15.1 Purpose
It is the intent of this program to encourage, and monetarily reward, members of the classified staff for continued growth and development in their position, which will directly benefit the Loomis Union School District and the employee.
15.2 Eligibility
All permanent classified employees shall be eligible to participate in the program.
15.3 Activities Suitable for Program
The following activities may be considered as qualifying activities by the Incentive Growth Committee for incentive growth units.
15.3.1 Completion of a course of study, credit or non-credit, which will enhance the skills required for the position and is relevant to the performance of the applicant in their current position.
15.3.2 Completion of participation at a conference, workshop, or other special program outside the District which will enhance the skills required for the position and is relevant to the performance of the applicant in his or her current position.
15.3.3 Participation in any portion of a District-sponsored inservice training program which will enhance the skills required for the position and is relevant to the performance of the applicant in his or her current position and which is conducted outside the employee’s paid work time.
15.3.4 Authorship of professional or technical books which is relevant to and will enhance the applicant’s skills or performance in his or her current position.
15.4 Credit Basis
Credit shall be earned on the following basis:
15.4.1 Credit for college level courses shall be granted on the basis that five (5) semester college units equals one (1) growth step.
15.4.2 Units of credit shall be awarded for non-college level or ungraded courses as follows:
Total Hours Units Earned
15 1 unit
30 2 units
45 3 units
60 4 units
75 5 units
15.4.3 Incentive growth units of partial units for suitable activities will be determined and recommended by the Incentive Growth Committee.
15.4.4 Five (5) incentive growth units shall comprise one (1) growth step.
15.4.5 Incentive growth steps are earned for a specific job class. Upon transfer or promotion to a different job class within the unit, an eligible classified employee may request the Incentive Growth Committee to determine that certain growth credits earned in a prior position are relevant to performance in a new position.
15.4.6 A maximum of two (2) incentive growth steps may be earned in any one (1) year.
15.4.7 No courses may be repeated for incentive growth credit except CPR/first aid certificate renewals.
15.5 Incentive Growth Committee
The Incentive Growth Committee shall be responsible for recommending approval of incentive growth steps. The Committee shall consist of two (2) unit members appointed by the CSEA President, and two (2) persons appointed by the Superintendent. Responsibility of the Committee shall include: determination of guidelines, and criteria for pre-approval of applications.
No unit member may sit on the Incentive Growth Committee to review their own application.
15.6 Procedure
15.6.1 Any eligible employee may apply to receive incentive growth units by submitting an initial application prior to undertaking the relevant activity. The application shall describe the activity and how the applicant’s job skills or performance will be enhanced. The Committee shall promptly meet and approve, seek modification, or reject the application.
15.6.2 Once the approved activity has been completed, the applicant shall file a completion form including any necessary documentation to verify that the activity has been completed and was in fact relevant to the applicant’s performance or job skills.
15.6.3 Any action by the Committee to approve an incentive growth unit, or a failure to act in the case of a tie, shall be referred to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall make a decision which is subject to appeal to the Governing Board.
15.7 Steps Available
There are now three (3) incentive growth steps available, A, B, and C. Each step is 35 cents for a total of $1.05. Unit members may apply for an increment upon completion of five (5) units. The increase will be included in the pay period following application and approval.
15.8 Leave Of Absence To Attend Activities
15.8.1 An employee may use vacation to attend qualifying activities occurring during his or her work day provided:
a. The advance application for incentive growth pursuant to section 15.6.1 is accompanied by written approval of the vacation day(s) from the supervisor; and
b. The District has certified that inservice training funds are not available for the employee to be paid to attend the requested activity; and
c. The District agrees that it will not utilize this section in a manner which would render section 15.1 useless or inoperable.
15.8.2 An employee shall not use personal necessity leave, personal leave, sick leave or any other leave to attend activities in order to qualify for incentive growth.