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 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.
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 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.
Professional Development Fund Article 20
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT A. Tuition costs incurred by administrator shall be reimbursed by the Board of Education under the following terms and conditions:
1. Tuition costs eligible for reimbursement must be for courses in the field of education. In addition, courses not in the field of education but closely related may be approved for reimbursement at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee in advance of enrollment. Reimbursement will not be made until satisfactory evidence of having received a passing grade is presented.
2. Reimbursement for actual tuition costs incurred by a member shall be limited to a maximum reimbursement of the average tuition cost for twelve (12) graduate/Doctoral level credits at the following four (4) state universities: Rutgers, Rowan, College of New Jersey, and Montclair computed annually. Masters’ degree maximum will be limited to the average Masters’ level cost and Doctorate degree maximum will be limited to the average Doctoral level cost.
3. The date on which a course is completed will determine the contract year in which the credits will be applicable for reimbursement.
4. Non-tenured members shall be eligible for reimbursement at the level set forth in Subsection 2 above, for tuition costs incurred for graduate credits earned during a period after the award of a first-year contract, but prior to the commencement of work under a tenured contract; provided however, such reimbursement shall not be payable to such member unless and until said member has commenced work under a tenure contract.
5. Upon satisfactory compliance by the member with all of the terms and conditions set forth in the preceding subsections, such member shall be paid his/her reimbursement entitlement on either October 2 for the prior Spring and Summer course work taken, or April 1 for the prior Fall course work provided that the member is still in the employ of the Board on such date. Such payment shall be further conditioned on said member remaining in the employ of the Board for the remainder of the current school year. In the event that such member shall leave the employ of the Board prior to the expiration of the school year in which such reimbursement entitlement has been paid, such member shall be obligated to refund to the Board the entire reimbursement paid to him/her during such school year, and for such purpose, the Board shall be empowered to deduct said sum from such member’s salary payments.
6. No member shall be eligible for tuition reimbursement in connection with tuition costs incurred that are paid by the Veteran’s Administration or any other outside agency.
7. Upon earning tenure in the district as an administrator, the Board of Education shall reimburse the administrator costs associated with their participation in the New Jersey State Mentoring and Assessment Program. Participation in the Mentoring and Assessment Program must have occurred entirely during the time of employment in the Washington Township Public School District.
