§ 4-1-91. Educational leave; reimbursement of education expenses.

(a)

Purpose. This section is provided in order to encourage all regular employees to continue their education in order to maintain and improve skills and knowledge useful in their current positions or necessary for assuming additional responsibilities in the future. Classes should be scheduled during off-duty hours whenever possible.

(b)

Eligibility. Any regular employee who has satisfactorily completed at least six months of continuous employment during his current period of employment with the county is eligible to receive all benefits provided in this section.

(c)

Approved courses. As used in this section, an approved course shall mean:

(1)

Any course taken at an accredited institution which will help the employee improve his performance in his present position or prepare him for opportunities for advancement; or

(2)

All courses taken at an accredited institution as a part of a curriculum leading to a certificate, diploma or degree which will help the employee improve his performance in his present position or prepare him for opportunities for advancement.

(d)

Educational leave without pay.

(1)

Educational leave without pay is full-time or part-time leave in a nonpay status requested by the employee so that he may take approved courses. Such leave is to be approved in advance by the employee's department head and the personnel director.

(2)

An eligible employee may apply by submitting a letter of request to his department head at least 30 days before the first day of leave requested or within five days of notification of his acceptance for admission by the school, whichever is later. The letter of request must include:

a.

The type and purpose of the leave requested;

b.

The duration of the leave;

c.

An attached copy of the letter of acceptance from the school at which the leave will be taken; and

d.

Such other information as may be helpful to the reviewing authority in reaching its determination.

(3)

The employee's request shall be acted upon and the employee notified within ten working days.

(4)

Upon an employee's successful completion of a full-time leave, the county shall reinstate the employee to his former position, or a position of like status and pay, or promote him to a higher position.

(e)

Tuition reimbursement.

(1)

An employee who takes an approved course during off-duty hours or while on educational leave without pay may be reimbursed for certain expenses as provided in this subsection. However, no reimbursement may be paid for any course for which the employee is receiving or has received financial aid from another source.

(2)

An employee may be reimbursed for the cost of tuition, all course-related fees, and one-half the cost of required books. All other costs, such as activity fees, graduation fees, etc., shall be paid by the employee.

(3)

Within ten days after receiving his grades, the employee shall submit an application for tuition reimbursement to the personnel director with the following attachments:

a.

Receipts showing the amounts paid for tuition, fees and books; and

b.

A copy of the grade sheet or other proof of satisfactory completion, as appropriate.

Payment may be made only for those courses in which the employee earns a grade of "B" or better for graduate and post-graduate study and "C" or better for all other study. Proof of satisfactory completion will be required for those courses for which grades are not given. After approving the application, the personnel director will forward the approved form for payment.

(f)

Time off. When an approved course cannot be scheduled during off-duty hours, any regular, full-time employee may request time off from his regular work schedule so that he may meet classes. Such requests shall be made in writing, using the request for educational leave for professional development form, and submitted to the employee's department head. If his request is endorsed by the department head and approved by the personnel director, the employee may be granted time-off pay to take one course per school term for up to the equivalent of three semester hours credit, provided such time off will not interfere with the normal operation of the department.

(g)

Required courses. From time to time it may be necessary for the county to require certain employees to take one or more courses. When this does occur, the county will pay all of the costs of the course, including tuition, fees, books and reasonable transportation costs.

(Ord. of 10-19-76; Code 1980, § 4-1-91)