Common use of Professional Leave Clause in Contracts

Professional Leave. a. Upon the written approval of the Superintendent, Bargaining Unit Members may be granted paid professional leave to attend meetings, conferences, or related activities that can enhance the unit member’s professional abilities and/or benefit the District. Request for such leave shall be made in advance and submitted to the Superintendent using the leave reporting procedures. Request for such leave shall be made at least five (5) days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes to be reimbursed. b. An employee whose leave has been approved shall request direct payment for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process or, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticket. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting or the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination and return whichever is less. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receipts. c. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacher, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twenty-five (25) total students will be assigned to a lab, and no more than thirty (30) total students will be assigned to an academic classroom. d. Other requests for paid leave shall be judged on the merits of the request. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without pay. e. An employee whose leave has been approved shall, upon his or her return and within forty-five (45) days, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to the limits established by the Board.

Professional Leave. Such opportunities include the following: 1. Leave of absence for study. 2. Visits to other classrooms. 3. Scheduled meetings involving ESC personnel and individuals from other county schools. 4. Various committee responsibilities that relate to the school district. 5. Workshops within and outside the district. 6. Educational Service Center meetings. 7. State Support Team meetings. Criteria for Attendance at Professional Meetings/Conferences or Workshops: The following criteria will be considered when evaluating requests for attendance at professional meetings/conferences or workshops. a. Upon To what degree are the written approval content and expected outlines aligned to achieve a common result? b. To what degree are the tasks and timelines logically sequenced to achieve the expected outcomes? c. To what degree will the experiences, when taken as a whole, improve student performance and change adult practice? d. Is there a cost-benefit to the overall plan-weighing the total expected costs against the total expected benefits? e. What is the relationship of the Superintendentabove professional development to any other professional development being offered at the district or building level? f. In what way does the professional development related to the Building Improvement Plan? Conference/workshop attendance rotation is recommended by the building principal to the appropriate district office department. Upon approval from the appropriate district office department, Bargaining Unit Members a unit member may be granted paid professional leave entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of attending the conferences or workshop. Should a unit member or an approved replacement not attend meetingsa conference or workshop, conferences, or related activities they will reimburse the district for the registration fee portion that can enhance was prepaid. This reimbursement will be deducted from the unit member’s professional abilities and/or benefit the District. Request for such leave shall be made in advance and submitted to the Superintendent using the leave reporting procedures. Request for such leave shall be made at least five (5) days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes pay. a. Unit members who are to be reimbursedpresenters in another educational institution may use professional leave and the district shall provide the substitute teacher, if any. b. An employee whose Unit members who are presenters for any other organization may use professional leave has been approved shall request direct payment provided the District is reimbursed for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process or, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticket. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting or the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging substitute, if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination and return whichever is less. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receiptsany. c. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacherunit member may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred such as meals, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twenty-five (25) total students will be assigned to a labmileage, and no more than thirty (30) total students will be assigned to an academic classroomlodging by the organization, but not the Board. d. Other requests After the cost of a substitute for the unit member is paid leave out of compensation paid to the unit member for presentation, any remaining compensation shall be judged on divided equally between the merits of unit member and the requestDistrict. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without payDistrict shall allocate the monies to the building or department in which the unit member works to be used for that building’s programs or for any other mutually agreed upon allocation. e. An employee whose No more than two days of leave has been approved shall, upon his or her return per unit member per year for presentations and within forty-five (45) days, submit one day per unit member per year for a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expensestournament may be authorized under this section. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to the limits established by the Board.20

