EXTENDED LEAVES OF ABSENCE 22.1 LEAVES WITHOUT PAY
22.1.1 Upon submission of the proper leave of absence form to the Human Resources Division, any post-probationary employee may request, upon showing good and sufficient reasons, a leave of absence without pay for one (1) year or more. Such leaves are subject to the approval of the Area Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources upon notification of the principal/supervisor. Leaves of less than one (1) year may be approved by the Area Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources. Applications for leaves of absence shall be submitted no later than April 1. In extenuating circumstances, applications submitted after April 1 may be approved by the Area Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources. (2007)
22.1.2 Written notice must be filed with the Human Resources Division by March 1 of the year in which leave is effective, stating whether or not the employee plans to return. Failure to give such notice will automatically forfeit the right of the employee to return. The Area Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources may, at his/her discretion, approve the leave for an additional period of up to twelve (12) calendar months if unusual or extenuating circumstances are demonstrated. (2001)
22.1.3 The request to extend the leave of absence must be made not later than March 1 of the year in which the leave is effective. After March 1, in cases of extreme emergency, a leave may be extended with approval of the Area Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources. (2001)
22.1.4 Employees granted a leave of absence will return to duty at the same status on the salary schedule, unless the employee has qualified for advancement, as shown at the date leave was granted. He/she shall also be credited with the unused sick leave accumulated at the time the leave of absence was granted. Upon return from a leave of absence of one (1) year or less, every effort shall be made to place the returning employee in the same building, grade or position. (2001)
22.1.5 Should a leave of absence extend beyond one (1) year, the employee’s position at the site may be filled with a standard contract. While every effort shall be made to place the returning employee in the same building, grade or position, if this is not possible, the employee shall be entitled, upon return from the leave, to a position for which he/she is qualified to teach. The employee shall have the opportunity to transfer, and if that does not occur, will be placed with overages. At the time of the approval of the leave, the District shall inform the employee whether his/her position will be filled with a standard contract or a one-year-only, at which time the employee may rescind his/her request for the extended leave. (2001)
22.1.6 Any leave without pay which would result in a gross monthly pay of no less than one-half its usual amount will be deducted from pay in the next pay period. An unpaid leave of absence which, if deducted in one pay period, would result in a gross monthly pay of less than one-half, will be treated as a contract payoff for the time worked prior to the leave of absence. The employee will be in an unpaid status for the remainder of the period of leave of absence. Upon return from leave of absence, the remaining days to be worked will be calculated, and monthly pay for the remainder of the year will be established. (2003)