Common use of PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT Clause in Contracts

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT. A. In order to encourage professional staff members to take courses which will improve their effectiveness and their value to the classroom, the Board will pay tuition charges, subject to the following limitations: 1. The courses must be related to the teacher’s present or probable assignment and must be approved in advance by the Superintendent. However, the latter restriction may be relaxed at the Superintendent’s or his/her designee’s discretion; 2. The recipient must have two (2) years of teaching experience in Kenilworth before he/she is eligible for reimbursement for courses as hereinafter provided; and 3. Teachers requesting approval of college courses for reimbursement must follow the procedures outlined below: (a) Courses for Doctorate Degree, MA Degree, or MA Degree equivalency courses for salary guide purposes must be in the teacher’s present field of teaching. Courses for the Doctorate Degree where eligible for tuition reimbursement shall not be eligible for salary guide movement beyond the MA+30 column of the salary guide. (b) Courses for Doctorate Degree, MA Degree, or MA Degree equivalency courses for salary guide purposes must be approved in advance by the Superintendent and taken at an authorized institution of higher education as provided by law. Payment will only be made for a course related to the employee’s current or future job responsibilities as certified to by the Superintendent. No more than one third (1/3) of the Doctorate program or Master’s program may be conducted on-line, and at least two thirds (2/3) of the program must be site based. A matriculated program that provides for more than one third (1/3) of the Doctorate program or Master’s program online will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Superintendent. Payment shall be made upon receipt of transcripts, record of payment, and proof of obtaining a final grade average of B or better, for each course in which reimbursement is sought. (c) Courses will not be approved in the following categories: (1) MA Degree in administration and supervision. (2) Courses for certification in other areas of teaching that are not required for present teaching assignment. (3) Equivalency courses primarily for salary guide purposes, without teaching improvement in the classroom. (4) No reimbursement shall be made for courses taken to complete full certification as required by the State Department of Education. (5) The Board will not reimburse for more than twelve (12) credits per year at 85% of the per credit rate charged by Rutgers University. A year will start July 1 of one year to June 30 of the following year. The total amount of funds available shall be capped at $65,000.00 annually. (6) A teacher who expects to be reimbursed must obtain a final grade average of B or better, for each course which reimbursement is sought and shall submit his/her final grade or grades, tuition course and receipt of payment to college or university. (7) Teachers must outline the number of courses they plan on taking in the following school year by December 1st if they seek reimbursement according to this Article. B. Any employee seeking or requesting placement at the MA or six year level on the salary guide for salary guide purposes must so notify the Superintendent annually, in writing, not later than December 1st. Annual notice must be given to the Superintendent as of the time the employee begins a program to attain the MA or six year level on the salary guide. Failure to comply with this notice requirement shall result in said employee being precluded from placement at the MA or sixth year level for salary purposes until such time as any resulting salary increase to said employee is included in the school budget. C.1. Teachers who are required to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session shall be compensated their per diem rate of pay (1/200th) of their annual salaries and the Board shall pay the Seminar/Conference fee. C.2. Teachers who request permission to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session, and whose request is granted by the Superintendent or Designee, shall only be entitled to have the Board pay for the Seminar/Conference fee.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT. A. In order to encourage professional staff members to take courses which will improve their effectiveness and their value to the classroom, the Board will pay tuition charges, subject to the following limitations: 1. The courses must be related to the teacher’s present or probable assignment and must be approved in advance by the Superintendent. However, the latter restriction may be relaxed at the Superintendent’s or his/her designee’s discretion;. 2. The recipient must have two (2) years of teaching experience in Kenilworth before he/she is eligible for reimbursement for courses as hereinafter provided; and. 3. Teachers requesting approval of college courses for reimbursement must follow the procedures outlined below: (a) Courses for Doctorate Degree, MA Degree, or MA Degree or equivalency courses for salary guide purposes must be in the teacher’s present field of teaching. Courses for the Doctorate Degree where eligible for tuition reimbursement shall not be eligible for salary guide movement beyond the MA+30 column of the salary guide. (b) Courses for Doctorate Degree, MA Degree, or MA Degree or equivalency courses for salary guide purposes must be approved in advance by the Superintendent and taken at an authorized institution of higher education as provided by law. Payment will only be made for a course related to the employee’s current accredited university, college or future job responsibilities as certified to by the Superintendentprogram. No more than one third (1/3) of the Doctorate program or Master’s masters program may be conducted on-line, and at least two thirds (2/3) of the program must be site based. A matriculated program that provides for more than one third (1/3) of the Doctorate program or Master’s masters program online will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Superintendent. Payment shall be made upon receipt of transcripts, record of payment, and proof of obtaining a final grade average of B or better, for each course in which reimbursement is sought. (c) Courses will not be approved in the following categories: (1) MA Degree in administration and supervision. (2) Courses for certification in other areas of teaching that are not required for present teaching assignment. (3) Equivalency courses primarily for salary guide purposes, without teaching improvement in the classroom. (4) No reimbursement shall be made for courses taken to complete full certification as required by the State Department of Education. (5) The Board will not reimburse for more than twelve (12) credits per year at 85% of the per credit rate charged by Rutgers University. A year will start July 1 of one year to June 30 of the following year. The total amount of funds available shall be capped at $65,000.00 annually. (6) A teacher who expects to be reimbursed must obtain a final grade average of B or