Common use of Professional Growth Program Clause in Contracts

Professional Growth Program. A. Eligibility All permanent classified employees are eligible to enter the Professional Growth Program. B. Review Committee A Professional Growth Review Committee shall be established. The composition of this committee shall be as follows: 1. Three (3) classified employees selected by CSEA, representing three of the four following classifications: Clerical, Custodial/Transportation, Food Services, Instructional Aides. 2. Two (2) employees appointed by the Superintendent. The Superintendent will appoint the chairman of this committee. The duties of the committee shall include: a) Hear and decide appeals for professional growth credit denied by the Superintendent. b) Recommending additional or revised professional growth policy. C. Criteria for Professional Growth Credit Professional growth credits may be achieved through participation in any of the following activities: 1. Credit may be earned by taking courses at universities, colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, or adult school, or through an accredited correspondence school. It is anticipated that coursework will either be related to improvement of job performance in the position occupied by the employee, or to meeting the requirements of a position in the District to which the employee aspires. Examples of approved courses for each area of work are provided in the attached list (Appendix B). Other courses may be acceptable with the Superintendent's approval. Courses must be completed with a passing grade of C or better to receive credit. One professional growth credit will be awarded for each semester unit earned and 2/3 of a professional growth credit will be awarded for each quarter unit. Credit can not be obtained for courses attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district is paying course tuition. 2. Credit may be earned with the Superintendent's approval by attendance at an appropriate workshop or conference. The workshop or conference must be designed for an exchange of ideas, the presentation and discussion of information, practical methods and skills for improving employee on-the-job performance. Credit for workshops and conferences shall be applied to this program at the rate of one professional growth credit for each eight hours of attendance. Credit can not be obtained for workshops or conferences attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district pays the cost of the workshop or conference. Credit may be earned through individual research designed to improve the performance of assigned duties. Individual research involves a written plan based on the study of a subject that will add to the efficiency or quality of work of the district in general, the person undertaking the project, or his specific classification. An acceptable research project may earn up to a maximum of four points, depending on the quality of the study and the value derived therefrom, as determined by the recommendation of the Professional Growth Review Committee and approval of the Superintendent. Research for credit can not be conducted during the employee's regular working hours or at district expense. D. Application to Participate Prior to commencing growth activities, an employee should complete an application for professional growth credit (See Appendix C), outline anticipated activities, and submit it to the Superintendent. Prior approval is not required, but is recommended as late submission does not guarantee approval by the Superintendent. Approval prior to the completion of the growth activity is required. Any decision of the Superintendent may be appealed to the Superintendent Professional Growth Committee.

Professional Growth Program. A. Eligibility All permanent 35.1 Professional Growth Program: The Professional Growth Program is designed to encourage classified employees to further their education and training. Such a program will encourage classified employees to acquire new skills and abilities and thereby benefit both the employee and the District. A. All employees of the bargaining unit are eligible to enter participate in this program. Credit will not be granted for courses completed prior to the Professional Growth Programimplementation of the program with the exception of employees with current approved professional growth units will carry these units forward with the understanding that future units will meet all of the criteria included in Article XXXV. B. Review Committee A Professional Growth Review Committee shall Employees may earn a “one-time” professional growth stipend upon the completion of a minimum of each nine (9) career related or academic semester units of credit. All course work must be established. The composition of this committee shall approved by the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources or his/her designee towards the “one-time” professional growth stipend and be as follows:either career-related or academic. 1. Three (3) classified employees selected by CSEA, representing three of Career-related means training which is directly related to improving skills needed in the four following classifications: Clerical, Custodial/Transportation, Food Services, Instructional Aidesemployee’s current classification or to develop skills which are required for the employee to qualify for another position in the district. 