Policy 5400 - Personnel Leaves

Upon the recommendation of the superintendent or designee and in accordance with the law district policy, staff may be granted leaves pursuant to the following conditions, unless the applicable collective bargaining agreement provides otherwise. 

1. Return from Leaves. At the end of any leave shorter than 20 days in duration, sabbatical leave, or sick leave which does not exhaust the staff member's accumulated sick leave, the affected staff member is entitled to return to the position held when the leave commenced or to an appropriate comparable position. 
2. Reasonable Notice. Reasonable advance notice is required for all leaves, with specific advance notice as stated in district policy. 
3. Flexibility in Granting Leaves. The superintendent or designee, with approval of the board, may grant leaves to individuals who might not otherwise be covered, or extend leave in excess of the number of days provided by district policy, in unusual or exceptional circumstances. 
4. Leaves Prorated for Part-Time Staff. Part-time staff will be entitled to leave benefits, unless otherwise stated in district policy, provided that the length of leaves will be prorated according to the ratio of days and/or hours worked to the number of days and/or hours worked by a full-time staff member in the same or a similar position. 
5. Noncumulative. Leaves will be noncumulative from year to year unless otherwise stated. 

Except as may otherwise be specifically provided by law, district policy, or the applicable collective bargaining agreement a staff member will be entitled to a position in the district subject to the availability of a position for which the staff member is qualified after leaves of longer duration. 

Unpaid Leaves 

Upon employee request, the superintendent or designee has discretion to consider providing unpaid leave to employees in certain circumstances. The option to provide unpaid leave does not obligate the district to do so or in any way limit or prevent the district from pursuing other responses. 

Legal References:

Adoption:

(Formerly #4152.9)
(Formally # 4150)