Common use of PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT Clause in Contracts

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT. A. The District will provide in-service programs to train employees on new equipment, processes and procedures related to their current job duties. B. The District shall establish a Professional Improvement Fund in the amount of thirty thousand ($30,000) for each year of the contract for the purpose of assisting employees seeking to upgrade and gain new skills. Use of such funds shall be for the cost of enrollment in workshops, seminars, conferences or college courses related to work performed by members of the bargaining unit, or to qualify for advancement into positions represented by the bargaining unit, and/or for the cost of a substitute when necessary to cover the employee’s assignment. Requests for funds shall be submitted through the employee’s Supervisor with final approval to be jointly decided by the Union President or designee and District Human Resources Director or designee prior to taking the course. If a disagreement exists between those two parties, the District Superintendent shall make a final decision. To receive reimbursement, an employee must provide verification of successful completion of the work. If agreeable to the provider, the District will make direct payment to the provider to cover registration fees, etc. Employees may initially apply for eight hundred dollars ($800) in any one year and may request additional funds, up to four hundred dollars ($400), a total of twelve hundred dollars ($1200) after June 1, if any funds remain in the Professional Improvement Fund. Approval for additional funds shall be based on the criteria stated above and shall be on a first come, first served basis. Unused Professional Improvement Fund dollars shall be added to the subsequent year’s $30,000 contribution. Requests that have been approved, but have not yet taken place, shall have funds set aside to ensure coverage of the coursework, workshop, conference or seminar. C. An employee may visit another school or facility within the District or attend a workshop, conference or seminar related to their work assignment during their regular work hours, provided the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of Supervisor

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT. A. The District will provide in-service inservice programs to train employees on new equipment, processes and procedures related to their current job duties. B. The District shall establish a Professional Improvement Fund in the amount of thirty thousand ($30,000) for each year of the contract for the purpose of assisting employees seeking to upgrade and gain new skills. Use of such funds shall be for the cost of enrollment in workshops, seminars, conferences or college courses related to work performed by members of the bargaining unit, or to qualify for advancement into positions represented by the bargaining unit, and/or for the cost of a substitute when necessary to cover the employee’s assignment. Requests for funds shall be submitted through the employee’s Supervisor with final approval to be jointly decided by the Union President or designee and District Human Resources Director or designee prior to taking the course. If a disagreement exists between those two parties, the District Superintendent shall make a final decision. To receive reimbursement, an employee must provide verification of successful completion of the work. If agreeable to the provider, the District will make direct payment to the provider to cover registration fees, etc. Employees may initially apply for eight hundred dollars ($800) in any one year and may request additional funds, up to four hundred dollars ($400), a total of twelve hundred dollars ($1200) after June 1April 30th, if any funds remain in the Professional Improvement Fund. Approval for additional funds shall be based on the criteria stated above and shall be on a first come, first served basis. Unused Professional Improvement Fund dollars shall be added to the subsequent year’s $30,000 contribution. Requests that have been approved, but have not yet taken place, shall have funds set aside to ensure coverage with a maximum total fund amount of the coursework, workshop, conference or seminar$50,000. C. An employee may visit another school or facility within the District or attend a workshop, conference or seminar related to their his/her work assignment during their his/her regular work hours, hours provided the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of Supervisor 2. Coverage of work assignment 3. Documentation provided to validate attendance D. The District shall pay the full cost of tuition fees, supplies, mileage for out-of-district travel, and any other related expenses for any class, workshop or seminar an employee is required to attend. The District shall provide time during regular working hours, or shall provide paid time outside of working hours, for any required trainings, including any video/computer trainings. If such attendance is required outside the employee’s work hours, the employee shall be paid at his/her hourly rate and, if applicable, overtime. The District shall provide notice of any training to be provided during the summer by April 1.