2. Two (2) employees appointed by the Superintendent. The Superintendent will appoint the chairman of this committee. The duties Academic means training which is part of the committee shall include: a) Hear course work required to be awarded a specific degree from an accredited college or university, or to be awarded a certificate, or credential which is required in the employee’s current classification, improves the employees skills in the current classification, or qualifies the employee for another position in the District. Course work which meets the requirements set for in 35.1 B, may be taken at an accredited university, college, community college, adult school, approved in-service program, approved trade school, or any combination thereof. Approved workshops, institutes, lectures, and decide appeals seminars which meet the criteria set forth in 35.1 B may also qualify. A grade of “C” or better is required for professional growth credit denied by the Superintendent. b) Recommending additional or revised professional growth policyall units completed. C. Criteria for Professional Growth Credit Professional growth credits may be achieved through participation in any of the following activities: 1. Credit may be earned by taking courses at universities, colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, or adult school, or through an accredited correspondence school. It is anticipated that coursework will either be related to improvement of job performance in the position occupied by the employee, or to meeting the requirements of a position in the District to which the employee aspires. Examples of approved courses for each area of work are provided in the attached list (Appendix B). Other courses may be acceptable with the Superintendent's approval. Courses must be completed with a passing grade of C or better to receive credit. One professional growth credit will be awarded for each semester unit earned and 2/3 of a professional growth credit will be awarded for each quarter unit. Credit can not be obtained for courses attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district is paying course tuition. 2. Credit may be earned with the Superintendent's approval by attendance at an appropriate workshop or conference. The workshop or conference must be designed for an exchange of ideas, the presentation and discussion of information, practical methods and skills for improving employee on-the-job performance. Credit for workshops and conferences shall be applied to this program at the rate of one professional growth credit for each eight hours of attendance. Credit can not be obtained for workshops or conferences attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district pays the cost of the workshop or conference. Credit may be earned through individual research designed attendance at workshops, less than semester courses, seminars, lectures, and in-service programs. The Associate Superintendent for Human Resources or his/her designee will determine if specific programs qualify as job related or approved general education courses for credit and determine the amount of credit to improve be awarded. Such programs must be of at least one (1) hour in duration to qualify for credit. Professional growth credit may be earned whether the performance of assigned dutiesconference, seminar, workshop, etc. Individual research involves a written plan based on is district or employee paid. 1. Professional growth credit may be earned if the study of a subject that will add to the efficiency employee is in paid status only if one or quality of work more of the district following conditions are met: a. Vacation Leave, Article XXVI b. Holidays, Article XXVII, including floating holidays 2. Professional growth credit may be earned if the employee is in generalnon-paid status only if one or more of the following conditions are met: a. Training occurs on non-workdays b. The conference, seminar, workshop, etc. begins and ends outside the person undertaking the projectemployee’s normal workday as defined in Article XI. c. Unpaid leave of absence, or his specific classification. An acceptable research project Article XXIII d. Unpaid leave of absence for retraining and study, Article XXIV X. Xxxxxxxxx who have earned two (2) professional growth awards prior to October 1, 1996, may earn up a maximum of two (2) additional “one-time” professional growth stipend per fiscal year. Employees who have earned one (1) professional growth award prior to October 1, 1996, may earn a maximum of three (3) additional “one-time” professional growth stipends per fiscal year. Employees who have not earned any professional growth awards prior to October 1, 1996, may earn a maximum of four points(4) “one-time” professional growth stipends per fiscal year. A maximum of three (3) units credit may be earned through attendance at workshops, depending on the quality of the study seminars, lectures, and the value derived therefrom, as determined by the recommendation of the Professional Growth Review Committee and approval of the Superintendentin-service programs. Research for credit can not be conducted during the employee's regular working hours or at district expense. D. Application to Participate Prior to commencing growth activities, an employee should complete an application When such programs qualify for professional growth credit credit, the following schedule will be used as a guideline when determining the number of credits. CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER UNITS 1 - 3 .07 - .20 4 - 8 .27 - .53 9 - 14 .60 - .93 15 - 19 1.00 - 1.27 20 - 29 1.33 - 1.93 30 - 39 2.00 - 2.60 40 - 44 2.67 - 2.93 45 - and over 3.0 An Adult School class meeting the criteria of paragraph B and meets “X” number of hours per week per semester shall be accepted as an “X” unit class (See Appendix C3 hrs/class/week = 3 unit class), outline anticipated activities, and submit it . E. Employees shall be paid for each professional growth stipend earned. The payment shall be 4% of the employee’s annual salary. F. Verification of units earned must be submitted to the SuperintendentHuman Resources Office within 60 days following the course completion. Prior approval is not required, but is recommended as late submission does not guarantee approval by the Superintendent. Approval prior to the completion Such verification may be unofficial until submitting a request for payment of the professional growth activity is requiredstipend. Any decision of the Superintendent may be appealed to the Superintendent Payment for a Professional Growth Committeestipend shall commence only after verification of units completed by review of an official transcript.

