Teachers and district agree to pilot fractional leave; details set for MOU

The Caldwell bargaining teams agreed to pilot a new fractional‑leave option that would let certified professional employees (CPEs) step out for brief, planned appointments while maintaining classroom coverage.

Under the working draft accepted in principle, each CPE may access up to eight hours of fractional leave per year in 30‑minute increments. After discussion the group agreed to allow up to 10 short instances so long as the annual cap of eight hours is not exceeded. The document requires that coverage be provided by another certified staff member, that the CPE seeking leave provide reasonable advance notice (generally two school days for routine use), and that the covering employee "agree in writing" (email or chat acceptable) to confirm voluntary coverage.

Supporters said the policy aims to reduce the number of full‑ or half‑day absences teachers now take for brief appointments — time that often results in substitute requests — and to reduce pressure on sick‑leave balances. Opponents urged guardrails to avoid turning voluntary coverage into compelled extra duty; the draft added language allowing building administrators to deny fractional leave when it would be disruptive, but forbids denials based only on the administrator's view that the reason is not "valid." The draft also excludes using classified staff as routine coverage and preserves emergency exceptions.

Rather than swapping a contract sick day for the new benefit immediately, the teams agreed to pilot fractional leave as a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to gather data over the coming year; the parties will revisit any permanent exchange (for example, reducing a sick day in exchange for fractional leave hours) after evaluation.