Voluntary Sick Leave Pool Policy

File: GDBDAA

Critical

VOLUNTARY SICK LEAVE POOL POLICY

The sick leave pool is a voluntary group regulated by the Community Teachers Association, under the supervision of the Board of Education, which seeks to partially meet theneeds of its members in times of serious illness or accident necessitating extended absence from work during the contracted employment period. It i s not designed for brief absencesafter leave is used up or for death or business.

Each employee of the school district who has sick leave benefits may contribute one day of annual sick leave during the first year of the sick leave pool 's operation. One day may becontributed by each employee during each subsequent year, except when the sick leave pool committee determines a sufficient number of days have accumulated in the pool for ayear's operation. Then new members must donate one day for three years for a total of three days. Likewise, the committee may recommend that the pool be replenished if necessary , at which time the membership shall decide by vote the action to be taken.

A member may be eligible to draw from the pool after using all accumulated sick leave and after being off work ten school days without pay. The member shall submit an applicationto the committee requesting withdrawal of days from the pool. In addition, the member will be required to submit a letter from a physician stating the nature of the illness and that theapplicant is unable to work due to said illness.

The following requirements will be instituted for each application, regardless of whether or not the employee had previously drawn on the sick leave pool during that school year.

• 1. All school employees, under full or part time contract, are eligible to become members.

  2. To become a member, one day of sick leave must be contributed within ten ( I 0) days after the applicant qualifies for that year's sick leave benefits as outlined in board policy.

  3. Membership will be effective upon receipt of the completed membership form.

1. Each employee will be eligible to draw up to his or her matching accumu lated sick days as of the first of the contracted year, incl uding that present year's days, not to exceed 80days. Total days drawn each contractual period may not exceed the accumulated days specified above.

2. The ten day penal ty wil l be assessed on ly once per i llness, even if the member has retu rned to work i n the i nteri m . However, the m em ber m ust again suppl y a letter from thephysician stating that the absence was caused by the continuation of the same i ll ness.

3. Cosmetic surgery, unless made necessary by an accident, will not be covered by this plan.

4. Termination of a teacher's services in the district automaticall y terminates membership in the sick leave pool.

5. Days donated previously shall not be refunded upon termination of membership.

6. All applications must be in writi ng and shall be screened by the committee for approval or rejection . The applicants will be notified as soon as possible.

7. The sick leave pool committee will have the right to require an examination by a physician of its choice at the expense of the applicant.

   1. A maximum of ten days shall be made available for family medica l emergencies.Approval of emergency days shall be made by the Sick Leave Pool Committee. The applicantmust follow the same application procedures as outlined above.

The committee may review any other circumstances that may not be covered by this policy and make rulings accordi ngly.

Sick Leave Pool Committee/Responsibilities

The Sick Leave Pool Committee shall administer the Sick Leave Pool and members of the committee must belong to the pool. The committee will consist of two certificated staffmembers elected from K-5 and two members from Grades 6-12, one support staff member, and a member of the administration. Each member will be a voting member. The term ofmembership shall be for two (2) years. The members of the committee will be elected between days eleven and fifteen of the school year, with thei r term of service to begi nimmediately.

At the first meeting of the committee, which will be held within two weeks of the election, the committee will elect a chairperson and secretary to serve for a term of one year. At thecommittee meetings, a quorum of 5 comm ittee members m ust be present in order to review and make decisions regarding sick leave pool applications. To conduct all othercommittee business , a simple majority of those present will be required .

Hearing

Members have the right to a hearing before the Board of Education if there are questions concerni ng any decisions made by the Sick Leave Pool Committee.

Discontinuance of Sick Leave Pool

A majority of the sick leave pool members may recommend to the Board of Education the discontinuance of the sick leave pool effective the following school year, or the Board ofEducation , by majority vote, can discontinue the sick leave pool effective the following school year. In the event this pool is discontinued , unused days in the pool will be divided equallyamong sick leave pool members.

Adopted : May 10, 1995

Cross Refs: GDBDA, Support Staff Short-Term Leaves and Absences

New Franklin R-I School District, New Franklin, Missouri