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District Moves To Prevent Double Dipping
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Published: July 15, 2008
SEBRING - The school district is revising its leave of absence policy to clearly inform employees they cannot work while on leave.
A leave of absence is permission the school board grants employees to be absent from duty for a specified period of time with the right to return to work.
After an employee asked about working outside the district while on leave, School Board Attorney John McClure recommended revising the policy to specifically state that outside employment be prohibited while employees are on leave.
Cracker Trail Elementary Principal Rick Demeri said some school years he would have no one out on leave, but this past year, one teacher was out the entire year due to a medical condition.
"Sometimes we have workmen's comp leaves of absence," he said. "I did have one of those at the end of the year."
For the upcoming school year, Demeri said he has been notified about one pregnancy.
"I've had some people take either the remainder of the year or a whole year off for new births," he said. Most of the leave of absences have been due to either pregnancy or a medical issue.
According to the district's current policy, no leave, except for military reasons, is granted for more than one year. Leave may be with or without pay in accordance with the law.
Lake Country Elementary Principal Majel Bowerman said he has a relatively young staff.
"So most of mine are just maternity leaves - six to eight weeks," she said.
It's not fair for a person to seek employment while they are on leave from a job, she added.
The district is considering terminating employees who work outside the school district while on leave.
A hearing to elicit comment on the proposed revision may be scheduled for the Aug. 19 school board meeting.
If the school board decides to adopt this rule, it may happen at a September meeting, school board secretary Connie Scobey said.
Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com
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