Yes.  In fact, the contract requires the administration to first determine if there are any qualified volunteers for excessing.  The contract defines a qualified volunteer as an assistant in the job classification (general or paraprofessional) identified for excessing, who is in a position that can be filled by another assistant with the same number of hours who would otherwise be excessed.

Educational assistants with the least systemwide seniority are to be excessed first.  The contract states: "In any reduction of educational assistants by excessing, those within the building with the greatest systemwide seniority shall be retained without a reduction in hours provided they have the necessary qualifications for the work available and there are positions with the appropriate number of hours available."

Based on past practice and grievances, in almost all situations, a general educational assistant after a reasonable and appropriate training period has the "necessary qualifications" for any general assistant position.  Likewise, in almost all situations, a paraprofessional after a reasonable and appropriate training period has the necessary qualifications for any paraprofessional position.

Ask an MTEA staff member if there is any question about "necessary qualifications"  being used as an exception to seniority rights.

Yes.  In fact there is a contractual "bilingual-paraprofessional" position description.  EAs in bilingual positions must be bilingual.

No.  Excessing is by systemwide seniority.  It's how long you have worked as an EA, not how long you have been at the school.

No.  EAs with the least systemwide seniority are excessed - regardless of how their positions are funded. 

For example, suppose your school has just two 30-hour paraprofessional positions - one funded by Title I and the other by special education.  Suppose the Title I position is not being funded for next school year, and the person in the position is more senior. 

In this example, the more senior paraprofessional would remain at the school and be assigned to the special education position next year.  The less senior paraprofessional would be excessed.

If you are identified as excessed, you will most likely not have a position at your current school in the fall.  However, your situation could change between now and the start of next school year. 

There may be changes - based on the school board's final budget action or an unexpected increase in state and/or federal funding over the summer.  There may be personnel changes at your school due to leaves, resignations, retirements, etc. 

If your position is reinstated by the first student day of next school year, the contract allows you to return to your school.

No!  Excessing means only that you will not have a position at your current school.  Excessing does not mean that you are out of a job with MPS.  Layoffs are handled on a systemwide basis under a contractual process that is completely separate from excessing.