Section VII– Personnel Table of Contents Article I – General Provisions 7-1.1 Equal Employment Opportunity ......................................................................................... 4 7-1.2 Harassment – School Personnel .......................................................................................... 5 7-1.3 Board-Staff Communications ........................................................................................... 11 7-1.4 Personnel Records ............................................................................................................. 11 7-1.5 Personnel – Statement of Ethics ....................................................................................... 13 7-1.6 Official Status as School Division Employee ................................................................... 13 Article II – Hiring, Appointment and Transfer 7-2.1 Posting of Vacancies and Recruitment ............................................................................. 14 7-2.2 Application for Positions .................................................................................................. 14 7-2.3 Hiring: Health Issues......................................................................................................... 14 7-2.4 Hiring: Criminal Background Checks and Fingerprinting ................................................ 16 7-2.5 Hiring: Nepotism and Conflict of Interest Prohibitions .................................................... 19 7-2.6 Hiring: Temporary Personnel, Part-Time and Substitute Professional Staff .............................................................................................................. 20 7-2.7 Appointment and Reappointment .................................................................................... 22 7-2.8 Assignment and Transfer .................................................................................................. 22 Article III – Conditions of Employment, Generally 7-3.1 Drug-Free Workplace ....................................................................................................... 25 7-3.2 Staff: Weapons in Schools ................................................................................................ 32 7-3.3 Staff Participation in Political Activities and Professional Organizations .................................................................................................................... 32 7-3.4 Dress Code ........................................................................................................................ 32 7-3.5 Non-School Employment.................................................................................................. 33 7-3.6 Staff Time Schedules ........................................................................................................ 33 7-3.7 Reduction in Force ............................................................................................................ 35 7-3.8 Fraudulent and Wrongful Acts .......................................................................................... 35 7-3.9 Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline ...................................................................................... 36 7-3.10 Selling and Endorsements ................................................................................................. 37 7-3.11 Use of Computer Technology ........................................................................................... 37 7-3.12 Cellular Telephone Usage ................................................................................................. 40 7-3.13 Electronic Communication with Pupils ............................................................................ 41 7-3.14 Use of Private Cars for Transporting Pupils ..................................................................... 41 7-3.15 Employee Accidents ......................................................................................................... 42 7-3.16 Reports of Certain Acts and Other Conduct ..................................................................... 42 7-3.17 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting ................................................................................. 43 7-3.18 Tobacco-Free School for Staff .......................................................................................... 44 7-3.19 Lactation Support-Staff ..................................................................................................... 45 7-3.20 Workplace Bullying .......................................................................................................... 46 7.3-21 Access to Employee Social Media Accounts .................................................................... 50 Article IV – Administration 7-4.1 Philosophy and Purpose .................................................................................................... 52 7-4.2 Lines of Responsibility ..................................................................................................... 52 7-4.3 Organizational Chart ......................................................................................................... 53 7-4.4 Division Superintendent ................................................................................................... 53 7-4.5 Principals and Assistant Principals ................................................................................... 54 7-4.6 Review of Administrative Decisions ................................................................................ 55 7-4.7 Administrative Leeway in Absence of Policy ................................................................... 55 7-4.8 School-Based Planning and Management ......................................................................... 55 7-4.9 Communications with Staff .............................................................................................. 56 7-4.10 Committees and Councils ................................................................................................. 56 7-4.11 Administrative Salary Guides ........................................................................................... 56 7-4.12 Travel Expenses ................................................................................................................ 57 Article V – Conditions of Employment – Professional Staff 7-5.1 Professional Staff: Conditions of Employment ................................................................ 58 7-5.2 Professional Staff: Contracts ............................................................................................. 58 7-5.3 Professional Staff: Employment Status............................................................................. 59 7-5.4 Professional Staff: Reporting Responsibilities ................................................................ 61 7-5.5 Professional Staff Development ....................................................................................... 61 7-5.6 Professional Staff: Evaluation ........................................................................................... 62 7-5.7 Professional Staff Research and Publishing ...................................................................... 62 7-5.8 Professional Staff: Resignation ......................................................................................... 63 Article VI – Conditions of Employment – Support Staff 7-6.1 Support Staff Employment Status ..................................................................................... 64 7-6.2 Support Staff: Probation ................................................................................................... 65 7-6.3 School Bus Drivers ........................................................................................................... 65 7-6.4 Support Staff: Development Opportunities ...................................................................... 67 7-6.5 Support Staff: Evaluation .................................................................................................. 67 7-6.6 Support Staff: Resignation ............................................................................................... 67 Article VII – Employee Pay and Benefits 7-7.1 Employee Compensation .................................................................................................. 69 7-7.2 Insurance ........................................................................................................................... 71 7-7.3 Benefits for Part-time Employees ..................................................................................... 71 7-7.4 Retirement ......................................................................................................................... 71 7-7.5 Travel Expenses ................................................................................................................ 74 7-7.6 Holidays ............................................................................................................................ 75 7-7.7 Employee Absences/Leave ............................................................................................... 75 Article VIII – Employee Discipline and Grievance Procedure 7-8.1 Employee Discipline – Generally .................................................................................... 82 7-8.2 Suspension .......................................................................................................................