Professional Growth Program. A. Objective - The activities included in the Professional Growth Program will be selected to improve the worker’s skills and abilities resulting in benefit to the operation of the District. The District recognizes that training/retraining is needed to keep the staff up to date in their respective areas of responsibility. The Professional Growth Program is designed to reward workers for their efforts to improve job performance and their value to the District. B. Eligibility All permanent classified employees - Workers are eligible to enter begin to participate in the Professional Growth ProgramProgram upon the completion of one (l) year of continuous and regular employment. Part-time workers who work three (3) hours or more shall be eligible on a pro-rata basis. B. Review Committee A Professional Growth Review Committee shall be established. The composition C. Qualification of this committee shall be as follows:Award 1. Three Professional Growth awards are based upon nine (39) classified employees selected by CSEA, representing three semester units of work taken in accordance with the four following classifications: Clerical, Custodial/Transportation, Food Services, Instructional Aidesprovisions of (D) below. 2. Two Upon approval, professional growth units may be earned for activities outside the worker's job classification series only under the following circumstances: i. If the District anticipates a need in a particular area, it shall invite all workers to apply for certification of eligibility to earn units in that area, regardless of current classification. The number of workers so certified shall depend on the District’s determination of need. Certification of applicants shall be by a committee comprised of one (2l) employees appointed District representative from the Human Resources Department, one (l) District representative from management and one (l) unit representative to be selected by the SuperintendentDistrict from a list of three (3) names submitted by XXXX. This shall not be a standing committee; rather, it shall be formed each time a certification is to occur. ii. Activities which would improve the worker’s skills and abilities in supervisorial positions which relate to positions in the Unit. iii. Activities out of the worker’s job classification series not covered under (a) or (b) above may be considered for units by the District on a case-by-case basis; however, any decisions in this regard shall not be grievable. 3. The Superintendent will appoint the chairman of this committee. The duties of the committee shall include: a) Hear and decide appeals following activities may qualify for professional growth credit denied by the Superintendentunits: i. Community college, college, or university courses; ii. Adult education courses; iii. Trade school business colleges; and iv. District-sponsored or other approved workshops. b) Recommending additional or revised professional growth policy. C. Criteria for Professional Growth Credit Professional growth credits may be achieved through participation in any of the following activities: 14. Credit may for adult education, trade/business courses, and District workshops shall be earned by taking courses at universities, colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, or adult school, or through an accredited correspondence school. It is anticipated that coursework will either be related to improvement equated as follows: One (l) semester unit of job performance in the position occupied by the employee, or to meeting the requirements of a position in the District to which the employee aspires. Examples of approved courses for each area of work are provided in the attached list (Appendix B). Other courses may be acceptable with the Superintendent's approval. Courses must be completed with a passing grade of C or better to receive credit. One professional growth credit will be awarded for each fifteen (15) hours of work. Credit for hours greater or less than fifteen (15) hours of work shall be awarded on a pro-rate basis - for example, twelve (12) hours of work would be awarded point 8 (0.8) semester unit earned units of credit, and eighteen (18) hours of work would be awarded one point two (1.2) units of credit. Quarter units equal 2/3 of a professional growth semester unit. Adult Education Hours: The value of one (l) hour of class/course time shall be equal to point zero six (0.06) semester units. 