Professional Leave. Such opportunities include the following: 1. Leave of absence for study. 2. Visits to other classrooms. 3. Scheduled meetings involving ESC personnel and individuals from other county schools. 4. Various committee responsibilities that relate to the school district. 5. Workshops within and outside the district. 6. Educational Service Center meetings. 7. State Support Team meetings. Criteria for Attendance at Professional Meetings/Conferences or Workshops: The following criteria will be considered when evaluating requests for attendance at professional meetings/conferences or workshops. a. Upon To what degree are the written approval content and expected outlines aligned to achieve a common result? b. To what degree are the tasks and timelines logically sequenced to achieve the expected outcomes? c. To what degree will the experiences, when taken as a whole, improve student performance and change adult practice? d. Is there a cost-benefit to the overall plan-weighing the total expected costs against the total expected benefits? e. What is the relationship of the Superintendentabove professional development to any other professional development being offered at the district or building level? f. In what way does the professional development related to the Building Improvement Plan? Conference/workshop attendance rotation is recommended by the building principal to the appropriate district office department. Upon approval from the appropriate district office department, Bargaining Unit Members a unit member may be granted paid professional leave entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred as a result of attending the conferences or workshop. Should a unit member or an approved replacement not attend meetingsa conference or workshop, conferences, or related activities they will reimburse the district for the registration fee portion that can enhance was prepaid. This reimbursement will be deducted from the unit member’s professional abilities and/or benefit the District. Request for such leave shall be made in advance and submitted to the Superintendent using the leave reporting procedures. Request for such leave shall be made at least five (5) days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes pay. a. Unit members who are to be reimbursedpresenters in another educational institution may use professional leave and the district shall provide the substitute teacher, if any. b. An employee whose Unit members who are presenters for any other organization may use professional leave has been approved shall request direct payment provided the District is reimbursed for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process or, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticket. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting or the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging substitute, if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination and return whichever is less. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receiptsany. c. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacherunit member may be reimbursed for any expenses incurred such as meals, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twenty-five (25) total students will be assigned to a labmileage, and no more than thirty (30) total students will be assigned to an academic classroomlodging by the organization, but not the Board. d. Other requests After the cost of a substitute for the unit member is paid leave out of compensation paid to the unit member for presentation, any remaining compensation shall be judged on divided equally between the merits of unit member and the requestDistrict. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without payDistrict shall allocate the monies to the building or department in which the unit member works to be used for that building’s programs or for any other mutually agreed upon allocation. e. An employee whose No more than two days of leave has been approved shall, upon his or her return per unit member per year for presentations and within forty-five (45) days, submit one day per unit member per year for a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall tournament may be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to the limits established by the Boardauthorized under this section.

Professional Leave. a. Upon the written approval of the Superintendent, Bargaining Unit Members Professional leave with pay may be granted paid by the Superintendent or his designee upon approval by the Board of Education in accordance with the following provisions: For the purpose of authorizing attendance at professional leave meetings, the words “professional meetings” shall mean any gathering which in the determination of the superintendent or his/her designee, lends itself to attend meetingsincreasing the knowledge of the participant in his/her assigned teaching field in such a way as to make that individual more valuable to the school system, such as, but not limited to, related seminars, conferences, or related activities that can enhance the unit member’s workshops, approved visitations to other schools and planned in˗service programs. The teacher shall submit a request for professional abilities and/or benefit the District. Request for such leave shall be made in advance including estimated costs and submitted expenses to the building principal, no less than 20 workdays prior to the leave. The building principal will determine, on a case˗by˗case basis, which expenses will be allowable for each professional leave. Allowable expenses may include: registration, mileage, meals and lodging. Meals will be capped at $35.00 per person per day. Mileage will be paid as per Federal Minimum Guidelines. The principal shall notify the teacher of approval or denial on the professional leave form. If the request for leave is denied, the notice will include a reason or reasons for the denial. The denial of professional leave will not be subject to review through the grievance procedure. Upon submission by the teacher on approved expense forms and approval by the Board of Education, the teacher will be reimbursed for the reasonable and necessary costs of transportation, hotel bills, meals, and registration connected with the leave. Only items that were initially approved for reimbursement will be paid. Costs will be reimbursed upon submission of an itemized receipt form with the proper receipts attached. Each teacher taking professional leave will write a report regarding the information gained from the meeting and submit it to the superintendent with the expenditure report. Any request that does not follow the negotiated timeline may be denied. The Superintendent using may require the leave reporting proceduresattendance of teachers at professional meetings. Request for such leave shall be made If travel outside the district is required, at least five (5) school days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes to be reimbursed. b. An employee whose leave has been approved shall request direct payment for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process or, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticket. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement prior notice will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting or given the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination teacher and return whichever is less. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receipts. c. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacher, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twenty-five (25) total students expenses will be assigned to a lab, paid. Leave for clinics and no more than thirty (30) total students tournaments will be assigned granted pursuant to an academic classroomBoard policy. d. Other requests for paid leave shall be judged on the merits of the request. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without pay. e. An employee whose leave has been approved shall, upon his or her return and within forty-five (45) days, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to the limits established by the Board.

