Policy committee drafts sick-leave policy to embed sick-leave bank, clarifies eligibility and administration

A district policy committee meeting focused on a draft sick-leave policy that would embed administration of the existing sick-leave bank into district policy rather than leave it solely in the negotiated agreement. Committee members clarified who is eligible, when employees may enroll, documentation requirements and how the sick-leave bank would be administered, but did not record a formal board vote at the session.

The changes discussed would make all eligible employees entitled to accrued sick leave as currently granted and would: specify that classified employees must work a minimum of 20 hours per week to be eligible; define a certified employee's accrual as one day for each contracted month worked; require medical verification after five consecutive days of absence; set open enrollment for the bank at Aug. 1'15; require a one-day donation to join the bank; allow individual withdrawals of up to 85 days over the course of employment; and place administration of the bank with a council that includes two administrators/directors appointed by the board, two teacher representatives appointed by the LEA and a superintendent tiebreaking vote.

Committee members emphasized distinctions between discussion items and formal actions. Several participants said the language was moved from the negotiated agreement into the policy draft to make administration clearer. Human resources staff will maintain records of membership, accrued days and bank value…