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT. A. The District will provide in-service programs to train employees on new equipment, processes and procedures related to their current job duties. B. The District shall establish a Professional Improvement Fund in the amount of thirty sixty thousand ($30,00060,000) for each year of the contract for the purpose of assisting employees seeking to upgrade and gain new skills. Use of such funds shall be for the cost of enrollment in workshops, seminars, conferences or college courses related to work performed by members of the bargaining unit, or to qualify for advancement into positions represented by the bargaining unit, and/or for the cost of a substitute when necessary to cover the employee’s assignment. Requests for funds shall be submitted through the employee’s Supervisor with final approval to be jointly decided by the Union President or designee and District Human Resources Director or designee prior to taking the course. If a disagreement exists between those two parties, the District Superintendent shall make a final decision. To receive reimbursement, an employee must provide verification of successful completion of the work. If agreeable to the provider, the District will make direct payment to the provider to cover registration fees, etc. Employees may initially apply for eight hundred two thousand dollars ($8002000) in any one year and may request additional funds, up to four five hundred dollars ($400500), a total of twelve two thousand five hundred dollars ($12002500) after June 1, if any funds remain in the Professional Improvement Fund. Approval for additional funds shall be based on the criteria stated above and shall be on a first come, first served basis. Unused Professional Improvement Fund dollars shall be added to the subsequent year’s sixty thousand $30,000 contribution60,000 contribution up to a maximum fund amount of $100,000. Requests that have been approved, but have not yet taken place, shall have funds set aside to ensure coverage of the coursework, workshop, conference or seminar. C. An employee may visit another school or facility within the District or attend a workshop, conference or seminar engage in professional improvement related to their work assignment during their regular work hours, provided the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of Supervisor 2. Coverage of work assignment 3. Documentation provided to validate attendance D. The District shall pay the full cost of tuition fees, supplies, mileage for out-of-district travel, and any other related expenses for any class, workshop or seminar an employee is required to attend. As much as is practical, the District shall schedule required training during employees’ work hours. If such attendance is required outside the employee’s work hours, the employee shall be paid at their hourly rate and, if applicable, overtime. The District shall provide notice of any training to be provided during the summer by April 1. E. Employees not required to attend District-provided First Aid/CPR classes may attend on non- work time without compensation. F. In the event that an employee has been assigned work out-of-classification for a period of time exceeding three (3) days, the employee assigned that work may request a consultation with their Immediate Supervisor and may request training and prioritization of duties. G. Upon request, the District shall provide Highly Qualified testing opportunities for any interested Classified employee. Upon successful completion of the test, employees shall be offered reimbursement for testing fees from the Classified Professional Improvement Fund.

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT. A. The District will provide in-service programs to train employees on new equipment, processes and procedures related to their current job duties. B. The District shall establish a Professional Improvement Fund in the amount of thirty sixty thousand ($30,00060,000) for each year of the contract for the purpose of assisting employees seeking to upgrade and gain new skills. Use of such funds shall be for the cost of enrollment in workshops, seminars, conferences or college courses related to work performed by members of the bargaining unit, or to qualify for advancement into positions represented by the bargaining unit, and/or for the cost of a substitute when necessary to cover the employee’s assignment. Requests for funds shall be submitted through the employee’s Supervisor with final approval to be jointly decided by the Union President or designee and District Human Resources Director or designee prior to taking the course. If a disagreement exists between those two parties, the District Superintendent shall make a final decision. To receive reimbursement, an employee must provide verification of successful completion of the work. If agreeable to the provider, the District will make direct payment to the provider to cover registration fees, etc. Employees may initially apply for eight hundred two thousand dollars ($8002000) in any one year and may request additional funds, up to four five hundred dollars ($400500), a total of twelve two thousand five hundred dollars ($12002500) after June 1, if any funds remain in the Professional Improvement Fund. Approval for additional funds shall be based on the criteria stated above and shall be on a first come, first served basis. Unused Professional Improvement Fund dollars shall be added to the subsequent year’s sixty thousand $30,000 contribution60,000 contribution up to a maximum fund amount of $100,000. Requests that have been approved, but have not yet taken place, shall have funds set aside to ensure coverage of the coursework, workshop, conference or seminar. C. An employee may visit another school or facility within the District or attend a workshop, conference or seminar engage in professional improvement related to their work assignment during their regular work hours, provided the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of Supervisor 2. Coverage of work assignment 3. Documentation provided to validate attendance D. The District shall pay the full cost of tuition fees, supplies, mileage for out-of-district travel, and any other related expenses for any class, workshop or seminar an employee is required to attend. As much as is practical, the District shall schedule required training during employees’ work hours. If such attendance is required outside the employee’s work hours, the employee shall be paid at their hourly rate and, if applicable, overtime. The District shall provide notice of any training to be provided during the summer by April 1. E. Employees not required to attend District-provided First Aid/CPR classes may attend on non-work time without compensation. F. In the event that an employee has been assigned work out-of-classification for a period of time exceeding three (3) days, the employee assigned that work may request a consultation with their Immediate Supervisor and may request training and prioritization of duties. G. Upon request, the District shall provide Highly Qualified testing opportunities for any interested Classified employee. Upon successful completion of the test, employees shall be offered reimbursement for testing fees from the Classified Professional Improvement Fund.

