is based on seniority.  The more seniority a member has, the more positions there will be for the committee to select from.
  • All voluntary surplus candidates should be prepared to receive a classroom assignment.

Voluntary Surplus is good for members, looking for change in location who have flexibility in their teaching assignment and location.

Voluntary Surplus is not meant for members looking to get into a specific school or assignment.