HRSB/NSTU Article 60 Professional Development Fund General Overview for Professional Development Funds Applicants should refer to the specific guidelines for each category. Members of the NSTU in the Halifax Regional School Board have access to funding which is global in nature to support Conference Grants, Professional Development Grants, Educational Leaves and Teacher or School Initiated In-service Education through Article 60 of the Teachers Collective Agreement. Applications are encouraged from the designated groups (First Nations peoples, African Nova Scotian people and other racially visible people, people with disabilities and women in nontraditional roles) who may choose to self-identify where applicable. The Fund shall be administered by a Professional Development Committee consisting of eight persons: Four representatives of the Employer Four representatives of the Union The committee shall: Duties of the Committee 1. Select teachers to be granted educational leaves pursuant to the priorities and criteria established in Article 60.09. 2. Select teachers to be granted education leaves of less than four (4) months, conference grants, professional development grants, and reimbursement of teacher or school initiated in-service education expenses. 3. Establish and distribute to teachers the appropriate guidelines and application forms. 4. Prepare a budget for the allocation of the total Fund into the various categories and make this known to the teaching staff on or before April 30th each year. 5. When considered necessary, revise the allocation of funds within the budget during the school year. 6. Establish the rates and/or allowances to be paid for expenses in each category and make these known to the teaching staff by April 30th each year. 7. Establish meeting dates as required. 8. Supply to the Minister, the School Board, and the Union an annual fiscal statement of receipts and disbursements by June 30th of each year. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 1
9. Subject to the requirements of this Article the Committee will be the sole authority for directing the distribution of the Fund. 10. Approve authorized administrative expenses pursuant to Article 60.13. Duties of the Applicant 1. The applicant assumes full responsibility to meet the deadlines and ensure all documentation is submitted to the committee (including documentation from outside sources). The deadlines published are firm and non-negotiable. 2. Applicant will be defined as a permanent, probationary or term teacher. HRSB/NSTU Operational Guidelines 1. The committee will operate within the guidelines of the NSTU collective agreement Article 60. 2. The budget will be formulated and published under the five categories described in Article 60.08. 3. The Committee will review, modify and publish the guidelines by December 31. Source of Funding Commencing with the 2002/2003 fiscal year the Minister shall allocate annually to the Halifax Regional School Board funds for a Professional Development Fund in the amount of $1,600,000.00. Effective the 2004/2005 fiscal year funds indicated above will change according to the change in the Consumer Price Index [CPI Nova Scotia all items (1992 = 100)] for December 2003 over December 2002 and each year thereafter accordingly. Committee Members Dale Armstrong, Coordinator, School Administration Department Paul Betiuk, NSTU Halifax City Local, Elizabeth Sutherland School Lance Bullock, Coordinator, Student Services, Program Department Liette Doucet, NSTU Representative Judy Knowlton, NSTU Dartmouth Local, Michael Wallace School Terry Ryan, NSTU Halifax County Local, Charles P. Allen High School Donna Rowe, Manager, Organizational Planning and Development, Human Resource Services Heather Syms, Coordinator, Education Quality & Accountability, Program Department HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 2
Conference Grants HRSB/NSTU Guidelines A. Provincial Professional Development Day (October Conference): Please Note: Teachers making application for the October conference day reimbursement must apply on the separate Provincial Professional Development Day application form posted on the HRSB professional development web page. B. All Other Conferences: Please Note: The HRSB/NSTU PD Committee may also consider other activities such as workshops, seminars, modules, clinics, symposia and institutes. Conditions 1. Permanent/Probationary/Term teachers may apply for up to one thousand ($1000 Cdn) dollars within each budget year, April 1 March 31. A teacher who accesses conference funds in one budget year may not apply for funds the following year. During alternate years teachers may apply for substitute days only three (3) days maximum per event up to a total of six (6) per year. 2. Prior to seeking funding from the Committee a teacher must seek approval of the necessary leave from his/her principal/supervisor as designated by the Superintendent of the School Board. Such approval shall not be unreasonably denied. The applicant shall be notified of the decision of the request for leave within ten (10) days of the submission date. 3. The application should relate to the professional growth of the teacher and priorities of the Halifax Regional School Board (see link below). 4. Pre-approval for funding is required. TO AVOID MISSING THE DEADLINE, SEE THE CHART AND PROCEDURES BELOW. 5. The actual dates of the conference must be indicated on the application. 6. All other sources of funding must be disclosed on the application. 7. Upon request, the successful applicant shall be willing to lead others and share with them upon return. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 3
