Professional Development and Educational Improvements. Expenses of Professional Workshops and Conferences
Professional Development and Educational Improvements. A. The Committee will pay reasonable expenses (including fees, meals, and/or transportation) incurred by teachers who attend workshops, seminars, conferences, or other professional improvement sessions at the request and with the advance approval of the Superintendent.
B. Effective September 1, 2007, the School Committee will reimburse the cost of tuition or CEUs for applicable employees up to seven hundred dollars ($700) per teacher per school year contingent upon the prior approval of the Superintendent of Schools for courses taken and passed at accredited colleges and universities, or an approved equivalent. In order to be eligible for reimbursement and salary advancement, all online courses must have a specified start and end date and must contain a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of work for every graduate credit. Online courses must include a regular weekly interaction with the professor/instructor and required discussions in which the member must participate. Online courses must have assignments that are posted and graded by the professor. Self-paced modules shall not be eligible. Courses that do not meet the above criteria may be considered as graduate credit for reimbursement and/or advancement on the salary scale if approved in advance by the superintendent. Notwithstanding the foregoing language in this section, the maximum amount to be expended by the School Committee during the 2018-2019 school year for tuition reimbursement shall be capped at twenty-four thousand five hundred and twenty-six dollars ($24,526.00). Ten percent (10%) of the tuition reimbursement budget will be set aside for CEUs required for re-licensure for certain service providers. If not committed by April 1, those funds will be returned to the tuition reimbursement budget. The remaining ninety percent (90%) of the tuition reimbursement budget will be available for all members. For each school year thereafter, the cap shall be recalculated based on the following formula: the total dollar amount that was reimbursed to bargaining unit members in the previous year shall be multiplied by 1.1 to arrive at the maximum tuition reimbursement amount for that year. The tuition reimbursement cap may increase or decrease from year to year, however, the cap shall not go lower than twelve thousand dollars ($12,000). A transcript indicating a grade of B – or better, or an approved equivalent, and a receipt for the tuition shall be presented to the Superintendent, and reimbursement to the teac...
Professional Development and Educational Improvements. 18.1 The Association may submit a list of topics appropriate for professional development programs 45 calendar days prior to the professional development activity.
18.2 Where possible, any federal and state law which directly affects the changing of instructional programs and/or students in the District shall not be instituted until appropriate Professional Development is provided to those employees directly involved with such implementation.
18.3 A committee in accordance with Article 2.5 shall be established to make recommendations and develop guidelines concerning the use of professional development days. These guidelines will include salary deductions for non- compliance. The committee will meet annually, beginning by February 1 of each year and shall submit its recommendations by April 1 of each year to the Superintendent and/or designee for review, comment, and final approval. Buildings shall have the opportunity to submit building plans for use of professional development days prior to the convening of this committee. An explanation would be given if the proposal was not used. The recommendations approved will be distributed to all employees on an annual basis prior to the end of each school year.
18.4 All employees shall be given equal opportunity to attend recognized professional development and educational improvement activities consistent with Board policy. Final approval must be granted by the administration.
18.4.1 Where individuals see benefit, a request can be made to attend professional development outside of district. It is understood that approval will not be to the detriment of missing district professional development activities and is subject to the approval of the Superintendent or designee.
Professional Development and Educational Improvements. 16.1 The Board and the Association recognize the obligation of employees to participate in professional development programs for the improvement of employee performance. Each employee who participates in professional development programs at the District level shall be given an opportunity to evaluate such programs.
16.1.1 At least the equivalent of two designated professional development days shall be provided each year for all paraprofessionals with full pay without cost to the Association.
16.2 Where professional development workshops occur beyond the normal work day, employees required to attend the activity shall be compensated at no lower than the State rate of pay, or at the employee’s option, in-service credit, if available.
16.3 If the Board requires an employee to attend any workshop or conference outside the District the Board shall pay necessary expenses as follows:
(a) Travel by private automobile shall be reimbursed at the State mileage rate plus tolls, if applicable. Travel by commercial carrier shall be coach class or the equivalent thereof except that the Board may approve other than coach class on and adhoc basis.
(b) Reimbursement for meals and lodging shall be at the rate established or approved by the Board.
(c) Where travel, meals and lodging are approved and the employee elects to commute such reimbursement shall be no greater than the cost of round- trip transportation, meals and lodging.
(d) Alternative financial arrangements to those set forth herein shall be by mutual agreement of the Board and the employee.
16.4 Paraprofessionals will be permitted to attend District and building professional development programs for teachers that occur outside of their regular work day.
16.5 There shall be professional development days determined by Administration that Paraprofessionals shall not attend. The Paras shall be informed of these dates.
16.6 Employees who are required to implement programs required by student IEPs will receive training and be supervised when implementing the programs.
16.7 A Staff Development Committee will meet annually to develop recommendations for in-service programs and other training needs. When it is mutually agreed to hold a meeting during the work day, release time will be provided.
Professional Development and Educational Improvements. (a) FRCS will pay reasonable expenses (including fees, tuition, boarding and/or transportation) incurred by bargaining unit employees who attend workshops, seminars, conferences, or other professional improvement sessions at the request and with the advance approval of the Executive Director or designee.
Professional Development and Educational Improvements
