Purpose
The purpose of this special leave plan is to provide teachers with a minimal financial package in order that they may take a year’s leave of absence from their teaching duties in order to pursue other interests.
The plan is structured to be a minimal cost to the Board and not place the Board in a difficult position regarding staffing.
The plan will commence July 1st, 1998.
Eligibility
A special leave shall be granted by the Board for those teachers who have a minimum of ten (10) full or part time years of continuous service, including approved leaves, in the School District of Mystery Lake.
Guidelines
A successful applicant shall not be eligible to apply for another leave under Article 7.10 for a period of ten 10 years from the date of their leave.
The Salary payable for the one (1) year leave would be the lesser of the difference between the salary of the teacher on leave and the salary of a Class V 1st year teacher’s salary excluding any allowances, or twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.00) less prepaid premiums as outlined in these guidelines. Part time teachers will be pro-rated accordingly.
A teacher on leave is eligible to continue participation in group benefits by requesting to do so in writing and prepaying both the teacher portion and employer portion of such benefits in advance of leave commencing. If there is any rate change during the leave, then the teacher would be charged with such increases on return to their duties.
A minimum of one (1) special leave shall be granted during a school year (as defined in the P.S.A. Regulations).
Application for a leave must be made prior to April 1st in the year preceding the next school year.
When there are more than two (2) applicants, a committee comprised of two (2) trustees, the Superintendent and two (2) TTA Executive members will decide on the successful applicants.
On the termination of the Special Leave the teacher(s) will be reinstated in the position occupied by them at the time they commenced their leave, or in a comparable position with not less than the same wages and benefits, depending on what vacancies are pending at that time.
A special leave shall not be granted concurrently with any other leave.
A special leave shall not count as experience for increment purposes.
A replacement teacher may be hired on a Limited Term General Contract.
A teacher not returning following this leave will not be eligible for any retirement benefits under Article 23.
A teacher shall enter into a formal agreement specifying the terms and conditions of the leave.