3. The Superintendent shall make the transfer after conferring with the principals involved. Since the welfare of the system and the pupils of the system must be the primary concern in the transfer, qualifications of the teachers involved shall be the first consideration in any transfer. If the teachers who apply are equally qualified, seniority shall be considered in granting the transfer. The transfer shall be made at the discretion of the Superintendent; such discretion shall be based on the foregoing standards.
4. If the transfer is to be based on seniority and if the transfer is within the same building, seniority within the same building shall be considered.
5. If the transfer is to be based on seniority and if the transfer is between buildings, seniority within the system shall be considered.
6. When a reduction in the number of teachers in a school is necessary, qualified volunteers from the same school will be considered first.
7. An involuntary transfer shall be made only after a meeting between the teacher involved and the Superintendent or his designee, unless such a meeting is not held due to the unavailability of a teacher.
8. The rights set forth herein are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other rights available to teachers with professional teacher status under Massachusetts law.