BOARD POLICY  4151.9

 

Professional Leave

 

All members of the staff of the Ironton City Schools are encouraged to attend professional meetings in order to keep abreast of trends in education, and to improve instructional methods.

 

1.        Each request by a bargaining unit member to attend a professional meeting shall be made by written

application on a form provided by the Board, to the member’s Principal, who will in turn forward the request to the Superintendent.

 

2.        This request shall state the reason or purpose of the meeting, the date(s), and shall be submitted to the

Principal at least three (3) weeks before the date of the meeting in order that a suitable replacement or substitute can be obtained. Written approval or disapproval will be returned to the applicant from the central office.

 

3.        The Superintendent shall have the right to limit the number of applications granted for professional

        leave on any given school day or in any school year, in order to ensure that the normal operation of the

        schools will not be materially affected by such absences.

 

       Attendance at any given meeting will be further limited to two (2) persons from any department of a

       building, except as approved by the Superintendent.

 

4.        Expenses.

 

1. When a bargaining unit member takes a professional leave at the request of the Board, or at the

request or initiation of the bargaining unit member, the Board shall pay for the registration fees, mileage at the Board-approved rate per mile, meals, and motel or hotel expenses with the prior approval of the Superintendent, and necessary materials related to a workshop.

 

2. Certain limitations will be placed on professional leave expenses to provide for a reasonable level

of funds to be expended.

 

1.        Expenditures for food shall  be limited as follows:

 

Breakfast       $7.00

Lunch             $9.00

Dinner            $14.00

        

2.        Expenditures for motels or hotels shall be limited to forty dollars ($40.00) per night approved,

or the group rate amount at the hotel or conference center for approved conference/seminar attendance.

   

3.        Expenditures over the limitations above shall be paid by the bargaining unit member unless the Superintendent grants prior approval for unusual or exceptional conditions.

 

3. To be reimbursed, written proof of expenditures must be submitted to the Treasurer and should

include the following if applicable:

 

1.        Mileage at the Board-approved rate per mile, if car is driven.

2.        Motel or hotel invoices.

3.        Receipts for registration fees.

4.        Plane or other public transportation.

5.        Receipts for meals.

 

            

 

4. Professional leave shall be granted by the Superintendent in accordance with school system needs

and fund limitations.

 

1.        Preference for professional leave requests shall be given to bargaining unit members who have not previously taken such professional leave when duplicate applications are made.

              2.     Disapproval of a professional leave application shall not constitute grounds for a grievance

                      under negotiated contracts.