Personnel Handbook Revised February 14, 2020 CONTENTS Welcome………..…………………………………………………………….…......6 Code of Ethics for N.C. Educators.……………………………………….………...................7 Disclaimer……………………………………………………………………….…......................8 Equal Employment Opportunity…………………………………………………......................9 Handbook Confirmation………….………………………………………………….................10 Mission, Vision and Beliefs…………………………………………………………................10 Standards of Professional conduct for N.C. Educators………………………....................12 GENERAL INFORMATION.…………………………………………………………..….14 Beginning Teacher Support Program ..……………………………………….....................14 Benefits …………………………………………………………………………………….........15 Employee Assistance Program ………………………………………………………..16 Episode of Violence ……………...………………………………………................16 Health Insurance .……………………………………………………………………..16 Longevity ………………………………………………………………………..........18 Retirement System ……………………………………………………………….........18 Social Security ………………………………………………………………………..19 State Employee Credit Union ……………………………………………...……........ 20 Workers' Compensation Insurance …………………………….............................. 20 401(k) Program .……………………………………………………………………..... 21 403(b) Program. …………………………………………………………………….......21 Business Expense Reimbursement………………………………………………………..... 21 Classification and Pay Plan-Classified Employees……………………………………….. 21 Communications and Computer Systems…………………………...…………………….. .25 Conditions of Employment-Background Check…………………………………………… 26 Confidential Information................................................................................................... 27 2 New Hanover County Schools Personnel Handbook Conflict of Interest……………………………………………………………………………... 27 Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying & Complaints………………………………….........28 Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace……………………………………………………….......30 Employee Classifications……………………………………………………………..............31 Employee Dress and Appearance………………………………………………................. 34 Employee Grievance……………………………………………………………………......... 36 Employee Relationships……………………………………………………………………... 36 Employment Records…………………………………………………………………….….... 37 Facilities, Equipment and Property………………………………………………………….. 37 Health Certificate……………………………………………………………….…………....... 36 Identification Badges……………………………………………………………….……….... 39 Leave Benefits…………………………………………………………………….....39 Annual Vacation Leave........................................................................................................... 40 Educational Leave.................................................................................................................. 46 Extended Leave of Absence…............................................................................................... 48 Extended Sick Leave.............................................................................................................. 48 Extenuating Circumstances.….……………………………………………………….................. 49 Family Leave........................................................................................................................... 50 Family Medical Leave............................................................................................................. 52 Medical Leave......................................................................................................................... 54 Military Leave.......................................................................................................................... 56 Sick Leave............................................................................................................................... 61 Family and Medical Leave Act................................................................................................ 64 Other Types of Leave. …………………………………………………………………………... 68 3 New Hanover County Schools Personnel Handbook Absences……………............................................................................................................... 68 Community Responsibility Leave.……..………………………………………………………….. 68 Court Attendance Leave....………………………………………………………………………… 68 Elected Officials Leave ...………………………………………………………………………….. 69 Holidays..………………….………………………………………………………………………… 69 Jury Duty ………………….………………………………………………………………………… 70 Officers of Professional Organizations Leave……...…………………………………………… 70 Parental Involvement Leave………..…………………………………………………………….. 70 Personal Leave..…………………..……………………………………………………………….. 71 Precinct Election Officials Leave………………………………………………………………… 71 Professional Leave …….…………..……………………………………………………………… 72 Voluntary Shared Leave……………….………………………….……………………………….. 73 Workers’ Compensation Leave….………..……………………………………………………… 75 Operation of Vehicles/Cellular Phones……………………………………………………….77 Performance Improvement Plans………………………………..........................................79 Performance Review……………………………………………………………………...........79 Personal Visits and Telephone Calls ………………………………………………..............80 Punctuality and Attendance…………………………………………………………...............80 Renewal Process for Licensed Personnel…………………………………………………....81 Resignation………………………………………………………………………………………81 Salary Administration……………………………………………………………………….......82 School Calendar ………………………………………………………………………………...84 School Closing…………………………………………………………………………………...84 Separation from Employment…………………………………………………………………..85 4 New Hanover County Schools Personnel Handbook Social Media…………………………………………………………………………….............85 Solicitation and Distribution………………………………………………………………........86 Staff Development ………..………………………………………………………................86 Statements to the Media………………………………………………………………………..87 Student and Employee Relationships…………………………………………………………87 Suspension or Dismissal of Classified Staff…………………………………………….........88 Timekeeping Procedures...……………………………………………………………….........89 Tobacco Use…………………………………………………………………………................90 Transfer Process…………………………………………………………………………..........90 Self-Initiated……………………………………………………………………………....91 Administrative……………………………………………………………………….........91 Working Hours and Schedule………………………………………………………................92 Lactation Breaks…………………………………………………………………………………94 Workplace Conduct…………………………………………………………………….............95 Workplace Health and Safety………………………………………………………................96 Workplace Violence…………………………………………………………………................97 5 New Hanover County Schools Personnel Handbook Welcome For those beginning employment with us, let us personally extend to you a warm and sincere welcome. You are a very important member of our team and we hope you will enjoy your time working here. We also want to congratulate you on joining one of the top school systems in the country. Please do not hesitate to ask questions concerning your employment or to share in ways we can better serve you and our students. For those of you already employed with us, thank you for helping make New Hanover County Schools a great place to work and learn. Each school day, by working together in support, teaching or administration, we make a positive difference in a student’s life. This handbook addresses the need for our employees to have pertinent information on issues affecting their employment with our school system. While the handbook references numerous New Hanover County Board of Education policies, it is not intended to cover all operating policies and procedures in detail. The complete policy manual is available on our website. Keeping in mind the best interest of our fellow employees and the students we serve, it is expected that you understand and comply with the applicable laws, policies and procedures outlined in this handbook. Also, note that each school or program may assist its employees through site-based guidelines not contained in this handbook. We extend to you our personal best wishes for your success and happiness with New Hanover County Schools. 6 New Hanover County Schools Personnel Handbook CODE OF ETHICS FOR N.C. EDUCATORS The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to define standards of professional conduct. The responsibility to teach, the freedom to learn, and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all are essential to the achievement of these principles. The professional educator acknowledges the worth and dignity of every person and demonstrates the pursuit of truth and devotion to excellence, acquires knowledge, and nurtures democratic citizenship. The educator strives to maintain the respect and confidence of colleagues, students, parents and legal guardians, and the community, and to serve as an appropriate role model. The educator exemplifies a commitment to the teaching and learning processes with accountability to the stude nts, maintains professional growth, exercises professional judgment, and personifies integrity. To uphold these commitments, the educator demonstrates a: I. COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENT A. Protects students from conditions within the educator’s control that circumvent learning or are detrimental to the health and safety of students. B. Maintains an appropriate relationship with students in all settings; does not encourage, solicit, or engage in a sexual or romantic relationship with students, nor touch a student in an inappropriate way for personal gratification, with intent to harm, or out of anger. C. Evaluates students and assigns grades based upon the students’ demonstrated competencies and performance. D. Disciplines students justly and fairly and does not deliberately embarrass or humiliate them. E. Holds in confidence information