Special Training Opportunities for ELL Tutors. The District has implemented and shall maintain a program designed to encourage career development for ELL Tutors, leading to a degree in Bilingual Education or an endorsement in ESL. Each year the District shall deposit a minimum of $10,000 into a training account to fund tuition reimbursement for ELL Tutors engaged in a bona fide program of education. Employee participation in the program will require proof of acceptance into a course of study designed to result in the tutor's attainment of an advanced certificate or a degree in Bilingual Education. All employees interested in participating in the training program must notify the District no later than May 31 for the upcoming school year. If less than $10,000 is required to fund the training commitment, the District may allocate the funding to another program within the ELL Department. The District commits to maintain the availability of funds for tuition reimbursement at a reasonable level, except in the case of emergency conditions which mandate severe budget cuts for staff training programs District-wide. Available funding will be distributed fairly among applicants, in such a manner as to ensure maximum participation. 108 ASSOCIATION LEAVE BANK There is hereby created an Association Leave Bank administered by the District, with a semi-annual report of the balance and withdrawals provided to the Association. Employees accruing leave shall contribute annually three (3) hours to the Bank through payroll deduction during the first thirty (30) calendar days of employment and/or when the amount of Association leave time in the Bank is less than 750 hours. Withdrawal requests from the Bank, except for 110 hours per week deducted by the District for funding of the TOTEM Labor Liaison position, will be for the purposes of Agreement negotiations, Executive meetings, Association sponsored training, and other Association-related purposes. Requests for withdrawals from the Bank shall be made by the Association President in accordance with District procedures with a copy of the request sent to the Association. Such requests shall be approved and shall not be unreasonably denied. Leave transferred to the Bank is final and not recoverable for re- credit to an employee's annual leave. Bank accumulation is not transferable to any other bargaining unit.
