Garland Independent School District Serving the North Texas Communities of Garland, Rowlett, and Sachse Employee Handbook 2016-2017 Published by Office of Human Resources Garland Independent School District Table of Contents Employee Handbook Receipt....................................................................................... 1 Superintendent Welcome ............................................................................................. 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3 District Information ....................................................................................................... 4 District Map Page 1 ..................................................................................................................... 5 District Map Page 2 ..................................................................................................................... 6 Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives .................................................................................. 7 Strategic Plan 2016-2017............................................................................................................. 8 Board of Trustees......................................................................................................................... 9 Administration ........................................................................................................................... 10 School Calendar ......................................................................................................................... 11 Helpful Contacts ........................................................................................................................ 12 Helpful Websites ....................................................................................................................... 12 Employent ................................................................................................................... 13 Equal Employment Opportunity ................................................................................................ 13 Job Vacancy Announcements .................................................................................................... 13 Employment After Retirement .................................................................................................. 13 Contract and non-contract employment .................................................................................... 14 Probationary contracts ............................................................................................................... 14 Term contracts ........................................................................................................................... 14 Noncertified professional and administrative employees .......................................................... 14 Paraprofessional and auxiliary employees ................................................................................ 14 Certification and Licenses ......................................................................................................... 15 Searches and Alcohol and Drug Testing ................................................................................... 15 Health Safety Training ............................................................................................................... 16 Reassignments and Transfers .................................................................................................... 16 Workload and Work Schedules ................................................................................................. 16 Breaks for Expression of Breast Milk ....................................................................................... 19 Notification to Parents Regarding Qualifications ...................................................................... 19 Outside Employment and Tutoring ........................................................................................... 19 Lesson Plans .............................................................................................................................. 20 Performance Evaluation ............................................................................................................ 21 Employee Involvement .............................................................................................................. 21 Staff Development ..................................................................................................................... 21 Compensation and Benefits....................................................................................... 22 Salaries, Wages, and Stipends ................................................................................................... 22 Federally Funded Positions ....................................................................................................... 22 Payday ....................................................................................................................................... 23 Notice to Employees: Requirements of the Affordable Care Act ............................................ 23 Direct Deposit ............................................................................................................................ 26 Payroll Deductions .................................................................................................................... 26 i Overtime Compensation ............................................................................................................ 27 Travel expense reimbursement .................................................................................................. 27 Health, Dental, and Life Insurance ............................................................................................ 28 Other Benefits ............................................................................................................................ 29 Employee Wellness Program ..................................................................................................... 29 Employee Discounts .................................................................................................................. 29 Employee Clinic ........................................................................................................................ 29 Leaves and Absences ................................................................................................ 31 Reporting Absences and Securing a Substitute ......................................................................... 31 Medical Certification ................................................................................................................. 31 Continuation of Health Insurance .............................................................................................. 32 State Personal Leave .................................................................................................................. 32 Old State Sick Leave ................................................................................................................. 33 Local Leave ............................................................................................................................... 33 Extended Leave ......................................................................................................................... 33 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—General Provisions ................................................ 34 Local Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) Provisions ............................................................. 35 Military Family Leave Entitlements .......................................................................................... 35 Requests for FMLA ................................................................................................................... 36 Temporary disability.................................................................................................................. 36 Workers’ compensation benefits ............................................................................................... 37 Assault leave .............................................................................................................................. 37 Jury duty .................................................................................................................................... 38 Other Court appearances ........................................................................................................... 38 Military leave ............................................................................................................................. 38 Complaints and grievances ....................................................................................... 40 Fraud, Ethics & Compliance Hotline ........................................................................................ 40 Employee Conduct and Welfare ................................................................................ 41 Standards of Conduct................................................................................................................. 41 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators ...............................................................41