GBCA TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

FILE:  GBCA

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

Board Policy:     USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE AND

   EMPLOYMENT OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS

Adopted:            May 22, 2012          

1.         PURPOSE.

In an effort to ensure that the children of Clay County are taught by highly qualified and

effective teachers, Clay County Schools utilizes federal funds, when appropriate, to recruit and retain fully certified and highly qualified teachers. This policy identifies the manner in which Clay County Schools will use federal funding to increase its employment of highly qualified teachers.

2. USE OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS.

2.1. Clay County Schools, based upon the availability of federal funds, may assist in the

payment of college/university tuition for instructional personnel, regular employees who

currently possess a professional teaching certificate, who qualify to receive benefits under

federal guidelines.

2.2. Use of Title I Funds.

2.2.1.    Teachers working within a Title I school-wide program are eligible for tuition

 reimbursement through Title I funds.

2.2.2.    In order to receive tuition reimbursement through Title I, eligible teachers must     

 be seeking reimbursement for coursework leading to highly qualified status in   

 either a core subject area or completing coursework for a Reading Specialist 

 specialization. Core subject areas include civics and government, economics,

 English, foreign language, geography, history, mathematics, reading/language

 arts, science, and the arts.

2.2.3.   Title I funds may not be used for reimbursements provided to teachers in schools

             not eligible for Title I funding.

2.2.4.   Financial assistance for tuition may be provided only for those areas that are

identified as critical areas of need in Clay County. Dependent upon available

funding, reimbursement will be granted to the individual for a total of six (6)

semester hours per calendar year; for up to a total of 15 hours toward an advanced

degree, provided the individual continues to be employed by Clay County Schools.

2.2.5.   Individuals who are awarded tuition reimbursement and voluntarily terminate   

             Their employment with Clay County Schools within one year of the  

 reimbursement will have to repay Clay County Schools total amount of the  

 reimbursement.

2.3.      Use of Title II Funds.

2.3.1.   Title II funds may be utilized to target the county’s need for highly qualified

teachers.

2.3.2.   Title II funds may be utilized to reimburse teachers for coursework leading to

highly qualified status in a core subject area. Core subject areas include civics

and government, economics, English, foreign language, geography, history,

mathematics, reading/language arts, science, and the arts. Title II funds may also

be utilized to reimburse teachers for obtaining special education certification and

for seeking advanced certificates (i.e., National Board for Professional Teaching

Standards) and advanced degrees (i.e., master’s and doctoral degrees).

2.3.3.   Upon recommendation of the county superintendent and based on a need for

highly qualified teachers, the Clay County Board of Education may approve the

utilization of Title II funds to provide a stipend to individuals willing to fill a

position of high need in a core subject area and/or special education. Such

stipends may be identified at the school or county level and per identified subject

area.

2.3.4.   Financial assistance for tuition may be provided only for those areas that are

identified as critical areas of need in Clay County. Dependent upon available

funding, reimbursement will be granted to the individual for a total of six (6)

semester hours per calendar year; for up to a total of 15 hours toward an advanced

degree, provided the individual continues to be employed by Clay County

Schools.

2.3.5.   Individuals who are awarded tuition reimbursement and voluntarily terminate their employment with Clay County Schools within one year of the reimbursement will have to repay Clay County Schools total amount of the reimbursement.

2.4.      Clay County Schools may enter into agreements with institutions of higher learning to offer courses at a reduced tuition.

3. APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF TUITION THROUGH FEDERAL

PROGRAMS.

3.1. In order to receive reimbursement for courses through Clay County Schools’ federal

funds, the individual must:

(a)        First apply for reimbursement through the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and receive an “Out of Funds” letter. (Tuition reimbursement forms may be downloaded from the WVDE website

http://wvde.state.wv.us/certification/forms/Form26.pdf or may be requested from the Clay County Schools Personnel Department.)

(b)        Request an Application Packet for Tuition Reimbursement from the Clay County

Schools Federal Programs Director

(c)        Complete and return all of the following to the Clay County Schools Federal

Programs Director:

(i) Application form for tuition reimbursement

(ii) W9 Form

(iii) Certified Transcript of applicable course(s) with a minimum grade point

       average of 3.00 for the applicable course(s)

 (iv) Receipt for tuition paid that shows no balance owed

(v) Copy of the applicant’s “Out of Funds” letter received from the WVDE

3.2. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

4. SEVERABILITY.

If any provision of this policy or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this policy.