FILE: GBRIJ
LEAVE WITHOUT PAY
The Vernon Parish School Board may grant leave of absence, without pay, to any regularly employed teacher or other employee for periods of time not to exceed one year. Such leave may be granted by the School Board, upon proper request in writing by the employee or the Superintendent, whenever in the discretion of the School Board such leave is in the best interest of the school district.
At the time leave without pay is granted, the School Board may declare that all or certain of such leaves shall not be deemed to interrupt active service for sabbatical leave purposes.
The School Board shall only pay its share of health insurance for an employee on leave without pay whose need for leave has been medically documented by a physician.
Leave without pay may be requested and may be granted for the following reasons:
Extended Illness or Recuperation in the absence of sick leave or the requirement to be a primary care giver for immediate family (spouse, parent or child). Leave without pay shall not exceed one year. The request must be substantiated by a physician’s statement. The employee may not undertake additional gainful employment while on leave without pay, unless all of the following conditions are met:
The employee can demonstrate that he will be working not more than twenty (20) hours per week in a part-time job that he has been working for not less than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the beginning of any period of leave without pay.
The physician who certifies the medical necessity of the leave indicates that such part-time work does not impair the purpose for which the leave without pay is required.
Professional Study or Advancement When Not Eligible for Sabbatical Leave: An employee on leave without pay for professional study or advancement must enroll as a full-time student as designated by the college or university in an appropriate educational field. Leave without pay for professional advancement or study will not be granted immediately following a Sabbatical leave unless waived by the School Board
Work with State or Federal Education Agencies: The employee’s request for leave must be accompanied by an official request of the employee’s services by the Agency. Leave without pay for work with State or Federal Education Agencies will not be granted immediately following a Sabbatical leave
Have an extraordinary professional development opportunity that would be beneficial to the educational program in the Vernon Parish School System
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent
An employee returning from a leave without pay shall be returned to his/her former position and salary.
Leave without pay shall not be granted to employees who have or will assume a position of employment outside the Vernon Parish School System or who are pursuing training for future employment outside the Vernon Parish School Board.
Revised (formerly in policy GBRIA): May, 2011
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:1186
Board minutes, 5-5-11
Vernon Parish School Board