Professional and Education Leaves (a) Leave of absence with pay or without pay may be granted to employees to attend professional and educational meetings, courses, or other events which may be judged beneficial to the employee's professional development, especially as it relates to her responsibilities with the Employer.
PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY 1. Within the bounds of the prescribed curriculum, and consistent with effective educational methodology and practice, and within established District and/or school goals and objectives, teachers shall have individual professional autonomy in determining the methods of instruction and the planning and presentation of course materials in the classes to which they are assigned.
2. The Board and the Association agree that, consistent with the purpose of the evaluation process, an evaluator may recommend teaching practices different from those being used by the teacher.
Training and Professional Development 11.1 The Employer will develop and maintain an employee training and development plan and provide such plan to the Union upon request. Staff training is intended to provide an opportunity for classified staff employees for training sponsored by the University Training and Development and the UW Medical Centers Organizational Development and Training. Education/Professional Leave is intended to facilitate employee access to continuing education opportunities. Training and educational/professional leave may be used for the purpose of improving job performance, maintaining and increasing proficiency, preparing staff for greater responsibility, or increasing promotional opportunities within the framework of staff positions available at the University.
11.2 Any release time for training for employees accepted for such classes shall be in accordance with the Executive Order (currently No. 52) governing this matter. In the event that two or more employees request the same training period and supervision must limit the number of persons who may participate at one time due to work requirements, the selection will be made on a mutually agreeable basis within the department.
11.3 The training program is a proper subject for discussion by either departmental or University-wide Joint Union/Management Committees.
11.4 If the Employer requires an employee to receive training, reimbursement will be provided in accordance with the University travel rules. Employee attendance at Employer required training, either during or outside working hours, will be considered time worked and compensated in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
11.5 Employee attendance at training not required by the Employer and not covered by Executive Order 52, either on approved leave from or outside of working hours, will be voluntary and not considered time worked.
Professional Development Leave A. Policy. Professional development leave shall be made available to employees who meet the requirements set forth below. Such leaves are granted to increase an employee's value to the University through enhanced opportunities for professional renewal, educational travel, study, formal education, research, writing, or other experience of professional value, not as a reward for service.
Professional Dues The school district will pay the annual dues for the Superintendent’s membership in the following organizations: Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), The School Superintendents Association (AASA), and any other membership dues requested by the Superintendent and approved by the Board.
PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION A. The salaries of employees covered by this Agreement are set forth in the appendixes which are attached hereto and incorporated in this Agreement. Each employee shall have the yearly option of receiving his/her salary in one of the following ways:
1. Each employee hired after July 1, 1987, shall receive his/her total salary divided into twenty-four (24) equal payments on the fifth (5th) and twentieth (20th) of each month. If the 20th of the month falls on a holiday or weekend, the payday will be on the first business day immediately following.
2. Employees employed in the District prior to July 1, 1987, may have their total salary divided as stated above or they may choose to have their pay divided into twenty-one (21) equal installments, beginning with the August 20th payroll each contract year.
B. Total salary for less than full-time employees shall be paid as indicated in 1 or 2 above, beginning at the date of hire, but the salary shall be adjusted based on the yearly number of work days for employees as set by the school calendar, and then pro-rated on the portion of the year and/or day worked by the individual employee.
C. It is understood and agreed that each employee shall elect payment for the subsequent year in accordance with the previous year's selection unless the Business Office is notified in writing of such employee's change in selection on or before August 15.
D. Pay deductions will be made only for the following authorized items:
1. Mandatory/voluntary government deductions.
2. IRS Section 125 deductions.
3. Insurance carriers designated by this Agreement or approved by the Employer.
4. Deductions as authorized in other articles of this Agreement.
E. The Employer may make direct payroll check deposits to banks, savings and loan associations, and other financial and with which the Employer has a written agreement dealing with payroll deposits. Such direct payroll deposits would be made only upon the written request/approval of the employee.
F. The Employer shall reimburse employees for actual costs of college tuition and fees, upon completion of coursework. This reimbursement shall be limited to a total of 6 credit hours or 18 SBCEU’s or 180 SCECH’s or a combination thereof in a five-year period. (3 SBCEU’s = 1 credit hour or 30 SCECH’s = 1 credit hour) Each year of the five year period will be based on the school fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). The rate of reimbursement shall be limited to the actual amount of tuition and fees paid, but shall not exceed the amount charged by Grand Valley State University per graduate credit hour. The Employee will be required to provide proof of payment and proof of successful completion of the course.
