1. Discretionary leave of absence, without pay, may be granted, by the Education Authority, upon a written request by a teacher who has completed a minimum of five (5) consecutive years of service with the Education Authority, provided his/her request is received prior to March 31 in any contract year. Not more than two (2) members of the teaching staff shall be on a leave of absence in any one (1) contract year.
2. A teacher who is returning from a leave of absence, shall, whenever possible, be placed in the position he/she held prior to his/her commencement of the leave of absence. When that is not possible, consideration will be given to placing the returning teacher in a position that is comparable to the position previously held by that teacher.