FILE:  GBRH

PROFESSIONAL LEAVE

The Acadia Parish School Board recognizes the value of attending regional and national educational meetings in order to become exposed to new ideas and developments in various areas of public school education.  Therefore, the Superintendent or his/her designee may grant professional leave to an employee wishing to attend any educationally related conference, meeting, or convention, if such attendance is considered to be in the best interests of the school district.  The Board may pay all or any part of expenses of any personnel whom it may direct to represent it at any such professional or educational meeting or in visitation to another school system.  In all such cases, prior approval for said expenses must be given by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

Application and notification to attend a conference or similar educational meeting shall be made in writing and approved as far in advance of the meeting as possible.  The written request shall include dates, subjects to be covered, and sponsoring agency.

Employees who request and receive written approval from or are directed by their supervisors to be absent from work assignment to attend a meeting, workshop, or other work related activity, shall indicate excused absence on their time-keeping form.

LEAVE FOR STATE BOARD OR COMMISSION

Leave with pay shall be granted any school system employee who is an elected member of the Board of Trustees of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana or the Louisiana School Employees Retirement System, an elected or appointed member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), or an appointed member of any task force, commission, or other advisory body established by BESE so that such employee may attend meetings of the entity and any committees thereof on which the employee serves.

The School Board shall require any employees who may serve on the public entities outlined above to provide notice to the Board of the dates and times of all meetings of the entity and any committees thereof that are scheduled to occur on a regular basis and reasonable notice to the School Board of any special or otherwise unscheduled meetings.

Any employee serving on such an entity shall apply in writing for such leave in a timely manner, but in no case less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date of the meeting, except in an emergency.  The employee shall also be required to submit proper documentation that the leave granted was used for the purposes for which requested.  Improper use of said leave may result in reimbursement to the School Board of any compensation paid the employee for the leave days taken, and may lead to discipline of the employee up to and including termination.

TRAVEL GUIDELINES

Everyone is aware that there is a need to be on the job; therefore, travel for workshops, conferences, etc., must be streamlined.  In an effort to reduce travel, including expenses that result from such travel, the following guidelines were adopted by the School Board.

• Immediate supervisors must monitor travel closely relative to the purpose for traveling, the number of requests previously submitted, and the number of days away from work.
   

• When completing the Request to Attend or Participate in Professional Meeting or Activity form, an individual must briefly state the rationale for attending and attach an agenda.
   

• School level requests for travel must be based on need(s) as identified in the school improvement plan and should involve the acquisition for information relative to research-based strategies, programs, etc.
   

• Except when justified, no more than two teachers per school should attend a particular workshop, conference, etc.
   

• Principal’s/teacher’s travel to out of state conferences should lead to documented staff development activities at his/her school.
   

• Individuals requesting travel may be asked to submit a Professional Development Activity Report.
   

• When requesting out of state travel for a conference, an individual should be affiliated with the state or national organization of the sponsoring group.
   

•  Whenever possible, car pooling should be utilized.

Revised:  October, 2003     

Revised:  September, 2006

Approved:  December 4, 2006

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:1186

            Board minutes, 6-6-94, 7-7-03, 12-4-06

Acadia Parish School Board