Restrictions and Requirements 1. April 1 st determines a budget year. The last day of the conference determines which budget year for funding purposes. 2. Committee may grant each teacher up to a maximum of 6 sub days per budget year but may only apply for 3 sub days per conference. 3. In the event of exceptional circumstances and you do not attend the conference, the Committee will consider reimbursing expenses. A written explanation of the circumstances must be submitted. 4. If the date of the approved conference changes, individuals are responsible for informing the HRSB/NSTU PD Committee, in writing. 5. If you do not attend the conference you were approved for and wish to attend an alternate conference, you must re-apply to the HRSB/NSTU PD Committee for pre-approval. 6. The earliest date of acceptance of applications for the next budget year will be December 31. These applications will be considered at the January meeting and subsequent applications will be considered at the regular meetings as per the guidelines. Reimbursement Requirements: (after conference attendance) 1. Proof of registration is mandatory. 2. Itemized receipts must be included (no debit slips) for any expense submitted for reimbursement. Reasonable expenses within the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) include registration, parking, meals and mileage where applicable. Reasonable expenses outside the HRM include registration, meals, lodging, and travel. 3. Submit original itemized receipts within 4 weeks of completion of conference. If receipts are not received within the deadline, funds will not be reimbursed. 4. The applicant assumes full responsibility to meet the deadlines and ensure all documentation is completed in its entirety and submitted to the committee by the appropriate deadline (including documentation from outside sources). The deadlines published are firm and non-negotiable. Priorities Click here for the HRSB Goals and Priorities Online Application: Procedures Apply by the deadline date PRIOR to the conference. Click here or go to www.hrsb.ns.ca. Click Departments, Human Resource Services, Organizational Planning and Development, Professional Development and select NSTU, Conference Application. Fill in the online application form. Click submit and print a copy of your confirmation form. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 4
Application Deadline Dates no later than 4:00 PM March 30, 2009 April 27, 2009 May 25, 2009 June 15, 2009 September 8, 2009 September 28, 2009 October 26, 2009 November 23, 2009 January 5, 2010 January 25, 2010 February 22, 2010 Conference funding must be pre-approved by the PD Committee prior to attending a conference. The end date of the conference/workshop must take place at least 10 days AFTER the application deadline. Applications not meeting this timeline would be considered late and funding denied. The PD Committee meets once a month to review all applications received by the appropriate deadline date above. Notification of the decision will be posted on the PD Page of the HRSB website within five (5) days on the meeting. Paperwork with further details will arrive in the school mail. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 5
Professional Development (Course) Grants HRSB/NSTU Guidelines Conditions 1. Subject to the established budget the Committee shall pay for teachers to take courses for the purpose of upgrading their professional qualifications or improving their classroom effectiveness. 2. Applicant must be a Permanent, Probationary or Term teacher with the Halifax Regional School Board. A teacher must be under contract with the School Board as of the beginning and end dates of the course. 3. Reimbursement for the period April 1, 2009 - March 31, 2010 will be based on the amount of funding available divided by the number of eligible units. One unit is one half credit. Teachers may claim up to $1000 per half-credit course and $2000 per full credit course for courses beginning in 2009. Reimbursement will be up to a maximum of eighty per cent of the tuition claimed. 4. Applicants on Educational Leave or Leave of Absence without pay are not eligible for a course grant. Criteria For Consideration 1. The course should be relevant to the teacher s present or reasonably anticipated assignment. 2. The course should relate to the service provided or expected to be provided by the teacher. 3. Eligible courses include full credit courses, half credit courses and non-credit courses sanctioned by a recognized university/college. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 6
Procedures For Application and Reimbursement: 1. File one application for each course completed. 2. Applications will only be accepted on-line. This is a two part process: A. Fill in the on-line application form and click submit. Print the confirmation form. (Remember to keep a copy for your records.) B. Submit the confirmation form and required documentation (see #3) to the PD Committee by the appropriate deadline (see schedule below). 3. Required documentation includes: a) transcript/copy of mark. Applicant must supply proof of successful completion of a credit or non-credit course sanctioned by a recognized university/college. b) start and end dates of course in writing from the university/institution. (A letter from the university/professor is acceptable) c) and original receipt indicating the course name, number and tuition paid. (A letter from the registrar/university is acceptable as the required original receipt) Original Receipt for tuition/registration must be submitted. (No account summaries or statements will be accepted.) 