5. All course work taken must have a grade of C or better in order to be granted Professional Growth credit. Should the course be rated on pass/fail basis, a “pass” must be received for the course. 6. In cases where institutions grant one (l) unit of credit for courses requiring less than fifteen (15) hours of course work, the District reserves the right to grant partial credit based upon the fifteen (15) hours per semester unit standard. D. Procedure - Workers wishing to obtain Professional Growth credit must use the following procedure: 1. Complete Professional Growth Application form at least ten (10) work days prior to the commencement of the course. Extensions shall be granted based on class scheduling problems. The form shall be filled out and signed by the applicant and submitted to the Human Resources Department. The application will be awarded approved/disapproved within five (5) work days. Upon disapproval, worker shall receive written basis for each quarter unit. Credit can not be obtained for courses attended during rejection of the employee's regular working hours or if the district is paying course tuitionapplication. 2. Professional Growth credit will not be granted until official course documents are received in the Human Resources Department. It is the worker’s responsibility to see that transcripts are filed in the Human Resources Departments within the required time limits. 3. Upon initiating a Professional Growth Program, a worker must complete each nine (9) unit award within a three-year period. 4. Credit may will not be earned with given for courses taken while a worker is on unpaid leave from the Superintendent's approval by attendance District, or for courses taken while the worker is on release time, or for courses for which the District pays worker expenses. This does not exclude ten-month workers who take courses during the summer. E. Professional Growth Awards 1. Professional Growth compensation awards of $350 will be granted after completion of nine (9) units of approved course work. 2. Professional Growth awards shall be credited annually at an appropriate workshop or conferencethe end of the fiscal year and paid the following November. The workshop or conference Courses must be designed for an exchange of ideas, completed by June 30 and transcripts received by October 10 in order to receive compensation awards. Workers must notify the presentation and discussion of information, practical methods and skills for improving employee on-the-job performance. Credit for workshops and conferences shall be applied to this program Human Resources Department in writing at the rate time of one professional growth credit registration for each eight hours of attendance. Credit can not be obtained the ninth (9th) unit which would complete requirements for workshops or conferences attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district pays the cost of the workshop or conference. Credit may be earned through individual research designed to improve the performance of assigned duties. Individual research involves a written plan based on the study of a subject that will add to the efficiency or quality of work of the district in general, the person undertaking the project, or his specific classification. An acceptable research project may earn up to a maximum of four points, depending on the quality of the study and the value derived therefrom, as determined by the recommendation of the Professional Growth Review Committee and approval of the Superintendent. Research for credit can not be conducted during the employee's regular working hours or at district expenseaward. D. Application to Participate Prior to commencing growth activities, an employee should complete an application for professional growth credit 3. A worker will be allowed two (See Appendix C), outline anticipated activities, and submit it to the Superintendent. Prior approval is not required, but is recommended as late submission does not guarantee approval by the Superintendent. Approval prior to the completion of the growth activity is required. Any decision of the Superintendent may be appealed to the Superintendent 2) Professional Growth CommitteeAwards within a one (1)-year period. (2015) 4. Workers must be on paid status at the time that award is paid.

