Code No. 410

Staff Personnel

Leaves of Absence

410.1   Coverage.   Licensed and nonlicensed employees other than administrators and supervisors shall receive leaves of absence in accordance with the negotiated agreement with their bargaining representative.  Administrators, Supervisor of Transportation, Board of Education secretary, and Superintendent’s secretaries shall receive leaves of absence in accordance with this policy.

410.2   Sick Leave.   Administrators, supervisors, and nonlicensed employees, other than  temporary employees, shall be granted paid leave of absence for 15 days each year for personal illness or injury in accordance with the following schedule:

The above amounts shall apply to consecutive years of employment in the District.  Unused sick leave days may be accumulated and carried forward to subsequent years.  A maximum of one hundred thirty-five (135) days, including the current year allotment, may be accumulated.  Sick leave days shall be taken in one-fourth, one-half or full day increments.

The Board or Superintendent may require such medical evidence as the Board or  Superintendent deems necessary to substantiate a request for sick leave.

An employee injured or disabled on the job may be eligible to receive a weekly benefit under the Iowa Workers’ Compensation Law.  If an employee receives Workers’ Compensation benefits, the employee’s accumulated sick leave will be reduced proportionate to the amount of the benefits.  At such time, the employee may also elect to have their workers’ compensation benefits supplemented from the District by using either their earned sick leave, vacation leave, and/or earned compensatory time.  If  supplemental payments are elected, leave time will also be reduced proportionate to the amount of the supplemental payment.  When all leave time is exhausted supplemental payments will stop.  The employee shall notify the District if the employee desires to supplement workers’ compensation payments within seven days of receipt of the notice to make such election.  Failure to report within such time limit shall be treated as an election not to have the District supplement the benefits.

 

410.3   Family Illness.   Administrators, supervisors and nonlicensed employees, other than temporary employees, may be excused without loss of pay for ten (10) days annually in  the event of illness or injury in the family (parent, spouse, or children, said days to be deducted from the employee’s accumulated sick leave.

410.4   Personal Leave.   Administrators, supervisors, and nonlicensed employees, other than temporary employees, shall have two (2) days to be used for the employee’s personal affairs without loss of pay.  An employee planning to use a personal leave day or days shall notify his/her supervisor at least three (3) days in advance, if possible.  Employees shall not use personal leave for activities which result in remuneration to the employee.  The employee may be required to give a reason for the use of a personal leave day.  Personal leave days shall not be granted on days immediately preceding or following     scheduled holidays or recess periods, the first or last day of the contract term, opening school week, closing school week, examination days, in-service or other nonstudent contact work days, or report card days unless approved by the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee.

410.5   Bereavement Leave.   An administrator, supervisor, or non-licensed employee, other than temporary employees, shall be granted up to five (5) days of paid leave for the death of a spouse, child, or parent, grandchild, niece/nephew of either spouse, also step-parents (step-parent -in-laws) and step-children of the employee.  Up to five (5) days of paid leave shall also be granted for the death of a parent-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son-in-law or daughter-in-law.  One day may be granted to attend the funeral of another individual upon the approval of the superintendent.

410.6   Jury Duty.   An administrator, supervisor, or non-licensed employee called for jury duty during work shall be permitted to be absent from duties without loss of pay.  The employee shall report for duty during the period of time that the employee is not required to be on jury duty.  Pay received for jury duty shall be remitted to the District.

410.7   Professional Leave.   Administrators, supervisors, and non-licensed employees may request of the superintendent paid leave time to view other school facilities or programs or to attend meetings, workshops, or conferences.  Employees must file a written request      at least five (5) days in advance.  The superintendent shall have discretion on whether to grant the request and shall have discretion on whether to pay for registration, lodging, and travel expenses.  If an employee is required to attend, the employee will be reimbursed approved travel and lodging expenses and registration.

410.8   Military and Political Leave.   Leaves of absence for military duty and to hold political office shall be granted in accordance with applicable law.

410.9   Family Leave.   Leaves of absence for disabilities relating to pregnancy and childbirth will  be treated in the same manner as leaves of absence for other disabilities (Code No. 413).

410.10 Other Leaves of Absence.   Employees may be granted unpaid leaves of absence upon written request and upon approval of the superintendent or the superintendent’s    designee.  Requests for more than five (5) consecutive work days of unpaid leave must be approved by the Board of Directors and shall be without District-paid fringe benefits.  Length of service, previous attendance record, reasons for the request, and impact on the education program and related services shall be considered.

Legal Reference:  29A.28, 279.8, 279.12, 279.40, 601A.9, Chapter 607 Code of Iowa       

Approved:    August 14, 1989                  

Reviewed:    April 18, 2006                

Revised:       August 16, 2004