SECTION J - SPECIAL LEAVES

Teachers are encouraged to attend local, state, and national conferences and conventions for the purpose of professional growth and mutual benefit to the employee and the school.

Request for approval must be filed with the Principal in advance of the date for the conference. Expenses for attendance, as approved by the Principal and supported by vouchers and receipts, will be paid by the District. Food expenses will be reimbursed at the following rates: $6.00 for breakfast; $12.00 for lunch; and $18.00 for dinner. (No receipt)

Department Chairs/Instructional Directors will be requested annually to recommend conferences and conventions that particular Teachers shall attend and the anticipated expenses therefore. Department Chairs/Instructional Directors will also be consulted throughout the school year for further recommendations of current conferences and conventions. The Principal and the Superintendent shall review such requests and make recommendations to the Board for inclusion of the necessary sums in the annual budget. The sum for each year shall not be less than $25,000. These funds shall be distributed to the various departments on an equitable basis as determined by the Superintendent or his designee(s). The Department Chairs/Instructional Directors shall then be responsible for the dispensation of the funds within the department respectively. Permission to attend said conventions, conferences, etc. still resides with the Building Principal. If a Teacher wishes to attend a convention, conference, etc. after the allotted departmental funds are expired, he/she may do so if: (1) He/she receives permission from his/her Building Principal, and (2) he/she pays his/her own way. He/she shall not, however, be required to pay for any substitutes required during his/her absence.