SECTION I - SABBATICAL LEAVE

The Board of Education and the Lake Forest Education Association recognize the importance and the desirability of granting annual sabbatical leaves to qualified Teachers. When the Board approves a sabbatical leave, such shall not be denied because specific funds therefore were not previously budgeted.

The Superintendent shall establish a Sabbatical Review Committee to be composed of one (1) Administrator, and two (2) Teachers. The purpose of this Committee shall be to review all requests received, establish the value of each, make an endorsement for or against the request and forward all items to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall review the findings of the Committee, make his endorsement for or against the request, and forward all items to the Board for final selection, approval or rejection.

A Teacher may be granted a sabbatical leave of one (1) semester or one (1) year after completion of six (6) years of service at Lake Forest High School for the purpose of: (1) study and scholarly pursuits, (2) travel as approved, or (3) such other purposes as may be adjudged proper by the Department Chair/Instructional Director, the Principal, the Superintendent, and the Board. The following provisions will govern such leaves:

1. The Teacher on leave shall in no case receive less than the minimum salary provided in The School Code or one-half (1/2) of his/her basic salary, whichever is greater.

a. In addition, he/she shall continue to receive the fringe benefits granted to staff members currently teaching in the District.

b. The Board shall pay the contribution to the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System required of the person on sabbatical leave computed on the annual full time salary rate under which the member last received earnings immediately prior to the leave, or a proportionate part of such rate for a partial year of sabbatical leave.

2. A Teacher accepting sabbatical leave must agree to return to teach on the District staff for at least one (1) year following the sabbatical leave or to refund the salary paid to him/her during such leave, unless such return and performance is prevented by illness or disability.

3. The Teacher will return to a position of equal responsibility to the one that he/she occupied in the District before the leave and the time spent during this leave will be considered in contractual considerations.

4. Other things being equal, priority shall be given to Teachers requesting leave according to the purpose of their leave as follows: (1) study and professional improvement, (2) travel combined with study, and (3) other purposes. Other priorities (other things being equal): (1) Teachers applying for their first sabbatical leave in the District, (2) Teachers senior in service in the District over those with shorter service, (3) Teachers with longer total teaching experience over those with less experience, and (4) a year's leave over a semester's leave.

5. Applications for a sabbatical leave for all or part of the ensuing year must be filed with the Superintendent no later than December 15th of the immediate school year. The Office of the Superintendent shall acknowledge receipt thereof. The Administrator shall make decisions known on all requests for sabbaticals prior to February 15th of each year.