The Division shall provide $160,000 in each school year to the Association to establish a Professional Development Fund for individual professional development of teachers.
The Fund is subject to the following:
(a) The Fund shall be administered by the Association.
(b) Release time of the teacher shall be paid for by the Division and must be approved in advance by the school principal; such release time is subject to the availability of a suitable substitute.
(c) At the end of each school year the Association will present a detailed report to the Division regarding the operation of the Fund.
(d) At the end of each school year the Association shall carry forward any remaining money in the Fund for use in the next school year.
(a) Teachers with two or more complete years in the Division may be paid an allowance toward tuition fees of approved academic, professional or other specialized courses relative to their teaching area. Approval of such allowance will be premised on the requirements of the Division for such improved qualifications in specific subject areas.
(b) Applications for such allowances with complete information as to the type and location of the course(s) and its relevance and application to the teaching program of the applicant, will be received by the Chief Superintendent. The successful applicant and the amount of tuition allowance will be decided by the Board not more than forty-five (45) days after the application has been received by the Chief Superintendent.
(c) Teachers may apply for approval of up to three courses. Tuition allowances shall be paid for only one of the approved courses.
(d) A teacher granted a tuition allowance shall agree to serve an additional two years in the Division after the completion of the course. If this Agreement is broken, the teacher shall reimburse the Division on a proportionate basis.
(e) Payment of the tuition allowance will be authorized on presentation of evidence of successful completion of the course.