Common use of College Coursework Clause in Contracts

College Coursework. Each teacher who successfully passes a three-hour pre-approved university or college course in the teacher’s area of assignment, or that fulfills the requirements of an additional endorsement, or for a Master’s, Specialist, or Doctoral Degree in the teacher’s area of assignment shall receive the increase per 3-hour course. Courses that are not 3 hours will be prorated on a per hour basis, which shall be determined at the time of pre-approval. The Administration has final authority on the percent increase per course, which shall be determined at the time of pre-approval. Bargaining members are limited to 6 hours of pre-approved credit per year with the exception of District required graduate program coursework. All courses must be pre-approved as provided for in article 3.6 of the negotiated agreement. The increase will be paid for the entire school year based upon the summer, spring, and fall prior to the current school year. Should new courses be offered to students, all current Olympia teachers shall be offered the opportunity to apply for said positions. If the District approves a teacher to take coursework for these new courses or to expand their endorsements to meet the needs of the District (ex. Driver’s Education, technology course), the District shall either a) provide the incentive inside the schedule and remove the 6 hour course limit and factor cap, or b) reimburse teachers for 50% of the coursework costs. If the teacher selects option b), as a condition of reimbursement from the District, the teacher agrees to work in that position for four (4) years or the teacher will repay, at a prorated amount, the District’s cost if the teacher vacates the position early. Any teacher currently enrolled in a graduate degree seeking program as of January 1, 2022, will be honored under the previous contract language and will not be subject to the coursework caps above if the degree seeking program has an imposed / required course schedule that exceeds the cap. *Approved graduate hours earned during 2021-2022 (up to 12) will be applied in the 2022-2023 school year.