Policy No.	5409
	Adoption Date:	July 11, 1984
	Reviewed:	August 19, 1998

PERSONNEL DISCRETIONARY LEAVES

Leaves of Absence.

The district may grant leaves of absence for specific periods of time for up to one school year upon application by a staff member, the recommendation of the superintendent and the approval of the board. Such leaves shall be without pay or fringe benefits and, with the approval of the board, may be extended for one additional school year. During the leave the staff member may pay the district's share of any insurance benefits program in order to maintain those benefits. When based upon reasons of health, family need or professional development, such applications warrant special consideration. The needs of students and the district program warrant primary consideration. Leaves of absence shall be granted only when they shall not have an undesirable impact upon the educational program or business operations.

A staff member shall be entitled to return to a position in the district at the end of the leave of absence subject to the availability of a position for which the staff member is qualified. The staff member granted a leave of absence shall inform the board by April 1 as to his/ her intentions to assume a position in the district for the ensuing school year. If said notification is not received, the individual's employment rights with the district shall be terminated.

Staff on leave of absence shall not earn any salary schedule experience credit or any sick leave credit or benefits during the leave of absence.

Leaves to Attend Meetings/Conferences.

The district may grant leaves, subject to the recommendation of the superintendent and approval by the board, to certificated staff for the purpose of attending meetings or conferences that are likely to be of value to the certificated staff member's professional performance. (Meetings and conferences wherein bargaining unit activities are conducted are excluded.) Such leaves may be granted without pay and with or without travel expense reimbursement.

Cross Reference:

Board Policy

5021

Applicability of Personnel Policies