Ethical Practices 25.1. The Company, their respective employees, agents and their consultants and each other person acting for, or on behalf of, the Company, has complied with the United Kingdom Bribery Act, 2010 (the “UKBA”), FCPA, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (the “PCA”) and all other Applicable Laws regarding illegal payments and gratuities (collectively with the UKBA, PCA and the FCPA referred as the “Improper Payment Laws”). The Founders and/or the Company, are not under investigation with respect to and have not been given notice of, any violation of any Improper Payment Laws applicable to the Business of the Company, as presently conducted or as has been conducted.
25.2. Neither the Company nor any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees or agents have, directly or indirectly, made, offered, promised or authorized any payment or gift of any money or anything of value to or for the benefit of any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in FCPA), foreign political party or official thereof or candidate for foreign political office for the purpose of (i) influencing any official act or decision of such official, party or candidate, (ii) inducing such official, party or candidate to use his, her or its influence to affect any act or decision of a foreign governmental authority, or (iii) securing any improper advantage, in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) above in order to assist the Company or any of its affiliates in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person.
25.3. Neither the Company nor any officer, director, agent or employee purporting to act on behalf of the Company or any other related party has at any time, directly or indirectly:
(i) made, provided or paid any unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses to any candidate for political office, or failed to disclose fully any such contributions in violation of any Applicable Law;
(ii) made any payment to any local, state, federal or any other type of governmental officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duties, other than payments required or allowed by Applicable Law (including without limitation, the FCPA, as amended);
(iii) made any payment to any agent, employee, officer or director of any entity with which the Company or any other related party does business for the purpose of influencing such agent, employee, officer or director to do business with the Company or any Related Party;
(iv) engaged in any transaction, maintained any bank account or used any corporate fund, except for transactions, bank accounts and funds which have been and are reflected in the normally maintained books and records of the Company and/or any other related party;
(v) violated any provision of the FCPA, as amended;
(vi) violated any provision of the UKBA, as amended;
(vii) violated any provision of PCA, as amended; or
(viii) made any payment in the nature of criminal bribery or any other unlawful payment.
25.4. Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents have made or authorized any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment of funds or received or retained any funds in violation of any law, rule or regulation.
25.5. Neither the Company, or to the Company’s knowledge, any of its officers, directors or employees are the subject of any allegation, voluntary disclosure, investigation, prosecution, or other enforcement action related to the FCPA or any other anti-corruption law (collectively, “Enforcement Action”)
Professional Practice Professional practice varies with the range of duties and responsibilities appropriately assigned to the position (as outlined in 19.2 to 19.5)
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 AND EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT A. The Board of Education agrees to pay the actual tuition costs of courses taken by a teacher at accredited colleges or universities up to three courses per two (2) year fiscal periods from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008 and July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010 respectively, except as follows:
1. No teacher may be reimbursed for courses taken during the first year of teaching in Vineland.
2. Teachers taking courses in the second and third years of employment in Vineland will not receive remuneration until tenure has been secured. The remuneration will then be retroactive and will be paid to the teacher in a lump sum within sixty (60) days after the teacher has secured tenure.
3. All courses must be pre-approved by the Superintendent or his designee subject to the following requirements:
(a) A teacher must provide official documentation that he/she has obtained a grade of B or better;
(b) Reimbursement shall be paid only for courses directly related to teacher’s teaching field which increase the teacher’s content knowledge and are related to the teacher’s current certification, as determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee in his/her sole discretion; no reimbursement shall be paid for courses leading to a post graduate or professional degree in a field other than education or teaching. Further, effective September 1, 2010, all newly hired teachers shall not be eligible for reimbursement until they are tenured, and they shall not be eligible for retroactive reimbursement upon gaining tenure for courses taken prior to being tenured.
(c) The maximum total payments to be made by the Board shall not exceed $130,000.00. Courses shall be applied for no earlier than the following dates: Summer Session - April 1 Fall/Winter Session - June 1 Spring Session - October 1 Courses must, as set forth hereinabove in this sub-article 18.A.3, be pre-approved by the Superintendent or his designee, prior to the teacher commencing the course(s); and
(d) Teacher taking courses shall sign a contract requiring them to reimburse the Board for all tuition paid for a course if the teacher shall voluntarily leave the employ of the Board within one (1) full school/academic year of completion of said course, except that reimbursement shall not be required when the teacher shall voluntarily leave the employ of the Board due to a significant, documented life change.
