Pursuant to the  MEA CONTRACT-2023-2027 (pg. 30-33)  the Sick Leave Bank is to assist teachers who have exhausted their accumulated sick leave. In order to be eligible to participate in withdrawals from the Bank, a teacher must meet all criteria as outlined in the contract. 

Procedure

1. The eligible teacher, as determined by the criteria outlined in the contract must submit a letter to the Sick Leave Committee explaining how he/she meets the eligibility criteria and request permission to draw upon the Sick Leave Bank. The Sick Leave Committee shall consist of six members  (three Central Office Administrators and three teachers). The Association President shall serve as ex-officio.

2. The Sick Leave Committee shall, within fifteen (15) school days of receipt of the letter, render a decision as to the use of the Sick Leave Bank days.

3. In the event the Sick Leave Committee concludes that the Bank days should be granted to the teacher, a determination shall be made regarding the date from which such days shall be credited. This date may be retroactive to the date of the expiration of the teacher's accumulated sick leave days.

4. Sick Leave Bank days may not exceed thirty-five (35) for any one application. If the teacher's illness or injury extends beyond the number of Sick Leave Bank days granted, he/she may apply for additional days, up to a maximum of one hundred and eighty-seven (187) days. Unused granted days will be returned to the Sick Leave Bank at the end of the current school year.

Decisions made by the Sick Leave Committee will be communicated by the president of the MEA. Any additional information or questions should be forwarded to the president of the MEA.