2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §15-544  Limitations on reduction of salaries or personnel

A. A governing board may reduce salaries or eliminate certificated teachers in a school district in order to effectuate economies in the operation of the district or to improve the efficient conduct and administration of the schools of the school district, but no reduction in the salary of a certificated teacher who has been employed by the school district for more than the major portion of three consecutive school years shall be made except in accordance with a general salary reduction in the school district by which the teacher is employed, and in such case the reduction shall be applied equitably among all such teachers.

B. Notice of a general salary reduction shall be given each certificated teacher affected not later than May 15 before the fiscal year in which the reduction is to take effect.

C. A certificated teacher dismissed for reasons of economy or to improve the efficient conduct and administration of the schools of the school district shall have a preferred right of reappointment in the order of original employment by the governing board in the event of an increase in the number of certificated teachers or the reestablishment of services within a period of three years.

D. The provisions of this section do not apply to reductions in salary from monies from the classroom site fund pursuant to section 15-977.