Thinking about a transfer?  Read this!

If you think there’s any possibility you might not want to stay in your current position for next year, LWEA recommends that you apply for a transfer.  You can always remove your name from the list or turn down an offer and stay where you are, but you can’t get on the list if you miss the February 16 deadline. 

Think of placing your name on the transfer list like an insurance policy---if your grade level or assignment changes later this spring, you might have some options for a move if you’re on the list.  If you put your name on the list for this reason, we recommend telling your principal that it’s nothing personal---you’re just covering yourself in case circumstances change. 

Here are some things to know about transferring: 

·         The deadline is 4:30 pm on Tuesday, February 16.  Forms must be in HR by that time.
·         You can list as many schools/grades as you like.
·         You can turn down one transfer offer and still remain on the list.
·         If you turn down a second offer, you’re removed from the list and will remain in your current  location.
·         You can only transfer to a similar position, such as classroom teacher to classroom teacher, unless you were hired before the 1986-87 school year.
·         You can only transfer to the same FTE, such as 1.0 to 1.0, unless you were hired before the 1986-87 school year.
·         You must hold certification in the area(s) you’re requesting.
·         You must be “highly qualified” under NCLB for the position you’re requesting.
·         You must have a continuing contract.
·         You must have at least two successive years of proficient evaluations in the Lake Washington School District.
·         The transfer list remains active until the Friday before school starts.
·         The seniority used for transfer purposes is your building seniority (how long you’ve been in your current building).
·         If you’ve been in your building for 5 or more years, you get 5 days of pay to transition to your new assignment.
·         If you want to simply switch positions with another teacher in the district, you can request to do so through the “Intra-District Exchange Teacher Program” described on page 35 of the LWEA/LWSD contract. 

If you are a specialist: 

·         You can request to be reassigned to an equivalent position in another location.
·         The deadline is the same as for transfers---February 16 this year.
·         Seniority is based on district seniority.
·         Special Ed, Safety Net, and ELL teachers who have been in their current position for 5 or more years receive 5 days of pay to transition to their new assignment.
·         Specialists and special education teachers who want to transfer out of their area may do so after they’ve been employed by the district in their area for at least 3 years.
·         The district can refuse to grant a transfer of a special education teacher for up to three years, but rarely does so.
·         Certain district-wide programs, such as Quest, elementary music, and elementary PE, are treated as departments, and individuals may be moved by the district to other sites within the program.