Child Care Leave Subd.1. A child care leave may be granted by the School District subject to the provisions of these sections. Child care leave may be granted because of the need to prepare and provide parental care for a child or children of the teacher for an extended period of time.
Subd.2. A teacher making application for child care leave shall inform the superintendent in writing of intention to take the leave at least three calendar months before commencement of the intended leave.
Subd.3. If the reason for the child care leave is occasioned by pregnancy, a teacher may utilize sick leave pursuant to the sick leave provisions of the Agreement during a period of physical disability. However, a teacher shall not be eligible for sick leave during a period of time covered by a child care leave. A pregnant teacher will also provide, at the time of the leave application, a statement from a physician indicating the expected date of delivery.
Subd.4. The School District may adjust the proposed beginning and ending date of a child care leave so that the dates of the leave are coincident with some natural break in the school year - i.e., winter vacation, spring vacation, semester break or quarter break, end of a grading period, end of the school year, or the like.
Subd.5. In making a determination concerning the commencement and duration of a child care leave, the School District shall not, in any event, be required to:
(a) Grant any leave more than twelve (12) months in duration.
(b) Permit the teacher to return to his or her employment prior to the date designated in the request for child care leave.
Subd.6. Teachers returning from childcare leave shall be re-employed in a position for which they are licensed unless previously discharged or placed on unrequested leave.
Subd.7. Failure of the teacher to return pursuant to the date determined under this section shall constitute grounds for termination unless the School District and the teacher mutually agree to an extension in the leave.
Subd.8. Application for return must be made at least two (2) weeks prior to the anticipated return date and be accompanied by a physician’s statement attesting to the good health of the teacher if the child care leave was for maternity.
Child Care Expenses (a) Where an employee is requested or required by the Employer to attend:
(i) Employer endorsed education, training and career development activities, or
(ii) Employer sponsored activities which are not included in the normal duties of the employee's job, and are outside their headquarters or geographic location, such that the employee incurs additional child care expenses, the employee shall be reimbursed for the additional child care expenses up to $60 per day upon production of a receipt.
(b) Where an employee, who is not on leave of absence, attends a course approved by the Employer outside the employee's normal scheduled work day such that the employee incurs additional child care expenses, the employee shall be reimbursed for the additional child care expense up to $30 per day upon production of a receipt. This reimbursement shall not exceed 15 days per calendar year.
(c) Reimbursement in (a) or (b) shall only apply where no one else at the employee's home can provide the child care.
(d) The receipt shall be a signed statement including the date(s), the hourly rate charged, the hours of care provided and shall identify the caregiver/agency.
