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Board approves payroll deduction of health benefits for employees on unapproved unpaid leave
Summary
The Sparta Area School District board approved an administrative change to allow payroll deduction of the district's per‑day health/dental benefit cost when an employee takes an unapproved unpaid day off after exhausting paid leave.
The Sparta Area School District board approved an administrative change to allow payroll deduction of the district's per‑day health and dental benefit cost when an employee takes an unapproved unpaid day off after exhausting paid leave.
Administrators said the change responds to an uptick in unapproved absences this school year. District data presented to the board showed 38 classified employees and five certified employees had taken unapproved unpaid days through April, totaling 172 unapproved days. Under current practice, an employee who misses work without approval loses pay but retains district‑paid benefits; administrators said the proposed change will align benefit cost responsibility with pay for a missed workday and reduce a perceived operational burden on schools that must fill sudden absences.
Key elements: the district will recover the daily cost of the employee's health and dental insurance for full‑day unapproved unpaid absences via payroll deduction. Administrators said partial days would be handled through supervisory performance and attendance processes rather than daily benefit deductions. Exemptions would include employees on approved Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), military leave or other previously authorized leaves.
Administrators described follow‑up steps the district will take to reduce unapproved absences: better automated notifications to employees about remaining paid leave balances; progressive administrative steps for repeat occurrences (coaching, written reprimand, suspension or other disciplinary action as warranted) and continued support for employees with legitimate leave needs. Board members asked clarifying questions about the effect on substitute costs, WRS and the equitable treatment of staff; administrators said those topics are part of the handbook changes and payroll implementation details.
Motion: The board approved the change on consent; the decision will be implemented through an update to the employee handbook and related administrative rules for attendance and payroll processing.