Professional Growth Program. A. Objective - The activities included in the Professional Growth Program will be selected to improve the worker’s skills and abilities resulting in benefit to the operation of the District. The District recognizes that training/retraining is needed to keep the staff up to date in their respective areas of responsibility. The Professional Growth Program is designed to reward workers for their efforts to improve job performance and their value to the District. B. Eligibility All permanent classified employees - Workers are eligible to enter begin to participate in the Professional Growth ProgramProgram upon the completion of one (l) year of continuous and regular employment. Part-time workers who work three (3) hours or more shall be eligible on a pro-rata basis. B. Review Committee A Professional Growth Review Committee shall be established. The composition C. Qualification of this committee shall be as follows:Award 1. Three Professional Growth awards are based upon nine (39) classified employees selected by CSEA, representing three semester units of work taken in accordance with the four following classifications: Clerical, Custodial/Transportation, Food Services, Instructional Aidesprovisions of (D) below. 2. Two Upon approval, professional growth units may be earned for activities outside the worker's job classification series only under the following circumstances: i. If the District anticipates a need in a particular area, it shall invite all workers to apply for certification of eligibility to earn units in that area, regardless of current classification. The number of workers so certified shall depend on the District’s determination of need. Certification of applicants shall be by a committee comprised of one (2l) employees appointed District representative from the Human Resources Department, one (l) District representative from management and one (l) unit representative to be selected by the SuperintendentDistrict from a list of three (3) names submitted by SEIU. This shall not be a standing committee; rather, it shall be formed each time a certification is to occur. ii. Activities which would improve the worker’s skills and abilities in supervisorial positions which relate to positions in the Unit. iii. Activities out of the worker’s job classification series not covered under (a) or (b) above may be considered for units by the District on a case-by-case basis; however, any decisions in this regard shall not be grievable. 3. The Superintendent will appoint the chairman of this committee. The duties of the committee shall include: a) Hear and decide appeals following activities may qualify for professional growth credit denied by the Superintendentunits: i. Community college, college, or university courses; ii. Adult education courses; iii. Trade school business colleges; and iv. District-sponsored or other approved workshops. b) Recommending additional or revised professional growth policy. C. Criteria for Professional Growth Credit Professional growth credits may be achieved through participation in any of the following activities: 14. Credit may for adult education, trade/business courses, and District workshops shall be earned by taking courses at universities, colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, or adult school, or through an accredited correspondence school. It is anticipated that coursework will either be related to improvement equated as follows: One (l) semester unit of job performance in the position occupied by the employee, or to meeting the requirements of a position in the District to which the employee aspires. Examples of approved courses for each area of work are provided in the attached list (Appendix B). Other courses may be acceptable with the Superintendent's approval. Courses must be completed with a passing grade of C or better to receive credit. One professional growth credit will be awarded for each fifteen (15) hours of work. Credit for hours greater or less than fifteen (15) hours of work shall be awarded on a pro-rate basis - for example, twelve (12) hours of work would be awarded point 8 (0.8) semester unit earned units of credit, and eighteen (18) hours of work would be awarded one point two (1.2) units of credit. Quarter units equal 2/3 of a professional growth semester unit. Adult Education Hours: The value of one (l) hour of class/course time shall be equal to point zero six (0.06) semester units. 5. All course work taken must have a grade of C or better in order to be granted Professional Growth credit. Should the course be rated on pass/fail basis, a “pass” must be received for the course. 6. In cases where institutions grant one (l) unit of credit for courses requiring less than fifteen (15) hours of course work, the District reserves the right to grant partial credit based upon the fifteen (15) hours per semester unit standard. D. Procedure - Workers wishing to obtain Professional Growth credit must use the following procedure: 1. Complete Professional Growth Application form at least ten (10) work days prior to the commencement of the course. Extensions shall be granted based on class scheduling problems. The form shall be filled out and signed by the applicant and submitted to the Human Resources Department. The application will be awarded approved/disapproved within five (5) work days. Upon disapproval, worker shall receive written basis for each quarter unit. Credit can not be obtained for courses attended during rejection of the employee's regular working hours or if the district is paying course tuitionapplication. 