Reform Panel
Article 1403

1403.01
The Reform Panel shall facilitate the implementation of (a) initiatives directed at the improvement of teaching and learning conditions in the District, (b) requests for variances that may be submitted by school based shared decision-making cabinets, and (c) instructional and curricular recommendations that may be made by committees created by the panel. The panel shall operate as a joint committee as provided in Article 506 of this Agreement.

1403.02
The panel shall have the authority to grant and cancel variances to this Agreement and shall have the authority to require variances in practice in one or more schools. The panel may grant variances for a specific period of time; if not, the variances shall continue until changed. School based shared decision-making cabinets may apply for renewal of variances which are scheduled to expire. Approval by the panel shall require a majority vote of the panel membership. Such approval shall not be unreasonably denied. Variances from this Agreement shall also require the approval of the Superintendent and Association President.

1403.03
All new programs or other initiatives approved by the panel which may result in variances in practice and all variances and all cancellations of variances approved by the panel shall be in writing and shall be signed by the panel chairperson, the Association President and the Superintendent. Any internal processing requirements by the separate parties prior to panel approval shall be left to the separate parties.

1403.04
The panel shall establish application forms and procedures for requesting variances. Such procedures must not require a majority vote by teachers in a building in support of the variance exceeding two-thirds (2/3). Such procedures must be consistent with this Agreement. In addition, to assist in the work of the panel, it shall form and direct committees, including a committee on state-mandated Competency Based Education. If a request for a variance has sufficient support from the building, the requested variance shall be added to the Reform Panel agenda for the next meeting.

1403.05
Notwithstanding Section 202.02 of this Agreement, if there is a panel-authorized shared decision-making cabinet in a school, the Association Building Council shall continue to perform the duties and functions of the ABC as provided in this Agreement, except when any of those duties and functions are assumed by such cabinet and the ABC has been so advised by the cabinet. In such a school the ABC shall be made up of the elected teacher members of the cabi-
net and the senior faculty representative, who shall serve on both. The cabinet shall have no authority with regard to the PAR Program.

1403.06
The panel shall begin operations with the ratification of this Agreement and shall continue in effect with full authority as provided herein and without regard to the term of this Agreement, until either party notifies the other in writing of its desire to terminate the panel. In the event of such notification, as with the PAR Panel, the authority of the Reform Panel shall be terminated thirty (30) days after such notification. All variances to this Agreement in effect at the time of termination shall be automatically canceled as shall all variances in practices required by the panel except those related to the implementation of state-mandated Competency Based Education or other legally mandated programs.

1403.07
During the thirty (30) day period between notification of cancellation and termination, the panel shall make every effort to provide for an orderly transition period by attempting to minimize problems resulting from the cancellation of variances. The parties recognize that educational sensibility and personnel considerations will not permit some variances to be phased out during this thirty (30) day transition period. No later than the date of termination of the panel, the Board will provide the Association with a timeline for completing the cancellation of any variances that cannot sensibly be com-
pleted during the thirty (30) day transition period. In addition, representatives of the Board and Association shall meet promptly and as necessary to discuss such orderly transition and to determine if the parties wish to retain any of the variances. Any variances to this Agreement which the parties wish to maintain must be processed as amendments to this Agreement.

1403.08
The Reform Panel shall be co-chaired by the Association President, or designee, and the Superintendent, or designee. The Reform Panel shall be made up of an equal number of teacher representatives and administration representatives.