Absences

The substitute caller shall be notified at the earliest possible time on the day of an absence. When practical, notification prior to the day of absence is encouraged. Teachers should notify the substitute caller by the prescribed procedure .

It is the responsibility of all other certified employees to inform their immediate supervisor on the day of absence.

In order for an employee to be granted sick leave in excess of five consecutive days, verification by a written statement from his/her physician must be on file with the payroll department. For each additional day of absence beyond sick leave allowed, there shall be a deduction of the full daily salary.

If an employee is absent for any reason other than sickness, or other leave as outlined in policy or negotiated agreement, a deduction of the full amount of his/her salary shall be made for each day's absence, beginning with first day. Disciplinary action may be taken for absence without leave.

Any employee who terminates employment loses the benefit of any accumulated days of sick leave, except:

1. As provided by law and policy
2. That 45 days shall be credited of purposes of retirement.

Child Care Leave

Any certificated staff member who is pregnant shall have the privilege of requesting child care leave and all the provisions included therein:

1. The request for such leave is to be made in writing to the board through the superintendent and immediate supervisor at least thirty (30) days in advance of the proposed starting date of the leave.
2. The actual starting date of the leave shall be determined as necessary to protect the quality of the instructional program and the desire of the certificated staff member and the attending physician. The overriding concern shall be the fulfillment of goals of the school district.
3. Child care leave provisions in the employee's negotiated agreement shall be followed concerning request, return from leave, length of leave and other provisions.
4. Child care leave for employees adopting a child shall be leave without compensation except that a certificated staff member shall retain all seniority and benefits accrued.
5. If a certificated staff member fails to return at the expiration of the leave without a written medical reason, this lack of action shall terminate the contract with the school district.

Temporary Disability Leave

Any employee who, for medical reasons, cannot perform the functions of their assigned position shall have the privilege of requesting temporary disability leave and all the provisions included herein:

1. The request for such a leave is to be made in writing to the board, through the superintendent and immediate supervisor at least sixty (60) days in advance of the proposed starting date of the leave.
2. The actual starting date of the leave shall be determined as necessary to protect the quality of the instructional and supportive programs, the desire of the staff member and the attending physician. The overriding concern shall be the fulfillment of the goals of the school district.
3. Expiration of temporary disability leave shall be when the staff member's attending physician confirms the ability of the person on temporary disability leave to resume in full, the duties of the assigned position.
4. Upon expiration of temporary disability leave, the employee shall be assigned to the same position occupied before the leave provided that the position is still available and the leave does not extend beyond one year. An employee who returns from a temporary disability leave when the former position is not available shall be assigned to a proper vacancy by the superintendent.
5. An employee on temporary disability leave shall retain all rights and benefits and receive full payment for each day of absence up to the number of days accrued under policy GCBD for sick leave.
6. The school district reserves the right to call for a doctor's certificate of illness at any time for any number of days used as defined in this policy.

Shared Leave Procedures

If possible an employee, or his/her representative, determining that he/she will need to take advantage of this program, will notify the Personnel Office 5 working days prior to exhausting his/her leave. Upon approval donations will then be requested from other employees and submitted to the Personnel Office.

1. Recipient and donor and/or recipient's supervisor will complete the district form on Leave Sharing and submit it to the Personnel Office.
2. Leave Sharing will become effective on the date the Leave Sharing form is accepted in the Personnel Department. Retroactive application of Leave Sharing will be on a case by case basis.
3. Donated hours will be deducted from donor's sick/vacation leave balance.
4. Recipient must use accumulated donated hours on consecutive work days. Exceptions may be made for long-term illness on a case by case basis.
5. Transfer of Leave Sharing hours to recipient will correspond with the normal payroll period.
6. The Leave Sharing form must be completed in full before an effective date will be issued.

The leave recipient shall be paid his or her regular rate of pay; therefore, one hour of shared leave may cover more or less than one hour of the recipient's salary. The dollar value of the leave shall be converted from the donor to the recipient. The leave received shall be coded as shared leave and shall be maintained separately from all other leave balances. In the event that there is unused shared leave it shall be returned to leave donors, on a prorated basis.

Approved:
5/7/90

Revised:
5/20/91