a. When the Board requests a teacher to take a course in preparation for a specific teaching assignment, the Board shall pay an allowance to a maximum of five hundred dollars ($500.00) towards expenditures incurred if the teacher contracts to return for a minimum of two (2) years after such a course. If this two (2) year contract period of service is not completed by the teacher, then the allowance shall be diminished in proportion of the number of uncompleted teaching days remaining in the contract period, and any money in excess of the calculated allowance received by the teacher shall be considered as a short term loan returnable to the Board within one (1) month of termination of employment.
b. When the request is made, if it appears that expenses will exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), the Board may increase the amount commensurate with the additional expense. Such arrangements shall be made prior to the course being taken.
University Course Grants of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.00) per half course up to two (2) half courses shall be available to those teachers taking courses at a recognized post secondary institution. Effective September 2015 the amount for University Course Grants available to teachers will increase to five hundred dollars ($500.00) per half course up to two (2) half courses. The total sum available for all courses shall increase from ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) to fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) effective September 2015. In the event that a full allocation of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) is not applied for, the applicants will be so advised and given the opportunity to apply for a further two half courses, on a first come, first served basis until the Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) maximum has been reached. Details regarding the application of this clause are described in Board Policy 2.A.215.