Professional Leave. Professional leave with pay may be granted to teachers by the Board upon the recommendation of the Superintendent. A building principal may recommend that more than one (1) member of the building staff may attend a conference subject to the provisions of this section. Professional leave is defined as leave to participate in conventions, conferences, workshops, and school visitations, attendance at which will contribute to the improvement of the Merrillville Community School Corporation's instructional program. Applications for professional leave must be submitted to the building principal. The request shall have the recommendation of the Principal and be sent to the Superintendent for his recommendation. Applications for professional leave should be submitted thirty (30) days in advance if possible. Teachers requesting professional leave would normally be expected to be a member of the professional organization which is sponsoring the conference, convention or workshop. A report on the conference, convention, workshop or school visitation attended shall, upon request, be submitted to interested persons. The Board agrees to reimburse teachers who have been granted professional leave within the limits of a total allocation of $12,000.00 for teacher travel expenses according to the following schedule: a. Upon Food - up to $20.00 per day b. Lodging - up to $60.00 per day c. Mileage - at the written approval rate designated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. When travel is beyond a 300 mile radius, reimbursement will be paid at the rate of air coach fare, including tax. The mileage rate will be paid only for the number of cars that, in the judgment of the Superintendent, Bargaining Unit Members may be granted paid professional leave to attend meetings, conferences, or related activities that can enhance the unit member’s professional abilities and/or benefit the Districtare necessary. Request for such leave Mileage shall be made in advance and submitted to the Superintendent using the leave reporting procedures. Request for such leave shall be made at least five (5) days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes to be reimbursed. b. An employee whose leave has been approved shall request direct payment for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process or, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticket. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting or the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination and return whichever is less. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receipts. c. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacher, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twenty-five (25) total students will be assigned to a lab, and no more than thirty (30) total students will be assigned to an academic classroomAdministration Center. d. Other requests Claims must be submitted on forms prescribed by the State Board of Accounts (available in the Superintendent's office). Receipts for paid leave shall food, lodging and travel (plane and train tickets) must be judged on attached to the merits of the request. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without payClaim form. e. An employee whose leave has been Lodging will not be paid within a radius of one hundred (100) miles. f. Registration fee for the approved shall, upon his or her return and within forty-five (45) days, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expensesconference will be paid. Requests for reimbursement shall Expenses incurred at athletic clinics may be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to reimbursed from the limits established by the Boardathletic fund at rates less than those in this schedule.

Professional Leave. a. A. Upon the written approval of the Superintendent, Bargaining Unit Members may be granted paid professional leave to attend meetings, conferences, or related activities that can enhance the unit member’s professional abilities and/or benefit the District. Request for such leave shall be made in advance and submitted in to the Superintendent using the leave reporting procedures. Request for such leave shall be made at least five (5) days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes to be reimbursed. b. . An employee whose leave has been approved shall request direct payment for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process orshall, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Reimbursement shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticket. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting or the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination and return whichever is lessreturn. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receipts. c. B. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacher, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twenty-five (25) total students will be assigned to a lab, and no more than thirty (30) total students will be assigned to an academic classroom. d. C. Other requests for paid leave shall be judged on the merits of the request. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without pay. e. D. An employee whose leave has been approved shall, upon his or her return and within forty-five (45) days, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to the limits established by the Board.

