Employee Handbook2011-2012 Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD 1200 Old Decatur Road Fort Worth, TX 76179 817.232.0880 BOARD OF EDUCATION Tony Owens Paige Ring Place 1 Place 2 Rob Franklin Dick Elkins Board Secretary Board President Place 3 Place 4 Steven G. Newcom Tim Dennis Vice President Place 6 Place 5 Donna Webb Place 7 ADMINISTRATION Jim Chadwell, Superintendent Lowell Strike, Deputy Superintendent Steve Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer Jim Schiele, Chief Financial Officer Barbara Downing, Chief Learning Officer Clete Welch, Chief Operating Officer Jana Burns, Director of Special Programs Lucia Cieszlak, Director of Purchasing Kristin Courtney, Director of Communications Tim Daughtrey, Director of Athletics Dana Eldredge, Director of Career and Technology Education Brenda Evans, Director of Counseling and Intervention Services DeAnne Hainlen, Director of Staff Development Bobby Jester, Director of Student and Staff Services Jim Knight, Director of Operations Rick Martin, Director of Construction Kirk Murdock, Director of Technology Elaine Revell, Director of Child Nutrition Robert Stovall, Director of Fine Arts Jane Valdez, Director of Business Emily Youngberg, Director of Education Foundation Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Employee Handbook 2011-2012 Table of Contents Introduction 2 District information 2 Beliefs 2 Employee Relations and Communications 25 Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives 2 Complaints and Grievances 27 Board of Trustees 3 Employee Conduct and Welfare 27 Board Meeting Schedule for 2011-2012 3 Standards of Conduct 27 Staff Development 4 Code of Ethics 28 Helpful Contacts 4 Dress Code 30 Organizational Chart 5 Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation 31 Secondary School Directory 6 Harassment of Students 31 Elementary School Directory 7 Reporting Suspected Child Abuse 32 Employment 8 Technology Resources 34 Equal Employment Opportunity 8 Use of Electronic Media 34 Job Vacancy Announcements 8 Electronic Communications Policy 37 Employment after Retirement 8 Electronic Documentation Retention 39 Contract and Non-Contract Employment 8 Criminal History Background Checks 40 Searches and Alcohol and Drug Testing 9 Employee Arrests and Convictions 41 Health Safety Training 10 Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention 41 Reassignments and Transfers 10 Tobacco Use 41 Workload and Work Schedules 10 Fraud and Financial Impropriety 42 Notification of Parents Regarding Qualifications 11 Conflict of Interest 42 Outside Employment and Tutoring 11 Gifts and Favors 42 Performance Evaluation 11 Copyrighted Materials 43 Employee Involvement 11 Associations and Political Activities 43 Staff Development 12 Safety 43 Compensation and Benefits 12 Possession of Firearms and Weapons 43 Salaries, Wages, and Stipends 12 Visitors in the Workplace 44 Annualized Compensation 12 Asbestos Management Plan 44 Paychecks 13 Pest Control Treatment 44 Payroll Dates 13 Other Topics 44 Automatic Payroll Deposit 13 General Procedures 47 Teacher Salary Schedule 14 Bad Weather Closing 47 Payroll Deductions 15 Emergencies 47 Overtime Compensation 15 Purchasing Procedures 48 Travel Expense Reimbursement 16 Name and Address Changes 48 Health, Dental, and Life Insurance 16 Personnel Records 48 Other Retirement Accounts 17 Building Use 49 Supplemental Insurance Benefits 17 Termination of Employment 49 Cafeteria Plan Benefits (Section 125) 17 Resignations 49 Workers’ Compensation Insurance 17 Dismissal or Non-renewal of Contract Employees 49 Unemployment Compensation Insurance 17 Dismissal of Non-contract Employees 49 Teacher Retirement 18 Exit Interviews and Procedures 50 Other Benefit Programs 18 Reports to State Board for Educator Certification 50 Vacation 18 Reports Concerning Court-Ordered Withholding 50 Leaves and Absences 18 Student Issues 51 Personal Leave 19 Equal Educational Opportunities 51 Sick Leave 20 Student Records 51 Local Leave 20 Parent and Student Complaints 51 Hardship Leave 20 Administering Medication to Students 52 Sick Leave Bank 21 Dietary Supplements 52 Family and Medical Leave 21 Psychotropic Drugs 52 Temporary Disability 23 Student Conduct and Discipline 52 Workers’ Compensation Benefits 24 Student Attendance 52 Assault Leave 24 Bullying 53 Bereavement Leave 24 Hazing 53 Jury Duty 25 School Calendar 54 Other Court Appearances 25 Military Leave 25 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 welcome and may be sent to the office of the Chief Human Resources Officer. 