4. Both steps of the application process (see #2) must be completed by the appropriate deadline date listed in the table below. 5. The applicant assumes full responsibility to meet the deadlines and ensure all documentation is completed in its entirety and submitted to the committee by the appropriate deadline (including documentation from outside sources). The deadlines published are firm and non-negotiable. Send/deliver to: HRSB/NSTU PD Committee, 90 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4S8 6. The committee will review the applications for course grants three (3) times a year. (See the deadline schedule below) 7. Payment will be calculated and disbursed once a year following the end of the budget year (budget year is April 1 to March 31). Course Completed During the Deadline Date No Later than 4:00 PM Following Dates January 1, 2009 to April 30, 2009 September 8, 2009 May 1, 2009 to August 31, 2009 November 19, 2009 September 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 March 29, 2010 HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 7
FULL YEAR Educational Leave HRSB/NSTU Guidelines Conditions 1. The teacher on Educational Leave will be paid 100% of the salary the teacher would have received had he/she not been on leave including pension, Income Tax, and all other necessary deductions. 2. At the conclusion of the leave, the recipient will be required to submit to the Committee a written report and may be required to make an oral report to the Committee. 3. The teacher granted an Educational Leave must enter into an agreement to teach for the Board for a minimum period of time equal to twice the length of the paid leave. 4. In the event that the teacher on leave ceases to be an employee of the Board during the two years following the leave due to: involuntary transfer in the employment of her/his spouse; illness; death; and disability; the Board shall not request reimbursement for the year of Educational Leave. 5. In all other situations the teacher will be required to reimburse the School Board for that teacher s salary, benefits and other educational costs of the year of educational leave. The teacher will be required to enter into a contract with the School Board which will allow the School Board to recover the salary, benefits and other costs of the educational leave. Where a teacher returns to work but does not fulfill the requirements of Condition 3, the teacher shall be required to reimburse the School Board for that teacher s salary, benefits and other educational costs of the year of educational leave, a sum arrived at by pro-rating the amount received by the teacher while on study leave. 6. Upon completion of the Educational Leave a teacher s status within the school remains the same as if the Educational Leave had not occurred. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 8
7. The Board reserves the right to recall or place applicants in a position for the remainder of the term of the educational leave if the applicants fail to follow the proposed program for academic or personal reasons. Requirements and Restrictions 1. A teacher must have a permanent contract at the time of application. 2. Applicants must have completed five (5) years of service with the Halifax Regional School Board at the time that the leave begins. 3. Applications must be submitted to the Superintendent via the HRSB/NSTU PD Committee, c/o Human Resource Services, 90 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth. 4. Eligible applications will be forwarded to the PD Committee. Where the Superintendent or Director of Human Resources declines to forward the application the applicant will be given the reasons in writing before March 15 th. Only reasons related to personnel or operational matters could cause a denial of an application by the Superintendent. 5. Applicants who are short-listed by the Committee will be required to present their plan before the Committee and respond to questions. 6. Applicants must take a full course load while on educational leave. 7. Applicants must provide proof of acceptance, or completed arrangements for the program for which the leave was granted. 8. Changes in the educational leave plan must be provided to the Committee in writing at the time the change occurs. 9. While on educational leave, applicants cannot be gainfully employed without the written permission of the Board. 10. Applicants are not eligible for conference and/or course grant funding while on educational leave. 11. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For the requested documentation see Procedures below. 12. The applicant assumes full responsibility to meet the deadlines and ensure all documentation is submitted to the Committee by the deadline (including documentation from outside sources). The deadlines published are firm and non-negotiable. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 9
