LEA seeks RIF-procedure language in negotiated agreement to preserve staff input

During a Lakeland District interest-based bargaining working session, LEA representatives asked that the district insert the reduction-in-force (RIF) procedures — specifically policies 5740, 5740P and 5740F — into the negotiated agreement so the LEA would retain a procedural role if a RIF were ever required.

An LEA participant said the goal of including the policies in the negotiated agreement is to ensure a ‘‘team approach’’ and to preserve the procedures the LEA helped develop. "If you put it in the negotiated agreement then there's kind of there's there," a participant said, explaining that doing so would give LEA representatives formal notice and an opportunity to negotiate any mid-term changes.

Board members and staff responded that state statute governs RIF authority and that a future board cannot be legally encumbered by prior boards’ policy choices. One board member clarified that while referencing the policy with an "adopted on" date could preserve the record of what was agreed to at this time, Idaho Code would supersede any conflicting language.

Staff suggested compromise language that would reference Policy 5740 and the related procedure and form "as adopted on February 5th, 2025," and would state that any subsequent changes should go through the IBB process or policy committee for review during future negotiations. The group discussed specific procedural items the LEA wanted to preserve in the agreement, including the point-scoring form, which building administrators and HR would use to calculate RIF points and which the LEA said reflected substantial LEA input.

No formal motion was made. Participants agreed to draft a clause referencing the adopted policy and procedures with date language and to continue negotiating the precise wording at the next session.