PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT Section 1 Expenses The COMMITTEE will pay the reasonable expenses (including fees, meals, lodging and/or transportation) incurred by teachers who attend workshops, seminars, conferences, or other professional improvement sessions at the request and/or with advance approval in writing of the Superintendent. Section 2 Credit for Projects The ASSOCIATION Professional Development Committee will meet with the superintendent to formulate professional development opportunities for teachers that benefit the educational goals of the Xxxxxxx Public Schools. Section 3 Credit for Courses Employees shall receive credit for a maximum of two (2) post-graduate courses per semester earned at an accredited degree granting college or university during the school year. An employee taking undergraduate courses during a school year may be granted credit at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee which discretion shall not be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration Procedures of this Agreement. Any post-graduate credits earned by an employee during the summer under this Agreement at an accredited degree granting college or university shall be recognized. Credits earned by an employee under this Agreement during the summer for undergraduate courses shall be recognized for movement on the salary schedule only to the extent that such courses had been approved in advance by the Superintendent or designee. Graduate credits earned after the Bachelor’s degree (provided they are not required or prerequisite courses in the Master’s Program) will be compensated at the Master’s level upon the successful completion of the Master’s Program. For salary purposes, educators who earned their Master’s Degree before the 1996-1997 school year will not qualify. This agreement is effective August 25, 1996. Movement on the salary schedule will only occur twice per school year: in September and in January. All documentation for movement on the salary schedule must be submitted to the payroll office no later than September 30 or January 31. There is a one-year limit for submission of courses in order to receive credit for movement on the salary schedule (one year from the time the course was completed).