A teacher with at least twenty (20) consecutive months of paid teaching service in the division, may apply for a leave of absence at no loss of tenure provided that:
a) Applications are made not later than February 1st of the year leave is required.
b) The Division will attempt to place any teacher returning from such leave in the same or comparable position to that occupied by the teacher prior to the commencement of the leave. However, the Division retains the right to determine the placement of such teacher.
c) A teacher on leave of absence shall notify the Division of his/her intention to return or not to return on staff not later than March 31st of the year the leave of absence expires.
d) The Division will consider each application for leave of absence on its own merit. The Board's decision shall be final.