G. Employees asked to substitute during their planning period will be paid at a rate of $25.00 per planning period. The employee will receive a coupon for an early dismissal or late arrival, or other site based incentives along with the compensation. This coupon may be used at any time so long as it does not interfere with the employee’s normal duties, i.e. staff meetings, IEPC. More than one coupon may be used at the same time with the approval of the Administration. A coupon is attached to this agreement, (see Appendix F). Employees asked to teach additional students for a period shall be eligible for the substitute rate above.
Outside Professional Activities 21.01 Outside professional activities may enhance the reputation of the University and the professional, scholarly and scientific competence of the ASM. ASMs are encouraged to involve themselves with the community outside the University in applying their professional skills and knowledge. This Article applies only to outside professional activities that involve the application of special skills and knowledge within the ASM's particular academic competence. An ASM may engage in such activities subject to the following conditions:
(a) Such activities shall not hinder the fulfillment of the ASM’s obligations to the University, including scholarly work, and the undertaking of a fair share of academic administration.
(b) Outside professional activities shall not require the commitment of a block of time which might interfere with the ASM’s normal timetable for teaching activities.
21.02 An ASM shall, upon written request, make available to his or her Administrative Head information on the nature and scope of paid outside professional activities.
21.03 When outside professional activities would involve the use of University supplies, facilities, employees, or services, such use shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Administrative Head. The request for approval shall include information on the nature and scope of the outside professional activities for which support is requested. If approval is granted, the charges for such equipment, supplies, facilities, employees or services shall be at the prevailing rates unless the Xxxxxxx & Vice-President (Academic) agrees, in writing, to waive all or part of the charges. When engaging in outside professional activities, the ASM shall ensure that he or she does not represent himself or herself as acting on behalf of the University. The University will assume no liability for any action brought against an ASM as a result of outside professional activities.
21.04 The name of the University shall not be used in any outside professional activity unless agreed, in writing, by the Xxxxxxx & Vice-President (Academic), although nothing shall prevent the ASM from stating the nature and place of his or her employment, rank and title, in connection with outside professional activities, provided that he or she shall not purport to represent the University or speak for it, or to have its approval unless that approval has been given in writing.
21.05 The provisions of this Article shall apply to ASM-CFEs mutatis mutandis.
Professional Growth This Section applies to those regularly assigned teachers who do not hold a clear multiple or single subject teaching credential and to those who desire to maintain such a credential. The minimum requirement for compliance with this Section shall be:
18.8.1 Successful service as a classroom teacher or successful service authorized by a services credential. The minimum length of service shall be equivalent to one-half (0.5) of a school year;
18.8.2 Completion of an individual program of Professional Growth that shall consist of a minimum of one-hundred-and-fifty (150) clock hours of participation in activities which contribute to competence, performance or effectiveness in the profession of education. Acceptable activities shall be defined to include: • the completion of courses offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities; • participation in educational conferences, workshops, teacher center programs, or staff development programs, including District approved school site staff development programs; • participation in systematic programs of observation and analysis of teaching; • service in a leadership role in a professional organization related to instruction; and • participation in educational research or innovation efforts.
18.8.3 An individual program of Professional Growth shall be developed and planned by the holder of a clear teaching credential.
18.8.4 Before a teacher coming under the provisions of this section commences or amends an individual program of Professional Growth, the advisor shall certify to the teacher that the planned program or amendment complies with this section.
18.8.5 The District shall designate only certificated administrators to serve as Professional Growth Advisors (hereinafter referred to as “advisor”). A list of these advisors, including work location, will be published by the District annually, prior to the beginning of the school calendar year. The responsibility of an advisor shall be to determine whether activities identified in the plan of a teacher comply with these provisions.
18.8.6 On a form provided by the state, a credential holder shall write a Professional Growth plan, which shall identify his or her Professional Growth goals, and the Professional Growth activities he or she proposes to pursue.
18.8.7 A credential holder may amend a Professional Growth plan by adding, deleting or changing any of the original or previously amended goals or proposed activities.