4. Tuition reimbursement costs shall be a sum not to exceed the actual cost of college credits charged in an accredited public State college/University of the State of New Jersey.
B. When the Superintendent initiates in-service training courses, workshops, conferences and programs designed to improve the quality of instruction, the cooperation of the Vineland Education Association will be solicited. Notwithstanding the above, the initiation of in-service training courses, workshops, conferences and programs shall be determined solely at the discretion of the Board.
C. One professional leave day may be granted to a teacher upon request, according to the following guidelines:
1. The professional day may be for attendance at a workshop, seminar or visit to another school for the expressed purpose of self professional improvement for the job.
2. The request shall arrive in the office of the Superintendent of Schools at least ten (10) working days prior to the date requested and shall be reviewed by the immediate supervisor prior to submission. The Board reserves the right to deny a professional leave day before or immediately following a holiday or on a day which by its nature suggests a hardship for providing a substitute.
3. No more than two teachers from any one elementary school or from any one department in the secondary schools may be granted a professional leave for a given day.
4. The teacher may be required to submit a report to the Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent, supervisor (s), principal and staff regarding the activity of the professional day.
5. Costs incurred by the teacher for the professional day authorized under this Section shall be the teacher’s responsibility.
6. A maximum of 90 professional leave days may be authorized for the school year which shall be apportioned as follows: elementary, 35; grades seven and eight, 20; and high school, 35.
D. If the Board initiates a teacher’s attendance at a professional workshop, seminar or visit, the expenses shall be the responsibility of the Board. Further, this day shall not be subtracted from the 90 professional leave days granted to teachers of the Association.
E. The Board agrees to pay the full cost of courses taken by secretaries related to skills and knowledge improvement when such courses are required and approved by the Board.
F. The Board and the Association agree that it is important to communicate when developing and implementing current and future learning technologies, including but not limited to distance and on-line learning.
Professional Development Funds 23.1.1 Two Professional Development Funds, a Professional Development Support Fund and an Education Leave Fund, shall be established to support professional development activities as defined in 23.2. On April 1st of each year, the College will allocate an amount equal to no less than 0.9% of total faculty salary (exclusive of severance payments) to the Professional Development Support Fund, and an amount equal to no less than 0.6% of total faculty salary to the Educational Leave Fund. Any unused balances in these funds shall carry over to the next budget year.
23.1.2 The College agrees to provide the Association with the authority to administer the program on behalf of the College for those activities approved by the College in accordance with 23.2, 23.4 and 23.5.
23.1.3 Nothing in this Agreement prevents the College from funding professional development activities in addition to those activities supported through the Professional Development Funds (23.1.1) in accordance with the procedures described in this Article.
Design Professional The architect or engineer or architectural or engineering firm selected by Owner (i) for the design and preparation of Contract Documents governing the construction of a Project, or (ii) for construction contract administration under the Contract Documents, or (iii) for both, all such services and the scope thereof to be set forth in the Design Professional Contract. The Design Professional is not an employee of the Owner but is engaged or retained by it for the purpose of performing design and construction administration services for the project. The term “Design Professional” includes architects, engineers, surveyors, designers, and other consultants retained by the Design Professional.
Professional Development Fund Article 20
Local Professional Development Committee A. There shall be a Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC) to oversee, review, and approve individual professional development plans (IPDP) for course work, continuing education units and/or other equivalent activities.
1. The LPDC shall be responsible to recommend for the Superintendent’s approval, all in-service activities and workshops offered in the district during the school year for staff professional development.
2. Recommendations for District Workshops and In-Service activities should be submitted to the LPDC for approval and recommendation no later than the last school day of the year prior to the year it will be implemented.
3. The LPDC chair shall review and approve all “Professional Growth Reimbursement Application” forms.
B. The LPDC shall consist of three (3) teachers appointed by the Association President and two (2) members appointed by the Superintendent. One of the Superintendent's appointees will be a Principal employed by the district.
