State law shifts sick and personal leave; Hamilton County updates local policy

Hamilton County policy staff told the Policy Committee that a recent change in Tennessee law reallocated two days from sick leave to personal leave, prompting a district update to local personnel policies.

Penny Murray, who presented the revisions, said the district's proposed allocations mirror the state change: 10-month employees would have eight total days, 11-month employees nine and 12-month employees 10. The district's draft also sets personal leave at five days; for certified employees four unused personal days would roll to sick leave and a fifth would be eligible for a $75 payout. Staff said the changes would take effect July 1 to align with statutory requirements.

Committee members asked staff to confirm the origin of the change after teachers expressed confusion; a staff presenter reiterated the change came from the state of Tennessee, not Hamilton County. One meeting participant, identifying as a former employee, praised the additional flexibility the extra personal day would provide for teachers.

Staff said the policy language was taken from the statutory update and that the district will present the rules as a first-and-final read in June. They also told the committee they would add the necessary procedural language for classified employees and noted any cross-references to other personnel policies would be updated before final adoption.

The committee did not take a formal vote during this meeting; staff said they expect to bring the item forward for the board's formal action in the next scheduled meeting.