The Board shall grant at least two (2) leaves of absence, without pay, to employees having at least six (6) years continuous service with the School District of Wisconsin Rapids, its predecessors or successors, for periods of not less than one (1) semester or more than one (1) year, provided the following requirements are met:
Application for all leaves must be made not less than ninety (90) days prior to the time the leave is to commence.
Leaves will be granted dependent on the availability of substitutes or replacements.
All applications for leaves must have the approval of the Superintendent of Schools endorsed thereon.
Leaves shall be considered by the Board with the expectation that they will benefit the District and the pupils thereof, and assure more effective service from the person on leave. The number of leaves granted at any one time may be limited by the Board.
Prior to any leave being granted, the employee must file with the Superintendent of Schools, an agreement in writing binding the employee to remain in the service of the Board for at least one (1) year after the expiration of the proposed leave. Said agreement shall not be binding in the event the employee resigns for reasons of ill health upon completion of the leave.
When an employee's leave of absence exceeds thirty (30) calendar days, the employee shall be offered the opportunity for continuation coverage of group insurance in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), and the employee will be responsible for payment of all insurance premiums effective with the first day of the leave. When an employee's leave of absence is thirty (30) calendar days or less, the Board will continue to make its full contribution toward the insurance premiums of the employee.
Employees who have been granted a leave of absence and have not returned to work within one (1) calendar year from the start of the leave shall relinquish all employment rights.
Completion of Leaves of Absence
At the completion of any leave of absence, the following rules shall apply:
Each returning employee must make a report in writing to the Superintendent of Schools consisting of a statement setting forth the number and nature of any credits earned towards another degree, the evidence of the professional value of travel undertaken, or a physician's statement of health.
Each returning employee who has been on leave for the purpose of improving professionally through advanced training shall be compensated at the same level of pay they received prior to the commencement of the leave.
Each returning employee shall, whenever possible, be reassigned the position held prior to the leave if said position exists or be assigned to whatever position the Board believes the employee is qualified to hold in view of any additional training, experience or change in health of the employee.
Additional Leaves
A second, third or subsequent leave of absence shall not be granted to an employee until the employee has re-established eligibility by completing another period of six (6) years of continuous service with the District for each leave desired.
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