EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK 2017-2018 0 Table of Contents Introduction ……………………………………………4 Employee Handbook Receipt ………………………….5 District Information ……………………………….……6 Description of the district …………………………………6 District map ……………………………………Appendix A Mission Statement …………………………………………6 Board Mission Statement………………………………….6 District Beliefs…………………………………………….7 District Goals and Objectives ……………………………7 Board of Trustees ………………………………………..8 Board Meeting Schedule for 2017-2018……………...…...9 Administration …………………………………………. .9 School Calendar………………………………...Back Cover Helpful contacts……………. ……………………………9 School department directory ..…………………………...10 Employment ……………………………………………10 Equal employment opportunity …………………………10 Job vacancy announcements ……………………………10 Teacher Dress Code……………………………………...10 Employment after retirement …………………………11 Contract and noncontract employment …………………11 Certification and Licenses ……………………………….12 Recertification of Employment Authorization…………...12 Searches and alcohol and drug testing …………………12 Health Safety Training …………..……………………....13 Reassignments and transfers ……………………………13 Workload and work schedules …………………………..14 Breaks for Expression of Breast Milk …………………...14 Notification of parents regarding qualifications ………....15 Outside employment and tutoring ………………………..15 Performance evaluation ………………………………….15 Employee involvement …………………………………..16 Staff development ………………………………………..16 Compensation and Benefits …………………………16 Salaries, wages, and stipends …………………………….16 Early Separation………………………………………… 17 Paychecks ………………………………………………..17 Automatic payroll deposit ……………………………….18 Payroll deductions ……………………………………….18 Overtime compensation ………………………………….18 Travel expense reimbursement …………………………..19 Health, Dental, and Life Insurance ……………………....19 Supplemental insurance benefits…………………………20 Cafeteria plan benefits (Section 125) …………………….20 Supplemental local benefits ……………………………...20 1 Workers’ compensation insurance ……………………….20 Unemployment compensation insurance…………………21 Teacher retirement………………………………………. 21 Other benefit programs …………………………………21 Leaves and Absences ……………………………… 22 Medical certification ……………………………………..22 Continuation of Health Insurance ………………………..23 Personal leave ……………………………………………23 State sick leave ………………………………………….24 Local leave ……………………………………………….24 Sick Leave Bank ………………………………………....24 Sick Leave Bank Guidelines and Forms ...….....Appendix D Attendance incentives ……………………………………24 Family and Medical Leave – General Provisions………..25 Local Family and Medical Leave Provisions ……………27 Temporary disability leave……………………………….28 Workers’ compensation benefits…………………………28 Short-term paid leave…………………………………….29 Assault leave …………………………………………….29 Bereavement leave ………………………………………29 Jury duty …………………………………………………29 Other court appearances …………………………………30 Military leave …………………………………………….30 Employee Relations and Communications ………31 Employee recognition and appreciation …………………31 District communications …………………………………31 Complaints and Grievances …………………………31 Employee Conduct and Welfare …………………….31 Standards of conduct …………………………………….31 Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics ………...........Appendix C Discrimination,Harassment, and Retaliation ……………32 Harassment of students …………………………………32 Reporting suspected child abuse …………………………33 Sexual Abuse and Maltreatment of Children…………….34 Reporting Crime………………………………………….34 Technology Resources ……………. …………………….34 Personal use of electronic Communications……………...35 Electronic Communications between Employees and Students…………….…………….……………………....36 Use of wireless communicaton devices ………………… 38 Criminal history background checks …………………….38 Employee arrests and convictions ……………………….39 Alcohol- and Drug-Abuse prevention …………………...40 Tobacco Products and E-Cigarette use……………….…..40 Fraud and financial impropiety ………………………….40 Conflict of interest ……………………………………….41 Gifts and favors …………………………………………..41 2 Copyrighted materials ……………………………………41 Associations and political activities ……………………..42 Charitable Contributions…………………………………42 Safety …………………………………………………….42 Possession of firearms and weapons ……………………43 Visitors in the workplace ………………………………..43 Asbestos management plan ………………………………43 Pest control treatment ……………………………………43 General Procedures …………………………………..44 Bad weather closing ……………………………………..44 Emergencies ……………………………………………..44 Purchasing procedures …………………………………44 Activity funds / fund raising activities …………………..45 Name and address changes ………………………………46 Personnel records ………………………………………..46 Building use ……………………………………………..47 Termination of Employment …………………………47 Resignations ……………………………………………..47 Dismissal or nonrenewal of contract employees…………47 Dismissal of noncontract employees …………………….48 Exit interviews and procedures ………………………….48 Exit interview form & questionaire…………...Appendix E Reports to the Texas Education Agency ……………... ...48 Reports concerning court-ordered withholding ………….49 Student Issues ………………………………………..49 Equal educational opportunities …………………………49 Student records ………………………………………….49 Academic Achievement: Grading/Progress Reports to Parents…50 Parent and student complaints …………………………..52 Administering medication to students …………………..52 Dietary supplements ……………………………………..52 Psychotropic drugs ………………………………………52 Student conduct and discipline …………………………..53 Student attendance ……………………………………….53 Bullying ……………………………………………….53 Hazing ……………………………………………………56 Computer Network and Internet Access Safety Policies...56 Guidelines for employee computer use ………………….57 Unacceptable uses of the network ……………………….57 Computer Network and Internert Access & Safety Policies / Permission for the Publication of Employee Work/Pictures.…59 Country Club Membership Form ………………………..60 Public Information Access Form ………………………..61 Emergency Contact Information ………………………...62 Appendix A—District Map Appendix B—School Calendar (Back Cover) Appendix C—Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics Appendix D—Sick Leave Bank Information & Forms Appendix E—Exit Interview Form & Questionaire 3 Introduction The purpose of this handbook is to provide information that will help with questions and pave the way for a successful year. Not all district policies and procedures are included. Those that are have been summarized. Suggestions for additions and improvements to this handbook are wel- come and may be sent to the Olton ISD Superintendent’s Office. This handbook is neither a contract nor a substitute for the official district policy manual. Nor is it intended to alter the at-will status of noncontract employees in any way. Rather, it is a guide to and a brief explanation of district policies and procedures related to employment. These policies and procedures can change at any time; these changes shall supersede any handbook provisions that are not compatible with the change. For more information, employees may refer to the policy codes that are associated with handbook topics, confer with their supervisor, or call the appropriate district office. Policy manuals are located in each campus office and the central office and are available for employee review during normal working hours. The district policy manual is available online at http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/140905. 4 EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK RECEIPT Name Campus/Department I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Olton ISD Employee Handbook. I agree to read the handbook and abide by the standards, policies, and procedures defined or references in this document. Employees have the option of receiving the handbook in electronic format or hard copy. The Olton ISD Employee Handbook is available on the Olton ISD website at http://www.oltonisd.net under the drop down box under “Personnel” and “Employee Handbook”. Please indicate your choice by checking the appropriate box below: I choose to receive the employee handbook in electronic format and accept responsibility for accessing it according to the instructions provided. I choose to receive a hard copy of the employee handbook. The information in this handbook is subject to change. I understand that changes in district policies may supersede, modify, or render obsolete the information summarized in this book. As the district provides updated policy information, I accept responsibility for reading and abiding by the changes. I understand that no modifications to contractual relationships or alternations of at-will employment relationships are intended by this handbook. I understand that I have an obligation to inform my supervisor or department head of any changes in personal information such as phone number, address, etc. I also accept responsibility for contacting my supervisor or the Superintendent if I have questions or concerns or need further explanation. Signature Date Please sign and date this receipt and forward it to the Superintendent’s Office. 5 District Information Description of the District Olton is a community of about 2,300 and is located in Lamb Co. on Highway 70 and 24 miles west of Plainview and midway between the cities of Amarillo and Lubbock. The area’s industry almost totally revolves around agribusiness. Area farms are very productive due to excellent growing conditions and irrigation. The principle crops include, corn, cotton, wheat, grain sorghum, and various vegetables. Cattle feeding operations are located in the area as well. Excellent teachers provide quality instruction to Olton’s students. Approximately 630 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 attend the school. The facilities are a combination of new and old buildings. All are in excellent