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT. A. The District will provide in-service inservice programs to train employees on new equipment, processes and procedures related to their current job duties. B. The District shall establish a Professional Improvement Fund in the amount of thirty thousand ($30,000) for each year of the contract for the purpose of assisting employees seeking to upgrade and gain new skills. Use of such funds shall be for the cost of enrollment in workshops, seminars, conferences or college courses related to work performed by members of the bargaining unit, or to qualify for advancement into positions represented by the bargaining unit, and/or for the cost of a substitute when necessary to cover the employee’s assignment. Requests for funds shall be submitted through the employee’s Supervisor with final approval to be jointly decided by the Union President or designee and District Human Resources Director or designee prior to taking the course. If a disagreement exists between those two parties, the District Superintendent shall make a final decision. To receive reimbursement, an employee must provide verification of successful completion of the work. If agreeable to the provider, the District will make direct payment to the provider to cover registration fees, etc. Employees may initially apply for eight No employee shall receive more than three hundred dollars ($800300) in any one year and year, except as set forth below: 1. The District shall establish a list of priority areas for professional development by July 1st of each year 2. Employees who are approved for reimbursement in a District priority area may request additional funds, receive up to four five hundred dollars ($400), a total of twelve hundred dollars ($1200500) after June 1, if in any funds remain in the Professional Improvement Fund. Approval for additional funds shall be based on the criteria stated above and shall be on a first come, first served basis. Unused Professional Improvement Fund dollars shall be added to the subsequent one year’s $30,000 contribution. Requests that have been approved, but have not yet taken place, shall have funds set aside to ensure coverage of the coursework, workshop, conference or seminar. C. An employee may visit another school or facility within the District or attend a workshop, conference or seminar related to their his/her work assignment during their his/her regular work hours, hours provided the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of Supervisor 2. Coverage of work assignment 3. Documentation provided to validate attendance D. In the event that the District provides a general orientation session for all employees during the school year and the orientation session is not held on the employees’ workday, the employees will be paid their hourly rate of pay for attending the orientation. E. The District will provide new employees with an orientation that will include a review of employment documents to be completed, District procedures and practices, and any state and/or federal mandated orientation/training program. F. The District shall pay the full cost of tuition fees, supplies, mileage, and any other related expenses for any class, workshop or seminar an employee is required to attend. If such attendance is required outside the employee’s work hours, the employee shall be paid at his/her hourly rate and, if applicable, overtime.

PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT. A. The District will provide in-service programs to train employees on new equipment, processes and procedures related to their current job duties. B. The District shall establish a Professional Improvement Fund in the amount of thirty thousand ($30,000) for each year of the contract for the purpose of assisting employees seeking to upgrade and gain new skills. Use of such funds shall be for the cost of enrollment in workshops, seminars, conferences or college courses related to work performed by members of the bargaining unit, or to qualify for advancement into positions represented by the bargaining unit, and/or for the cost of a substitute when necessary to cover the employee’s assignment. Requests for funds shall be submitted through the employee’s Supervisor with final approval to be jointly decided by the Union President or designee and District Human Resources Director or designee prior to taking the course. If a disagreement exists between those two parties, the District Superintendent shall make a final decision. To receive reimbursement, an employee must provide verification of successful completion of the work. If agreeable to the provider, the District will make direct payment to the provider to cover registration fees, etc. Employees may initially apply for eight hundred dollars ($800) in any one year and may request additional funds, up to four hundred dollars ($400), a total of twelve hundred dollars ($1200) after June 1, if any funds remain in the Professional Improvement Fund. Approval for additional funds shall be based on the criteria stated above and shall be on a first come, first served basis. Unused Professional Improvement Fund dollars shall be added to the subsequent year’s $30,000 contribution. Requests that have been approved, but have not yet taken place, shall have funds set aside to ensure coverage of the coursework, workshop, conference or seminar. C. An employee may visit another school or facility within the District or attend a workshop, conference or seminar related to their work assignment during their regular work hours, provided the following conditions are met: 1. Approval of Supervisor 2. Coverage of work assignment 3. Documentation provided to validate attendance D. The District shall pay the full cost of tuition fees, supplies, mileage for out-of-district travel, and any other related expenses for any class, workshop or seminar an employee is required to attend. The District shall provide time during regular working hours, or shall provide paid time outside of working hours, for any required trainings, including any video/computer trainings. If such attendance is required outside the employee’s work hours, the employee shall be paid at their hourly rate and, if applicable, overtime. The District shall provide notice of any training to be provided during the summer by April 1.