2. Professional Growth credit will not be granted until official course documents are received in the Human Resources Department. It is the worker’s responsibility to see that transcripts are filed in the Human Resources Departments within the required time limits. 3. Upon initiating a Professional Growth Program, a worker must complete each nine (9) unit award within a three-year period. 4. Credit may will not be earned with given for courses taken while a worker is on unpaid leave from the Superintendent's approval by attendance District, or for courses taken while the worker is on release time, or for courses for which the District pays worker expenses. This does not exclude ten-month workers who take courses during the summer. E. Professional Growth Awards 1. Professional Growth compensation awards of $350 will be granted after completion of nine (9) units of approved course work. 2. Professional Growth awards shall be credited annually at an appropriate workshop or conferencethe end of the fiscal year and paid the following November. The workshop or conference Courses must be designed for an exchange of ideas, completed by June 30 and transcripts received by October 10 in order to receive compensation awards. Workers must notify the presentation and discussion of information, practical methods and skills for improving employee on-the-job performance. Credit for workshops and conferences shall be applied to this program Human Resources Department in writing at the rate time of one professional growth credit registration for each eight hours of attendance. Credit can not be obtained the ninth (9th) unit which would complete requirements for workshops or conferences attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district pays the cost of the workshop or conference. Credit may be earned through individual research designed to improve the performance of assigned duties. Individual research involves a written plan based on the study of a subject that will add to the efficiency or quality of work of the district in general, the person undertaking the project, or his specific classification. An acceptable research project may earn up to a maximum of four points, depending on the quality of the study and the value derived therefrom, as determined by the recommendation of the Professional Growth Review Committee and approval of the Superintendent. Research for credit can not be conducted during the employee's regular working hours or at district expenseaward. D. Application to Participate Prior to commencing growth activities, an employee should complete an application for professional growth credit 3. A worker will be allowed two (See Appendix C), outline anticipated activities, and submit it to the Superintendent. Prior approval is not required, but is recommended as late submission does not guarantee approval by the Superintendent. Approval prior to the completion of the growth activity is required. Any decision of the Superintendent may be appealed to the Superintendent 2) Professional Growth CommitteeAwards within a one (1)-year period. (2015) 4. Workers must be on paid status at the time that award is paid.

Professional Growth Program. A. Eligibility All permanent 35.1 Professional Growth Program: The Professional Growth Program is designed to encourage classified employees to further their education and training. Such a program will encourage classified employees to acquire new skills and abilities and thereby benefit both the employee and the District. A. All employees of the bargaining unit are eligible to enter participate in this program. Credit will not be granted for courses completed prior to the Professional Growth Programimplementation of the program with the exception of employees with current approved professional growth units will carry these units forward with the understanding that future units will meet all of the criteria included in Article XXXV. B. Review Committee A Professional Growth Review Committee shall Employees may earn a “one-time” professional growth stipend upon the completion of a minimum of each nine (9) career related or academic semester units of credit. All course work must be established. The composition of this committee shall approved by the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources or his/her designee towards the “one-time” professional growth stipend and be as follows:either career-related or academic. 1. Three (3) classified employees selected by CSEA, representing three of Career-related means training which is directly related to improving skills needed in the four following classifications: Clerical, Custodial/Transportation, Food Services, Instructional Aidesemployee’s current classification or to develop skills which are required for the employee to qualify for another position in the district. 2. Two (2) employees appointed by the Superintendent. The Superintendent will appoint the chairman of this committee. The duties Academic means training which is part of the committee shall include: a) Hear course work required to be awarded a specific degree from an accredited college or university, or to be awarded a certificate, or credential which is required in the employee’s current classification, improves the employees skills in the current classification, or qualifies the employee for another position in the District. Course work which meets the requirements set for in 35.1 B, may be taken at an accredited university, college, community college, adult school, approved in-service program, approved trade school, or any combination thereof. Approved workshops, institutes, lectures, and decide appeals seminars which meet the criteria set forth in 35.1 B may also qualify. A grade of “C” or better is required for professional growth credit denied by