Criteria For Consideration 1. Submission of a well planned educational leave proposal that meets the requirements and criteria for the leave which supports the professional growth of the teacher. 2. The Board s Goals and Priorities [click here for the Goals and Priorities] and the staffing/programming requirements of the system will be among the primary considerations used in awarding educational leaves. Such requirements may include but are not limited to: Assessment Diversity French Immersion Guidance Literacy Mathematics Resource/Learning Centre School Psychology System Leadership 3. Applications are encouraged from the designated groups (First Nations peoples, African Nova Scotian people and other racially visible people, people with disabilities and women in non-traditional roles) who should self-identify in the application form. 4. A willingness and potential to lead others and share with them on return. 5 A positive contribution to the teaching profession. 6. Compatibility of program of study with assignment and/or Board/Provincial initiatives. 7. Recognized contributions to NSTU Local/Provincial professional development and leadership activities. Procedures 1. Access application. Click here or go to www.hrsb.ns.ca Click Departments, Human Resources, Organizational Planning and Development, Professional Development and select NSTU, Full Year Educational Leave Application. Save the application form as a Word document. Complete the form using Word. Print the form. Attach all other information as requested below. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 10
2. You must include two (2) current letters of professional reference that are written specifically to support this application. One of the two letters of reference must be from a current or prior school board administrator. Do not include references from the intended educational institution. 3. Attach an official letter of confirmation of completed arrangements from an accredited educational institution. However, an application will be considered without the letter of confirmation, which must be received by May 15, 2009 if an Educational Leave is to be awarded. 4. PLEASE ENCLOSE 9 SIGNED COPIES OF YOUR APPLICATION including 9 copies of all requested documentation. The applicant assumes full responsibility to meet the deadlines and ensure all documentation is submitted to the committee by the deadline (including documentation from outside sources). The deadlines published are firm and non-negotiable. Return applications to: Full Year Educational Leave Application HRSB/NSTU PD Committee Human Resource Services 90 Alderney Drive Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4S8 Deadline for Applications: Monday, February 16, 2009 4:00 PM Successful candidates will be notified by March 31, 2009. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 11
Educational Leave Less Than One Year HRSB/NSTU Guidelines Conditions 1. The teacher on Educational Leave will be paid 100% of the salary the teacher would have received had he/she not been on leave including pension, Income Tax, and all other necessary deductions. 2. At the conclusion of the leave, the recipient shall be required to submit to the Committee a written report and may be required to make an oral report to the Committee. 3. A teacher granted an educational leave shall be required to remain in the employ of the School Board for a period of time equal to twice the length of the paid leave. 4. In the event that the teacher on leave ceases to be an employee of the Board during the two years following the leave due to: involuntary transfer in the employment of her/his spouse; illness; death; and disability; the Board shall not request reimbursement for the year of Educational Leave. 5. In all other situations the teacher will be required to reimburse the School Board for that teacher s salary, benefits and other educational costs of the year of educational leave. The teacher will be required to enter into a contract with the School Board which will allow the School Board to recover the salary, benefits and other costs of the educational leave. Where a teacher returns to work but does not fulfill the requirements of Condition 3, the teacher shall be required to reimburse the School Board for that teacher s salary, benefits and other educational costs of the year of educational leave, a sum arrived at by pro-rating the amount received by the teacher while on study leave. 6. Upon completion of the Educational Leave a teacher s status within the school remains the same as if the Educational Leave had not occurred. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 12
Requirements and Restrictions 1. A teacher must have a permanent contract at the time of application. 2. Applicants must have completed three (3) years of service with the Halifax Regional School Board at the time that the leave begins. 3. Applications must be submitted to the Superintendent via the HRSB/NSTU PD Committee, c/o Human Resource Services, 90 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth. Eligible applications will be forwarded to the PD Committee. 4. Applicants who are short-listed by the Committee will be required to present their plan before the Committee and respond to questions. 5. Applicants must provide proof of acceptance, or completed arrangements for the program for which the leave was granted. 6. Applicants must take a full course load while on educational leave. 7. Changes in the educational leave plan must be provided to the Committee in writing at the time the change occurs. 8. The applicant assumes full responsibility to meet the deadlines and ensure all documentation is submitted to the Committee by the deadline (including documentation from outside sources). The deadlines published are firm and non-negotiable. 9. The Board reserves the right to recall or place applicants in a position for the remainder of the term of the educational leave if the applicants fail to follow the proposed program for academic or personal reasons. 10. While on educational leave, applicants cannot be gainfully employed without the written permission of the Board. 11. Applicants are not eligible for conference and/or course grant funding while on educational leave. Criteria For Consideration 1. Submission of a well planned educational leave proposal that meets the requirements and criteria for the leave which supports the professional growth of the teacher. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 13
