TEACHER LEAVES OF ABSENCE REQUIRING SUPERINTENDENT APPROVAL

Background

There are several Collective Agreement articles where leaves of absence are granted automatically. 

The District recognizes the significant role that teachers play in the lives of students.  The ongoing regular and consistent relationship between teacher and student is a critical part of the education of our students, and this relationship must be nurtured and protected as much as is possible. 

The District wishes to minimize disruptions in the continuity of programs as a result of teacher absences, while at the same time acknowledging that there are special circumstances that require a teacher to be absent from class during instructional time.  It is for this reason that the District has developed guidelines for personal short-term leaves.  These guidelines are intended to be helpful to teachers as they consider making requests for leaves of absence from their teaching duties.  The guidelines indicate the factors the District will consider in determining whether to approve or not approve a specific request. 

Requests by teachers for leaves of absence not covered by the Collective Agreement or requests for extensions to leaves beyond the timelines provided in the Collective Agreement will be judged by the Superintendent on their individual merits.

Procedures

1. The District’s primary consideration is the quality and continuity of service to students;
2. The District recognizes that there are special circumstances that may make it necessary for a teacher to request a leave of absence other than those provided for in the Collective Agreement.Such requests will be given due consideration;
3. The District acknowledges that there are many circumstances that result in teacher absences from classes over which the District has no direct influence.Therefore, the District considers very seriously any request for absences which are discretionary in nature or which constitute an extension to the amount of leave time provided for in the contract;
4. A request for a leave of absence requiring Superintendent approval will be considered based on several factors, including:
   1. length of employment in the District
   2. attendance record of the employee
   3. nature of the request
   4. time of year
   5. length of the leave request
   6. availability of a replacement teacher who can maintain quality and continuity of service to students
   7. any costs to the District
5. Each request for leave of absence requiring Superintendent approval will be treated as a confidential matter by District Office staff.
6. Requests for leaves of absence requiring Superintendent approval must be made in writing to the attention of the Director of Human Resources.A fully completed leave request form must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the dates for which the request is being made.An exception will be granted as per the Collective Agreement when there is a request for extension to Bereavement Leave or Emergency Leave.In those cases, leave requests shall be made as soon as is practical;
7. As the Superintendent considers the leave request, the following procedures will serve as reference:
   1. Leave requests may be approved when:
      1. The leave requested does not contravene any procedure or practice the District has implemented;
      2. The leave request, in combination with all other absences from teaching duties, does not place an unreasonable hardship on the classroom learning environment;
      3. A suitable replacement, where necessary, can easily be found to support the continuity of service to students.For example, if there is a teaching partner, it is preferable that the partner is prepared to replace the teacher requesting leave for the duration of the absence;
      4. The leave will cause no disruption of instruction for students;
      5. The leave request has been received by the Director, Human Resources in compliance with the timelines indicated in section 6 above.
   2. Special consideration will be given to leave requests which are supported by documentation from a provincial, national or international body indicating that the leave, if granted, will allow the individual to participate in a provincial, national or international educational, cultural or athletic event or series of events.
   3. Leave requests may be denied when:
      1. Granting the leave would detrimentally affect the instruction delivery to students;
      2. The leave request constitutes an extension to a break in school session and is for vacation purposes;
      3. The leave request would, if granted, add to a number of absences from the classroom that could negatively impact the learning environment;
      4. The leave would create an undesirable precedent for the District;
      5. The leave request has not been submitted in compliance with the timelines indicated in section 6 above.
8. Applicants for leave of absence requiring Superintendent approval will be advised of the Superintendent’s decision as soon as is practical.