Sabbatical and Short Term Leave

WCEA Master Agreement - Teachers

7.5     Sabbatical Leave: The Board extends to all teachers with seven (7) or more years of continuous service, including authorized leaves of absence, the opportunity to apply for sabbatical leave. Sabbatical leave is not an entitlement, and a formal proposal with justification must be provided to the screening committee. That proposal shall include a discussion of how students will benefit as a result of the teacher's sabbatical. Such leave may only be granted by the Board at its sole discretion, and with the approval of the Superintendent and Principal, for study at recognized and accredited graduate schools, or for an educational alternative found acceptable by the screening committee.

 a)  Sabbatical leave may be granted for either a half school year or a full school year. Either will be considered a sabbatical leave.

 b)  While on a full year sabbatical leave, the Board will pay one-half (½) of the regular salary that a teacher would have received as a full-time employee of that year, and while on a one-half (½) year sabbatical leave, the Board will pay one hundred percent (100%) of the regular salary that a teacher would have received for that one-half (½) year.

 c)  In addition, the Board will continue to provide Health Benefit contributions for employees on sabbatical leave.

 d)  Application for sabbatical leaves will be submitted to the Superintendent and copied to the Principal by November first (1st) of the school year preceding the leave and acted upon before contracts are renewed for that year. No more than one (1) teacher may be on sabbatical leave in any one (1) year.

 e)  Employees granted a sabbatical leave must return to the school as an employee for two (2) years following such leave or return all salary and benefit payments granted during the leave.

 f)  Teachers on sabbatical leave will be guaranteed a same/similar teaching position upon return, subject to the provisions of Article XVI of this Agreement.

 g)  A summary of work completed during sabbatical leave shall be submitted to the Superintendent with copies to the Principal and Board and will become part of the employee's record.

 h)  A screening committee composed of the Superintendent, at least one (1) representative of the Board, one (1) member elected from the Association, and the Principal shall screen all applicants. Final approval of all leaves will be at the sole discretion of the Board.

Short Term Leave - Teachers pursuing their doctorate level degree will be provided with five (5) professional days to complete their dissertation. Please use the same application form as a sabbatical leave request.

WCSU & WCUUSD SABBATICAL / SHORT TERM APPLICATION FORM & REQUIRED FORMAT