The Board may, upon request, grant Sabbatical Leave to members of the teaching staff.
Sabbatical Leave may, upon request, be granted to a maximum of one teacher per year.
Where all other considerations are very nearly equal, seniority shall be the basis for awarding Sabbatical Leave.
All applications must be submitted not later than February 1st of the year in which consideration is asked.
Remuneration while on Sabbatical Leave shall be the current basic salary received by the teacher when leave was granted – calculated to a maximum of $47,300.00 effective July 1st, 2004, and such amount to be adjusted annually by the average percentage change negotiated under 3:03.
Sabbatical Leave will be granted for further academic study. The merit of the particular program chosen should be set forth by the teacher applying in a letter to the Board.
Teachers with five (5) years seniority in the Division may qualify.
Payment of the award shall be made on a monthly basis in the same manner as it is presently for teachers on staff. Payment of the award will be made with the provision that the teacher shall return to the Division. If the teacher desires to seek employment elsewhere, the teacher shall repay the amount received as set out below:
If not returning – full payment
If returning for one year only – 75%
If returning for two years only – 50%
If returning for three years – NIL
If a teacher fails to return after Sabbatical, or leaves prior to the end of the forgiveness period, repayment, including interest at the Division’s borrowing rate, shall be made on or before September 1st of the year the teacher would normally resume work in the Division. Upon returning from Sabbatical Leave, the teacher shall assume a position in the Division which is compatible with their training and experience.