18.8.8 The Professional Growth advisor shall sign a Professional Growth plan, and shall initial an amendment to a Professional Growth plan, if it is in compliance with this section and the Professional Growth needs of the teacher.
18.8.9 An advisor shall complete and return to the credential holder certification of this initial plan, initialing any revisions or verification of completion within ten (10) working days of submission to the advisor. If an advisor finds that he/she cannot certify an initial plan, initial a modification, or verify completion, the advisor shall notify the credential holder of the reason(s) in writing within ten (10) working days of submission.
18.8.10 If a credential holder believes that his/her advisor has taken an adverse action that he/she considers to be arbitrary or contrary to the terms of this section, the credential holder may seek another advisor or appeal the adverse action to the Executive Secretary of the Commission on Teaching Credentialing.
18.8.11 A clock hour for purposes of credited Professional Growth Activities shall be the actual time spent in the activity, including preparation time spent only if the teacher is a presenter of the course. College, university or equivalent courses shall be credited as fifteen (15) clock hours for each semester unit, ten (10) clock hours for each quarter unit, and thirteen (13) hours for each trimester unit.
18.8.12 A teacher shall submit evidence to prove that the Professional Growth activity has been satisfactorily completed.
18.8.13 The Union and the District shall provide a joint meeting for credential holders no later than October 1st of each school year. This meeting shall be mandatory for all teachers who are subject to the provisions of this section and who are new to the District.
18.8.14 The Union and the District agree to form a Professional Growth Program Joint Advisory/Planning Committee to consider possible recommendations for modifications to this section.
18.8.15 The committee shall be composed of three (3) members appointed by the Union and three (3) members appointed by the District.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
A. The Code of Ethics of the Education Profession is considered by the Faculty Senate and the Board as acceptable criteria of professional behavior. The Faculty Senate shall address ethical problems in accordance with the terms of such Code of Ethics of the Education Profession (Appendix A).
B. No bargaining unit member shall be disciplined or discharged without just cause or without being accorded due process, except as described in Article XI paragraph A, concerning the orientation period.
C. Non-disciplinary, paid administrative leave may be issued while an allegation of misconduct is being investigated. The bargaining unit member’s pay shall not be interrupted nor reduced while on non- disciplinary paid administrative leave. Non-disciplinary paid administrative leave is designed to protect the integrity of a fact-finding investigation, and shall not be considered discipline to the bargaining unit member.
D. A bargaining unit member shall at all times be entitled to have present a representative of the Faculty Senate when they are being reprimanded, warned, or disciplined for any infraction of rules or delinquency in professional performance. When a request for such representation is made, no action shall be taken with respect to faculty until such representative of the Faculty Senate is present.
E. The bargaining unit member shall sign and receive a copy of each disciplinary action. The signing of this document is not to be construed as an admission of guilt but only as an acknowledgement that such action exists. In imposing any sanction on a current charge, the College shall not consider any prior infraction which occurred more than six (6) years previous to the date of the occurrence of the event on which the current charge is based except in instances specified in Article III, paragraph M.
F. No student, parental, citizen, or college personnel complaints originating after initial employment shall be placed in a bargaining unit member’s personnel file unless the bargaining unit member has had an opportunity to review the material, to respond to the material, and a preponderance of the evidence that supports that discipline is merited. Complaints against the bargaining unit member shall be put in writing with names of the complainant(s). The administrator shall attach to the written complaint a written explanation of all administrative action taken and administrative expectations (if any) of the bargaining unit member. The bargaining unit member may submit a written notation or reply regarding any complaint, and the same shall be attached to the file copy of the material in question. When documentation relating to a complaint is to be placed in a bargaining unit member’s file, the affected bargaining unit member shall be given the opportunity to review and sign said material; such signature will be understood to indicate awareness of the material but in no instance will said signature be interpreted to mean agreement with the content of the material.
Professional Development 9.01 Continuous professional development is a hallmark of professional nursing practice. As a self-regulating profession, nursing recognizes the importance of maintaining a dynamic practice environment which includes ongoing learning, the maintenance of competence, career development, career counselling and succession planning. The parties agree that professional development includes a diverse range of activities, including but not limited to formal academic programs; short-term continuing education activities; certification programs; independent learning committee participation. The parties recognize their joint responsibility in and commitment to active participation in the area of professional development.