the Superintendent. b) Recommending additional or revised professional growth policyall units completed. C. Criteria for Professional Growth Credit Professional growth credits may be achieved through participation in any of the following activities: 1. Credit may be earned by taking courses at universities, colleges, junior colleges, trade schools, or adult school, or through an accredited correspondence school. It is anticipated that coursework will either be related to improvement of job performance in the position occupied by the employee, or to meeting the requirements of a position in the District to which the employee aspires. Examples of approved courses for each area of work are provided in the attached list (Appendix B). Other courses may be acceptable with the Superintendent's approval. Courses must be completed with a passing grade of C or better to receive credit. One professional growth credit will be awarded for each semester unit earned and 2/3 of a professional growth credit will be awarded for each quarter unit. Credit can not be obtained for courses attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district is paying course tuition. 2. Credit may be earned with the Superintendent's approval by attendance at an appropriate workshop or conference. The workshop or conference must be designed for an exchange of ideas, the presentation and discussion of information, practical methods and skills for improving employee on-the-job performance. Credit for workshops and conferences shall be applied to this program at the rate of one professional growth credit for each eight hours of attendance. Credit can not be obtained for workshops or conferences attended during the employee's regular working hours or if the district pays the cost of the workshop or conference. Credit may be earned through individual research designed attendance at workshops, less than semester courses, seminars, lectures, and in-service programs. The Associate Superintendent for Human Resources or his/her designee will determine if specific programs qualify as job related or approved general education courses for credit and determine the amount of credit to improve be awarded. Such programs must be of at least one (1) hour in duration to qualify for credit. Professional growth credit may be earned whether the performance of assigned dutiesconference, seminar, workshop, etc. Individual research involves a written plan based on is district or employee paid. 1. Professional growth credit may be earned if the study of a subject that will add to the efficiency employee is in paid status only if one or quality of work more of the district following conditions are met: a. Vacation Leave, Article XXVI b. Holidays, Article XXVII, including floating holidays 2. Professional growth credit may be earned if the employee is in generalnon-paid status only if one or more of the following conditions are met: a. Training occurs on non-workdays b. The conference, seminar, workshop, etc. begins and ends outside the person undertaking the projectemployee’s normal workday as defined in Article XI. c. Unpaid leave of absence, or his specific classification. An acceptable research project Article XXIII d. Unpaid leave of absence for retraining and study, Article XXIV D. Employees who have earned two (2) professional growth awards prior to October 1, 1996, may earn up a maximum of two (2) additional “one-time” professional growth stipend per fiscal year. Employees who have earned one (1) professional growth award prior to October 1, 1996, may earn a maximum of three (3) additional “one-time” professional growth stipends per fiscal year. Employees who have not earned any professional growth awards prior to October 1, 1996, may earn a maximum of four points(4) “one-time” professional growth stipends per fiscal year. A maximum of three (3) units credit may be earned through attendance at workshops, depending on the quality of the study seminars, lectures, and the value derived therefrom, as determined by the recommendation of the Professional Growth Review Committee and approval of the Superintendentin-service programs. Research for credit can not be conducted during the employee's regular working hours or at district expense. D. Application to Participate Prior to commencing growth activities, an employee should complete an application When such programs qualify for professional growth credit credit, the following schedule will be used as a guideline when determining the number of credits. CREDIT HOURS SEMESTER UNITS 1 - 3 .07 - .20 4 - 8 .27 - .53 9 - 14 .60 - .93 15 - 19 1.00 - 1.27 20 - 29 1.33 - 1.93 30 - 39 2.00 - 2.60 40 - 44 2.67 - 2.93 45 - and over 3.0 An Adult School class meeting the criteria of paragraph B and meets “X” number of hours per week per semester shall be accepted as an “X” unit class (See Appendix C3 hrs/class/week = 3 unit class), outline anticipated activities, and submit it . E. Employees shall be paid for each professional growth stipend earned. The payment shall be 4% of the employee’s annual salary. F. Verification of units earned must be submitted to the SuperintendentHuman Resources Office within 60 days following the course completion. Prior approval is not required, but is recommended as late submission does not guarantee approval by the Superintendent. Approval prior to the completion Such verification may be unofficial until submitting a request for payment of the professional growth activity is requiredstipend. Any decision of the Superintendent may be appealed to the Superintendent Payment for a Professional Growth Committeestipend shall commence only after verification of units completed by review of an official transcript.