Common use of Unpaid Professional Leave Clause in Contracts

Unpaid Professional Leave. Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board will consider granting a leave of absence without pay for not more than one (1) year to contract unit members. The purpose of the leave shall be for further study or other activity designed to improve the individual professionally. Requests for such a leave will generally be submitted prior to March 15, but may be submitted at any time during the school year, provided a suitable replacement is available and the leave does not disrupt the educational program. Requests for such a leave shall indicate the reasons the request is being submitted. a. Upon return from the leave, the unit member shall be accorded the same consideration with respect to salary placement and position assignment as though he or she had been employed by the District during the year on leave. b. When the welfare of the District and the unit member warrants it, consideration shall be given to granting a second year of leave, with but one (1) year applying to advancement on the salary plan. c. At the conclusion of the leave, the unit member shall be reinstated in a position under the terms of Section 9.11. If the building FTE for the year of return is less than the building FTE for the year in which the leave application was approved, then the unit member shall have the same right to remain in the building as other unit members and the terms of Section 9.11 shall not apply. d. While on leave, it is the responsibility of the unit member to keep the Human Resources Office informed at all times of his or her mailing address. During the year of leave, the unit member shall notify the Director of Human Resources, in writing, not later than March 15, whether or not he or she plans to return to duty the following school year. e. A unit member returning from a professional leave must work for three (3) consecutive years before applying for another professional leave.