LOC DBAB – GCSD Teacher Lane Change Policy

GCSD Teacher Lane Change Policy – Licensed Employees

Teachers requesting a lane change on the salary schedule must meet the following criteria:

  1. Pre Approval of Coursework:
    • All coursework intended to qualify for a lane change must receive prior approval from the District School Board.
    • Coursework must be directly relevant to education, leadership or to a content area in which a teacher may be assigned. Coursework outside these parameters may not be considered for a lane change.   
    • Coursework typically must be postgraduate level.  The board may however incentivise other courses based on the needs of the district.  (For example a math teacher who is moving to SPED because it would be in the best interest of the district)
      1. All employees must become qualified on their time and money for the position they applied for without any expectation of lane change. 
  2. Relevant Degrees:
    • Master’s or doctorate degrees must be directly relevant to education or to the content area in which the teacher is or may be assigned. Degrees outside these parameters will not be considered for a lane change.
  3. Salary Placement for New Employees:
    • New employees in Garfield County School District will be placed on the salary schedule at the time of hire, as determined by the superintendent and the board. Once an employee is placed on the salary schedule, the board will not renegotiate their placement and only new credit earned after the date of hire will be considered for a lane change.  

Additional Notes:

  • Any employee who began a program or course with the intention of applying for a lane change will continue to be subject to our previous lane change policy until Spring of 2026.
  • The Garfield County School Board of Education retains the authority to determine the credit to be awarded for placement on the District’s teacher salary schedule, in accordance with any applicable terms in the negotiated agreement.
  • All other aspects of salary step and lane placement will follow established district policies and procedures.

This policy ensures transparency and fairness in lane change requests and maintains a focus on professional growth directly tied to classroom instruction and content expertise.