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Board hears employee-handbook changes: parental leave to 2 days, liquidated-damages deadline moved earlier
Summary
Staff outlined proposed handbook revisions including increasing birth/adoption leave from one to two days, adding up to 20 sick days with FMLA protection to care for family, restricting personal leave in September, and moving liquidated-damages trigger from June 15 to May 31 to aid staffing.
Presenter (S3) described multiple proposed changes to the employee handbook meant to support staff recruitment, retention and operational needs heading into the school year.
"We increased it to 2 days," Presenter (S3) said when describing the revision to leave for birth and adoption. Staff also proposed allowing an additional 20 sick days for employees who need FMLA protection to care for an immediate family member, and adding a restriction that teachers not take personal leave in September to protect start-of-year instructional continuity. On contract timing, S3 said the district wants more lead time and proposed moving the liquidated-damages trigger from June 15 to May 31: "So, we are looking to move it up to May 31 just to give us even that extra 2 weeks," S3 said.
Board members spoke in favor of supports for caregivers and raised concerns about religious accommodations and whether the September restriction could have exceptions. Staff said religious accommodations would be processed through existing channels and that the change is intended to reduce disruption at the start of the year. On contracts, staff said they plan to push contract offers earlier in the cycle to give employees time to accept or decline before the May 31 date.
These handbook changes were presented for information; staff said some items do not require formal board consent at this stage but will be brought forward as appropriate.
