Eligibility to Receive Sick Days. This program is available to the full-time licensed staffs of the School District who have exhausted all of their accumulated sick leave, used their personal days, and suffer from a personal illness, disability, or hospitalization of a “catastrophic” nature. Catastrophic refers to life-threatening, extraordinary, or chronically debilitating medical conditions and is not intended to include commonplace or ordinary medical conditions. Examples of catastrophic medical conditions include certain cancers and pregnancy/child-birth complications that are hazardous to the life of the mother and/or unborn child. In contrast, the flu, broken leg, and routine pregnancies are not considered catastrophic medical conditions. Generally, catastrophic medical conditions must be considered both long-term in nature and require long-term recuperation periods. A physician’s statement certifying that the medical condition is life-threatening, extraordinary, or chronically debilitating must be submitted with the staff person’s request to access this program. The Catastrophic Leave Committee shall determine whether a staff person qualifies for this program. Any staff person who is receiving disability benefits or who is absent for illness or injury due to a work-related accident may not avail himself/herself of any benefits of this program. Any staff person who is on a Board-approved leave of absence shall be ineligible under this program.