C. Appointments shall be for two (2) years with half of the committee members being appointed every other year.
1. Appointments shall be made on or before May 1.
2. The Appointments shall be made by each party outlined above, notifying the other of those appointed.
3. In the event of a vacancy, the committee members shall be replaced in accordance with "B." above.
4. The Association shall name a fourth teacher member and the Superintendent shall name a third administrative member to serve as alternates and attend trainings. These two (2) people shall act as substitutes when a committee member is absent.
D. This committee shall meet monthly.
1. The committee may also be convened by the request of two sitting members.
2. A quorum shall consist of five (5) members. When administrative licenses/certificates are reviewed, two (2) sitting teacher members will abstain and the decision will be decided by three (3) members.
3. If the committee determines it is needed, they will be provided two (2) professional release days to meet during regular school hours. Substitutes will be provided for the committee members on these release days.
4. Committee members shall be provided an additional annual stipend of $1,000 for meetings beyond the normal work day or year. This stipend shall be paid in two (2) semi-annual payments. Any member who fails to serve the full year shall have the above compensation prorated on a monthly basis for each month served.
5. Decisions of the LPDC will be made by consensus of the committee members present.
6. The committee minutes shall be prepared and maintained in compliance with the laws governing the operation of committees of public bodies.
Personnel Practices Section 1. The parties agree to establish a Labor-Management Committee to consult on personnel practices. The Committee will consist of five (5) representatives selected by the County and five (5) representatives by the SEIU Local 721. The Chief Executive Officer will designate a representative from CEO/Employee Relations and Department of Human Resources who have authority to resolve issues. The Committee will meet quarterly and consult on County-wide personnel practices including, but not limited to, performance evaluations, appraisals of promotability, grievance, arbitration, appeal processes, and resolution and payment of awards.
Section 2. Dignity and Professionalism in the Workplace
1. The Union and Management are committed to working together to ensure a healthy and professional work environment free from emotional and psychological abuse and intimidation and to promote dignity for all workforce members.
2. The Union and Management agree to work together to develop a training program open to managers and SEIU Local 721 represented employees through the Workforce Development Program, the Million Dollar Training Fund and/or other sources of funding designated to promote dignity, prevent and reduce intimidation and other forms of emotional and psychological abuse in the workplace and create awareness of its negative impact.
3. Labor and Management are committed to working together to address complaints of intimidation and other forms of emotional and psychological abuse in the workplace in a timely manner.
4. The County Department of Human Resources is committed to working with the Union to develop policy to promote dignity and respect at the workplace and to prevent intimidation and other forms of emotional and psychological abuse in the workplace.
Section 3. Communication through County E-mail Recognizing that e-mail is a standard medium of business communication, the County will meet with representatives of the Union to consider the feasibility of communication with bargaining unit members through their County e-mail addresses. This workgroup will complete its work within 60 days of the Board of Supervisors’ approval of the MOU. The workgroup will present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for any policy changes.
Section 4. Education Based Discipline Education-Based Discipline (EBD) is offered when an employee must serve a suspension from duty as a result of some type of policy violation, but rather than serving the suspension days at home with a loss of pay, some or all of those days can be substituted for a relevant training class or classes. Participation in the program is voluntary for the employee. The Personnel Practices Committee defined in Section 1 will meet to discuss expansion of EBD to all departments in the County.
Professional Development Program (a) The parties agree to continue a Professional Development Program for the maintenance and development of the faculty members' professional competence and effectiveness. It is agreed that maintenance of currency of subject knowledge, the improvement of performance of faculty duties, and the maintenance and improvement of professional competence, including instructional skills, are the primary professional development activities of faculty members.
(b) Information collected as part of this program shall be the sole property of the faculty member. This information or any judgments arising from this program shall not be used to determine non-renewal or termination of a faculty member's contract, suspension or dismissal of a faculty member, denial of advancement on the salary scale, nor affect any other administrative decisions pertaining to the promotion or employment status of the faculty member.
(c) A joint advisory committee consisting of three regular faculty members who shall be elected by and are P.D. Committee Chairpersons and three administrators shall make recommendations for the operation, financing and management of the Professional Development Program.