2. The Board s Goals and Priorities click here for Goals and Priorities and the staffing/programming requirements of the system will be among the primary considerations used in awarding educational leaves over four (4) months. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to: Assessment Diversity French Immersion Guidance Literacy Mathematics Resource/Learning Centre School Psychology System Leadership For leaves of less than four (4) months such requirements may include but are not limited to the above goals and priorities. 3. Applications are encouraged from the designated groups (First Nations peoples, African Nova Scotian people and other racially visible people, people with disabilities and women in non-traditional roles) who should self-identify in the application form. 4. A willingness and potential to lead others and share with them on return. 5. A positive contribution to the teaching profession. 6. Compatibility of program of study with assignment and/or Board/Provincial initiatives. 7. Recognized contributions to NSTU Local/Provincial professional development and leadership activities. Procedures 1. Access application. Click here or go to www.hrsb.ns.ca. Click Departments, Human Resources, Organizational Planning and Development, Professional Development and select NSTU, Educational Leave Less Than One Year Application. Save the application form as a Word document. Complete the form using Word. Print the form. Attach all other information as requested below. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 14
2. You must include two (2) letters of professional reference. One of the two letters of reference must be from a current or prior school board administrator. Do not include references from the intended educational institution. 3. Attach an official letter of confirmation of completed arrangements from an accredited educational institution. 4. PLEASE ENCLOSE 9 SIGNED COPIES OF YOUR APPLICATION including 9 copies of all requested documentation. Return applications to: Educational Leave Less Than One Year HRSB/NSTU PD Committee Human Resource Services 90 Alderney Drive Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4S8 5. Applications must be received at 90 Alderney Drive no later than 4:00 PM on the dates indicated in the box below. Applications must be received at 90 Alderney Drive no later than 4:00 PM May 4, 2009 for September to December 2009 leaves October 5, 2009 for January to May 2010 leaves HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 15
In-service Promotion Grant Teacher or School Initiated HRSB/NSTU Guidelines The committee wishes to encourage staff development through in-service education. Conditions 1. Pre-approval of the Committee is required prior to disbursement of funds. 2. All applications requiring the use of school time must have the prior approval of the Principal or Direct Supervisor. 3. The application should indicate if the in-service is in conjunction with another teacher/school or group of teachers/schools. 4. The applicant assumes responsibility to complete the application form in full and to meet the application deadlines listed below. The deadlines published below are firm and non-negotiable. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 5. Eligible expenses may include speaker s fees and expenses, nutrition break ($4.00 per person), facilities, and materials and supplies. All expenses submitted will be considered by the committee. 6. In the case of teacher initiated in-services, a limited number of substitute days will be considered, no more than one day per teacher per budget year. Criteria For Consideration When considering the merit of the application the following criteria may be considered: 1. The in-service offers support in the implementation of the Board s Goals and Priorities. Click Here for the Goals and Priorities 2 The in-service supports the professional growth of the teachers involved which may include the goals of the teacher s professional growth plan. 3. The in-service offers support to planning for improvement. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 16
4. The in-service application includes a well-planned, detailed description of the professional development day. 5. The in-service application includes the number of teachers who will benefit from the professional development day. Procedures Apply at least ONE MONTH prior to the date of your in-service. Online Application Click Here or go to www.hrsb.ns.ca Click Departments, Human Resource Services, Organizational Planning and Development, Professional Development and select NSTU, In-service Promotion Application. Fill in the online application form. Click SUBMIT and print a copy of your confirmation. Successful applicants will receive an expense form. Submit the form with original receipts. Application Deadline Dates No Later Than 4:00 PM March 30, 2009 April 27, 2009 May 25, 2009 June 15, 2009 September 8, 2009 September 28, 2009 October 26, 2009 November 23, 2009 January 5, 2010 January 25, 2010 February 22, 2010 The PD Committee meets once a month to review all applications received by the appropriate deadline date above. After the review meeting, notification of the decision will be communicated via the school mail. HRSB/NSTU PD Guidelines Effective April 1, 2009-March 31, 2010 17