SECTION L – JOB SHARING PROGRAM

Job sharing as defined in this section is a voluntary program providing two tenured teachers the opportunity to share one full-time position.

Job sharing proposals shall be governed by the following provisions:

1. Application Procedure

Teachers who wish to job share shall submit an application and proposed plan for a job sharing leave to the Superintendent or designee by January 15 of the year preceding the school year for which the leave is requested. The responsibilities of an assignment may be divided between the participants according to a plan designed by the participants with the concurrence of the Superintendent or designee. The job sharing plan shall include, but not be limited to, division of teaching responsibilities, schedule of work hours and/or days, substitution procedures, District meetings, field trips, and other teaching responsibilities. Both participants are required to attend institute days, in-service days, parent-teacher conferences and open houses. The Board of Education at its discretion may approve the job share application upon recommendation of the Superintendent. Each application for a job sharing program shall be granted or denied within the sole discretion of the Board and all such actions shall be non-precedential.

2. Salary Credit Allowable

Participants in a job sharing plan shall be placed appropriately on the teacher’s salary schedule and salaries shall be pro-rated according to the time worked. Contributions to the Teachers’ Retirement System shall be pro-rated according to the time worked.

3. Length of Plan

The length of a job sharing plan shall be for one school year. The participants may apply to renew the plan in accordance with paragraph 1. Participants in a job sharing plan shall have no vested right in its renewal or extension. Participants in a job sharing plan shall be considered on a leave of absence for that portion of the school work hours and/or days they are not working. In the event one participant cannot complete a job sharing plan due to illness or other emergency, the remaining participant shall have the option of completing the plan as a full-time teacher. If the participant declines, the Board retains the right to terminate the plan and hire a full-time substitute. The participants shall then be placed on an unpaid leave of absence.

4. Seniority

Teachers participating in the job sharing plan set forth in this section shall accrue seniority in proportion to the time worked. The parties agree that a teacher’s participation in an approved job sharing program will not affect the teacher’s tenure status.

5. Return from Leave

Participants in a job sharing plan shall submit by January 15 written notice of their intent to return to full-time employment for the following year. Should a teacher fail to give such notice by January 15, the teacher will return to full-time status. Upon return to full-time employment, the teacher(s) shall be returned to their former positions, seniority permitting, if the position still exists or to a comparable position.