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 non-contract 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 the office of the Chief Human Resources Officer and are available for employee review during normal working hours. District policies can be accessed on line at www.emsisd.com. District Information Beliefs We believe that: • Student achievement is our first priority. • Students are the primary focus of all decisions. • All students can learn through a variety of instructional methods that meet their individual needs. • All students deserve quality schools and a quality education. • All stakeholders (district employees, parents, board members, community members, and students) share the responsibility for advancing the district mission. • EM-S ISD should be guided by long-range plans designed to meet the vision, mission, and goals of the district. • The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative. • A physically and emotionally safe environment promotes student learning. • Student success is enhanced by positive relationships and mutual respect. • These beliefs are attainable through the enactment of our mission and our goals. Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives Policy AE The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD staff, in partnership with its stakeholders, will provide each student with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to become a well-informed, productive, and responsible citizen. Target goals adopted by the Board of Education for 2009-2012 include: • Ensure ever higher student achievement • Meet the challenges of student enrollment growth • Sustain a safe and secure environment 2 Board of Trustees Policies BA, BB series, BD series and BE series Texas law grants the board of trustees the power to govern and oversee the management of the district’s schools. The board is the policy-making body within the district and has overall responsibility for the curriculum, school taxes, annual budget, employment of the Superintendent and other professional staff, and facilities. The board has complete and final control over school matters within limits established by state and federal law and regulations. The board of trustees is elected by the citizens of the district to represent the community’s commitment to a strong educational program for the district’s children. Trustees are elected by place and serve three-year terms. Trustees serve without compensation, must be registered voters, and must reside in the district. Special meetings may be called when necessary. A written notice of regular and special meetings will be posted at the Truett B. Absher Administrative Services Building at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting time and is also posted on the website at www.emsisd.com. The written notice will show the date, time, place, and subjects of each meeting. In emergencies, a meeting may be held with a two-hour notice. All meetings are open to the public. In certain circumstances, Texas law permits the board to go into a closed session from which the public and others are excluded. Closed session may occur for such things as discussing prospective gifts or donations, real-property acquisition, certain personnel matters including employee complaints, security matters, student discipline, or consulting with attorneys regarding pending litigation. Board Meeting Schedule for 2011-2012 August 15, 2011 February 27, 2012 September 19, 2011 March 19, 2012 October 17, 2011 April 16, 2012 November 14, 2011 May 21, 2012 December 12, 2011 June 18, 2012 January 23, 2012 July 16, 2012 3 Staff Development Schedule New Staff Orientation - For all professional and paraprofessional employees new to EM-S ISD Wednesday, August 10 All professional employees new to EM-S ISD Thursday and Friday, August 11 and 12 Staff In-Service Days - for all employees Monday, August 15, 2011 Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Wednesday, August 17, 2011 Thursday, August 18, 2011 Friday, August 19, 2011 Monday, October 10, 2011 *November 21, 2011 *November 22, 2011 Monday, January 16, 2012 Friday, June 1, 2012 *Note to Staff: Twelve work-off hours are built into the school calendar as part of the teacher’s 187 day contract, and require teachers to earn twelve hours of staff development outside of the official work day. All teachers will be dismissed for the two work-off days on November 21 and 22; however,