4. Leave of Absence – Teaching/Clinical Staff
4.1 Employees of the teaching/clinical staff who have not completed one (1) year of service, will not be granted aleave of absence in accordance with Section 4.3 by the Board except for study or illness.
4.2 Employees of the teaching/clinical staff who have completed one (1) year of service, may be granted leave of absence by the Board in accordance with section 4.3 of this policy.
4.3 Leaves of Absence
4.3.1 Leave of absence may be granted for a period not to exceed one (1) year. Applications for extension of leave will be accepted subject to any special regulations governing the type of leave requested.
4.3.2 Leave of absence may be granted for reasons of health or for partial or suspected disability. Such applications shall be supported by a report from the employee’s medical doctor setting forth a diagnosis.
4.3.3 Leave of absence may be granted for personal reasons such as illness in the employee’s family, provided that the maximum period for which such leave may be extended shall be limited to three (3) years.
4.3.4 Leave of absence may be granted in order that employees may engage in educational work other than teaching provided that leave for this purpose shall be limited to one (1) year.
4.3.5 Employees may be granted leave of absence for the purpose of undertaking a teaching assignment sponsored by the Department of External Affairs of the Government of Canada or other similar assignments provided that the maximum period for which such leave may be extended shall be limited to three (3) years.
4.3.6 Employees may be granted leave of absence to engage in teaching elsewhere when in the opinion of the School Division, there are extenuating circumstances to warrant the granting of such leave. Leave for this purpose shall be limited to one (1) year.
4.3.7 Leave of absence may be granted for temporary service in the armed forces during peace time.
4.3.8 Time spent on leave of absence shall not be used for determining entitlement to annual salary increments, except as provided in the current Collective Agreement.
4.4 Definition
For the purposes of Section 4, Teaching/Clinical staff shall include teachers, clinicians, Principals, Vice- Principals, Area Service Directors, Consultants, the Chief Librarian and the Service Director of Special Education.
4.5 Authorization for Leave
The Chief Superintendent or designee shall be authorized to grant leaves in accordance with this section with the exception that leaves requested for a period beyond twenty (20) weeks shall require approval of the Board.