Classified personnel who are scheduled to work 52 weeks per year and at least 20 hours per week if they were hired prior to July 1, 2009 and at least 30 hours per week if they were hired after July 1, 2009 are entitled to a one-week vacation plus the Friday after Thanksgiving after one year, two weeks plus the Friday after Thanksgiving after two consecutive years, three weeks plus the Friday after Thanksgiving after ten years, and four weeks plus the Friday after Thanksgiving after twenty years of consecutive employment with the District.

Vacation benefits start on the first anniversary date of employment.  Vacation time may not accrue from one year to the next.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 1C.1-.2; 4.1(34); 20.9 (2013).

Approved:
October 11, 2021

Classified employees are granted 12 days of sick leave in their first year of employment.  Each year thereafter, one additional day of sick leave will be granted to the employees up to a maximum of fifteen days.  "Day" is defined as one workday regardless of full-time or part-time status of the employee.  A new employee will report for work at least one full workday prior to receiving sick leave benefits.  A returning employee will be granted the appropriate number of days at the beginning of each fiscal year.  Sick leave may be accumulated up to a maximum of 100 days for classified employees.

Evidence may be required regarding the mental or physical health of the employee including, but not limited to, confirmation of the following:  the employee's illness, the need for the illness leave, the employee's ability to return to work, and the employee's capability to perform the duties of the employee's position.  It is within the discretion of the board and the superintendent to determine the type and amount of evidence necessary.  When an illness leave will be greater than three consecutive days, the employee will comply with board policy regarding family and medical leave.

If an employee is eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits, the employee will contact the board secretary to implement these benefits.

Legal Reference:        
Whitney v. Rural Ind. School District, 232 Iowa 61, 4 N.W.2d 394 (1942).
29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq. (2012)
29 C.F.R. Pt. 825 (2012).
Iowa  Code §§ 20; 85.33, .34, .38(3); 279.40 (2013).
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 605.
1972 Op. Att'y Gen. 177, 353.
1952 Op. Att'y Gen. 91.

Approved:
October 11, 2021

Unpaid family and medical leave will be granted up to 12 weeks per year to assist employees in balancing family and work life.  For purposes of this policy, year is defined as July 1 to June 30.  Requests for family and medical leave will be made to the superintendent. 

Legal Reference:        
Whitney v. Rural Ind. School. District, 232 Iowa 61,
4 N.W.2d 394 (1942).
29 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq. (2012)
29 C.F.R. Pt. 825 (2012).
Iowa Code §§ 20; 85.33, .34, .38(3); 216; 279.40 (2013).
1980 Op. Att'y Gen. 605.
1972 Op. Att'y Gen. 177, 353.
1952 Op. Att'y Gen. 91.

Approved:
October 11, 2021

In the event of a death of a member of a classified employee's immediate family, bereavement leave may be granted.  Bereavement leave granted may be for a maximum of 5 days, with "day" being defined as one work day regardless of full-time or part-time status of the employee, per occurrence, for the death of a member of the immediate family as defined in master contract and handbooks.

A maximum of one day of bereavement leave per year will be granted for the death of a close friend or other relative not listed above.

It is within the discretion of the superintendent to determine the number of bereavement leave days to be granted.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.8 (2013).

Cross Reference:        

Approved:
October 11, 2021

The board will provide a leave of absence to classified employees to run for elective public office.  The superintendent will grant a classified employee a leave of absence to campaign as a candidate for an elective public office as unpaid leave.

The classified employee will be entitled to one period of leave to run for the elective public office, and the leave may commence any time within thirty days of a contested primary, special, or general election and continue until the day following the election.

The request for leave must be in writing to the superintendent at least thirty days prior to the starting date of the requested leave.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code ch. 55 (2013).

Cross Reference:        

Approved:
October 11, 2021

The board will allow classified employees to be excused for jury duty unless extraordinary circumstances exist.  The superintendent has the discretion to determine when extraordinary circumstances exist.

Employees who are called for jury service will notify the direct supervisor within twenty-four hours after notice of call to jury duty and suitable proof of jury service pay must be presented to the school district.  The employee will report to work within one hour on any day when the employee is excused from jury duty during regular working hours. 

Classified employees will receive their regular salary.  Any payment for jury duty is turned over to the school district.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 607A (2013).

Approved:
October 11, 2021

The board recognizes classified employees may be called to participate in the armed forces, including the national guard.  If a classified employee is called to serve in the armed forces, the employee will have a leave of absence for military service until the military service is completed.

The leave is without loss of status or efficiency rating, and without loss of pay during the first thirty calendar days of the leave.

Legal Reference:        
Bewley v. Villisca Community School District,
299 N.W. 2d 904 (Iowa 1980).
Iowa Code §§ 20; 29A.28 (2013).

Approved:
October 11, 2021

Unpaid leave may be used to excuse an involuntary absence not provided for in other leave policies.  Unpaid leave for classified employees must be authorized by the superintendent.  Whenever possible, classified employees will make a written request for unpaid leave ten days prior to the beginning date of the requested leave.  If the leave is granted, the deductions in salary are made unless they are waived specifically by the superintendent.

The superintendent will have complete discretion to grant or deny the requested unpaid leave.  In making this determination, the superintendent will consider the effect of the employee's absence on the education program and school district operations, the financial condition of the school district, length of service, previous record of absence, the reason for the requested absence and other factors the superintendent believes are relevant in making this determination.

If unpaid leave is granted, the duration of the leave period is coordinated with the scheduling of the education program whenever possible, to minimize the disruption of the education program and school district operations.

Legal Reference:        
Iowa Code §§ 20.9; 279.8 (2013).

Cross Reference:        

Approved:
October 11, 2021