Professional Leave. a. Upon the written approval of the Superintendent, Professional Leave may be granted to Bargaining Unit Members may be granted paid professional leave to attend meetingsfor the purpose of attending workshops, educational conferences, or related activities that can enhance the unit member’s professional abilities and/or benefit the Districtvisitation. Request Bargaining Unit Members who have approval to attend such meetings or conferences will be considered assigned to duty with full pay of salary and benefits. Requests for such leave Professional Leave shall be made submitted in advance writing and shall specify the purpose and duration of such leave. If the applicable Supervisor denies a request for Professional Leave, then the request may be appealed to the applicable Director and then to the Superintendent. Unless knowledge of the meeting comes late, request for Professional Leave will be submitted to the Bargaining Unit Member’s immediate Supervisor at least two (2) weeks prior to the requested leave. Reimbursement will be paid for the necessary and reasonable expenses pursuant to the mileage, meals, and travel expense in effect at the time of travel. The Board will pay for or reimburse employees for fixed costs for conferences in advance of the event if proper paperwork and receipts are submitted. These costs include but are not limited to registrations, airfare, hotel, and college credits earned at professional events. If the employee fails to travel, cancel or attend the professional event that prepayment was made for, the employee will reimburse the Board within 30 calendar days or by special arrangement with the Treasurer. Reimbursement of prepaid expenses may be waived by the Superintendent using if emergency or extenuating circumstances exist. If participation in or attendance to professional events is canceled by the leave reporting proceduresBoard or event host, the employee will not be held liable for expenses but should attempt to obtain any refunds available. 1. Request for such leave Room reimbursement shall be made at least a maximum daily rate of $150.00. The supervisor may approve a higher rate for extenuating circumstances. Employee must substantiate reimbursement with accurate, detailed, itemized receipts. 2. Daily amount for meal reimbursement per day shall be $50.00. Employee must substantiate reimbursement with accurate, detailed, itemized receipts. A maximum of five (5) days in advance. The unit member shall indicate in the request those expenses for which he/she wishes to be reimbursedreceipts from eating establishments unless multiple receipts show intent of one meal. b. An employee whose leave has been approved shall request direct payment for professional development expenses through the district’s requisition process or, upon his or her return, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses3. Requests for Mileage/travel reimbursement shall be accompanied by receiptsthe applicable IRS travel rate. 4. Staff must use a school vehicle for travel based on availability. Supervisor may grant permission for personal vehicle use under certain circumstances. Reimbursement Rates The above applies to attendance at an approved professional meeting. There shall be made in accordance with the following: Transportation by common carrier Actual cost of ticketfull reimbursement for registration costs and lodging at conference site hotel. Meals A reasonable cost not to exceed $50 per day, actual cost shown on receipt. No reimbursement will be made for meals unless overnight stay is normally involved for Tolles employees attending a multiple day conference/meeting Employee attendance at national or the cost of said meals are included in the registration fee. Reimbursed meals shall include only those that need to be eaten “on the road” because of the travel. Lodging Actual cost as shown on receipt. The district will only pay for or reimburse teachers for lodging if the required event is more than 50 miles away from Tolles. Registration Actual cost as shown on receipt. Mileage IRS approved rate or $0.60 (sixty cents) per mile, whichever is less, calculated from assigned work location or home to destination and return whichever is less. Parking Actual fees as shown on receipt. Miscellaneous Actual cost of local transportation, parking, telephone, etc., as shown on receipts. c. The Superintendent will assign a substitute teacher, as needed, taking safety and educational consistency into consideration, to cover the classes of unit members who have received approval for professional leave. For coverage purposes, no more than twentyout-five (25) total students will be assigned to a lab, and no more than thirty (30) total students will be assigned to an academic classroom. d. Other requests for paid leave of-state meetings shall be judged on the merits of the request. The Superintendent may approve such professional leave without paya rotating basis. e. An employee whose leave has been approved shall, upon his or her return and within forty-five (45) days, submit a written request for reimbursement of necessary and actual expenses. Requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts. Electronic submission of all required paperwork is acceptable. Reimbursement shall be made up to the limits established by the Board.