FMLA & Maternity Leave 

Dock Pay - Any time that an employee has time-off where they have exhausted available vacation, sick and or personal days, the days will be docked from the next available paycheck.  If days to be docked exceed a single paycheck the days will be docked over the number of paychecks the situation calls for.  Questions regarding pay docks should be addressed to the Business Manager.

Employee Rights & Responsibilities

Frequently Asked Maternity Leave Questions:

Question 1: Who and by when do I need to notify someone that I will need to take a maternity leave?

Answer: (page 30 of the PREA contract) A teacher needs to submit a letter to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources no later than 120 calendar days prior to the anticipated birth of the child. The letter needs to include the proposed starting and ending dates of the leave and shall be accompanied by a note from your doctor. The doctor needs to indicate the expected date of delivery and whether the teacher may safely continue in employment, including the performance of all duties.

Question 2: How much time am I entitled to take on a maternity leave?

Answer: An employee is entitled under the FMLA to twelve weeks off starting with the birth of a child. An employee may use sick days to get paid for up to 42 calendar days of that leave (PREA contract), approximately six weeks that fall on school attendance days. If an individual is having a C-section, that is considered a surgery and the mother is entitled to eight weeks of paid leave if they have enough sick days to cover the eight weeks. An employee may request all twelve weeks or any number up to twelve weeks.

Question 3: Do I arrange for a substitute teacher while on leave?

Answer: No, the Building Principal will work with the Human Resources Department to arrange for coverage of your class while on maternity leave.

Question 4: May a husband take FMLA leave for the birth of a child?

Answer: Yes, a husband is entitled to twelve weeks of paternity leave, the same as the mother. They may get paid for six weeks of that leave if they have enough sick days to cover that time. Otherwise, they will get paid for as many sick days as they carry for that year.

Question 5: While on leave do I still carry insurance?

Answer: Yes, however, after twelve weeks you will then need to pay the full monthly premium insurance cost. For example if you pay $8.40 per check for HMO single coverage then you would need to pay the District $8.40 to cover the cost of the insurance when you were not receiving a paycheck but still receiving insurance for the first twelve weeks. Then the amount would change significantly.

Question 6: Can I change the date that I want and or need to go on leave? If so how does that affect work with the twelve weeks off for maternity leave?

Answer: Yes, if your baby comes early your maternity leave will begin with the birth of your child. If you go past your due date, the leave will begin on the date of your child’s birth. Either way, the twelve weeks will begin with the birth of your baby.

Question 7: What happens if I want to return early from a maternity leave, is that possible?

Answer: No. You have requested a leave through a specific date, it has been approved by the Board of Education and we have signed a contract with another teacher to cover your class for the period of your leave. We have a contractual obligation to the substitute for the approved time of your leave.

Question 8: Can I stay out longer than twelve weeks?

Answer: Yes, but it must be approved by the Board of Education. Each staff member’s situation is very unique and this topic is best answered by setting up a meeting and discussing the details with the Human Resources Department. Again, you will need to write a letter to the Board of Education to ask for an extension.

Question 9: Can I take professional development classes while on maternity leave?

Answer: Yes, but you cannot get paid for them on maternity leave.

For More Q&A's, access the Maternity Leave Detailed Q&A