Policy Manual

D-640-AR: Extended Leaves

1. A leave of absence from a position in the division can have a beneficial impact on future job performance and satisfaction.  The division supports extended leaves of absence for the purposes of personal and professional growth and development, secondment, and exchange programs.
2. The superintendent or designate, may grant extended leaves for the purposes of personal and professional growth and development, secondment, and exchange programs.
   1. Extended leaves are for a period of one year; however, at the discretion of the superintendent or designate, and at the request of the staff member, such leaves may be extended to a maximum of two years.
   2. Notwithstanding the above, in extraordinary circumstances, only secondments that are requested beyond the two year period may be considered by the superintendent or designate, on an individual basis, provided that:
      1. the extension is required to complete the project or task;
      2. the extension is desired by the division; and
      3. the secondment does not exceed four consecutive years in total.
   3. Under extenuating circumstances, the superintendent or designate may grant an extended leave for purposes beyond those specifically outlined in the policy statement. 
3. An extended leave will:
   1. have no detrimental effect on the provision of programs and services to students; and
   2. be at no cost to the division.
4. To be considered for an extended leave an employee must have permanent status and have been an employee of the division for at least three years.
5. Subject to regulations governing employee benefit plans, the staff member may retain coverage under the plan during the leave.
6. Subject to the application of the Certificated Staff Reduction Policy:
   1. Teachers returning from extended leaves are not guaranteed a return to their previous assignment.
   2. Administrators with continuous designations returning from extended leaves after one year will retain their designation; however, they are not guaranteed a return to their previous assignment.
   3. Administrators requesting extended leaves beyond one year must be prepared to relinquish their designation. An administrator returning after more than one year’s extended leave is assured of a teaching position.
7. Subject to the lay-off provisions of the collective agreement, a non-certificated staff member returning from extended leave is assured a position in the same classification from which the leave was granted.  
8. Employees requesting extended leave for the upcoming school year must make a request in writing to the superintendent or designate on or before March 31 of the current school year.
9. Employees currently on leave shall notify the superintendent or designate in writing of their intent to return from an extended leave or to request a further extended leave for the upcoming year on or before March 31 of the current school year.