better, for each course which reimbursement is sought and shall submit his/her final grade or grades, tuition course and receipt of payment to college or university. (7) Teachers must outline the number of courses they plan on taking in the following school year by December 1st if they seek reimbursement according to this Article. B. Any employee seeking or requesting placement at the MA or six year level on the salary guide for salary guide purposes must so notify the Superintendent annually, in writing, not later than December 1stOctober 31st. Annual notice must be given to the Superintendent as of the time the employee begins a program to attain the MA or six year level on the salary guide. Failure to comply with this notice requirement shall result in said employee being precluded from placement at the MA or sixth year level for salary purposes until such time as any resulting salary increase to said employee is included in the school budget. C.1. Teachers who are required to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session shall be compensated their per diem rate of pay (1/200th) of their annual salaries and the Board shall pay the Seminar/Conference fee. C.2. Teachers who request permission to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session, and whose request is granted by the Superintendent or Designee, shall only be entitled to have the Board pay for the Seminar/Conference fee.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT. A. In order to encourage professional staff members to take courses which will improve their effectiveness and their value to the classroom, the Board will pay tuition charges, subject to the following limitations: 1. The courses must be related to the teacher’s present or probable assignment and must be approved in advance by the Superintendent. However, the latter restriction may be relaxed at the Superintendent’s or his/her designee’s discretion; 2. The recipient must have two (2) years of teaching experience in Kenilworth received tenure before he/she is eligible for reimbursement for courses as hereinafter providedhereinafter; and 3. Teachers requesting approval of college courses for reimbursement must follow the procedures outlined below: (a) Courses for Doctorate Degree, MA Degree, or MA Degree equivalency All courses for salary guide purposes which reimbursement is requested must be in the teacher’s present field of teaching. Courses for the Doctorate Degree where eligible for tuition reimbursement shall not be eligible for salary guide movement beyond the MA+30 column of the salary guide. (b) Courses for Doctorate Degree, MA Degree, or MA Degree equivalency All courses for salary guide purposes which reimbursement is requested must be approved in advance by the Superintendent and taken at an authorized institution of higher education as provided by law. Payment will only be made for a course related to the employee’s current or future job responsibilities as certified to by the Superintendent. No more than one third (1/3) of the Doctorate program or Master’s program may be conducted on-line, and at least two thirds (2/3) of the program must be site based. A matriculated program that provides for more than one third (1/3) of the Doctorate program or Master’s program online will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Superintendent. Payment shall be made upon receipt of transcripts, record of payment, and proof of obtaining a final grade average of B or better, for each course in which reimbursement is sought. (c) Courses will not be approved in the following categories: (1) MA Degree in administration and supervision. (2) Courses for certification in other areas of teaching that are not required for present teaching assignment. (3) Equivalency courses primarily for salary guide purposes, without teaching improvement in the classroom. (4) No reimbursement shall be made for courses taken to complete full certification as required by the State Department of Education. (5) The Board will not reimburse for more than twelve (12) credits per year at 85% of the per credit rate charged by Rutgers University. A year will start July 1 of one year to June 30 of the following year. The total amount of funds available annually shall be capped at the levels set forth below: 2021-2022: $65,000.00 annually.60,000 2022-2023: $55,000 2023-2024: $50,000 (6) A teacher who expects to be reimbursed must obtain a final grade average of B or better, for each course which reimbursement is sought and shall submit his/her final grade or grades, tuition course and receipt of payment to college or university. (7) Teachers must outline the number of courses they plan on taking in the following school year by December 1st if they seek reimbursement according to this Article. 4. Teachers who receive tuition reimbursement shall remain in the employ of the Board for two (2) additional years after the last year of tuition reimbursement. A teacher who does not remain in the employ of the Board for the requisite period shall be required to repay the Board: (a) 100% of the reimbursed amount paid in the prior year if the teacher leaves the Board’s employ prior to the completion of the first year; and (b) 50% of the reimbursed amount paid in the prior year if the teacher leaves the Board’s employ prior to the completion of the second year. If the teacher leaves the District due to a Reduction In Force (RIF), the teacher shall not be required to repay the Board for reimbursement. B. Any employee seeking or requesting placement at the MA or six year MA+30 level on the salary guide for salary guide purposes must so notify the Superintendent annually, in writing, not later than December 1st. Annual notice must be given to the Superintendent as of the time the employee begins a program to attain the MA or six year MA+30 level on the salary guide. Failure to comply with this notice requirement shall result in said employee being precluded from placement at the MA or sixth year MA+30 level for salary purposes until such time as any resulting salary increase to said employee is included in the school budget. C.1C. 1. Teachers who are required to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session shall be compensated their per diem the flat rate of pay $120 per six (1/200th6) of their annual salaries hour and the Board shall pay the Seminar/Conference fee. In the event that the conference or seminar for which the teacher is required to attend is less than six (6) hours, the payment shall be prorated. C.2C. 2. Teachers who request permission to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session, and whose request is granted by the Superintendent or Designee, shall only be entitled to have the Board pay for the Seminar/Conference fee. C. 3. Teachers who volunteer to attend conferences and seminars when schools are not in session may make application to the Superintendent for payment of the $120 per six (6) hour day. The Superintendent shall have the sole discretion in granting or denying such application. The Superintendent’s decision shall be non-grievable. In the event that the conference or seminar for which the teacher volunteers to attend is less than six (6) hours, the payment shall be prorated.