
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
2007-2008
Table of Contents
District goals and objectives. 8
Board meeting schedule for 2007-08. 10
Central Administration Office. 12
Equal employment opportunity. 12
Employment after retirement 12
Contract and noncontract employment 13
Term and continuing contracts. 14
Noncertified professional and administrative employees. 14
Searches and alcohol and drug testing. 14
First aid and CPR certification. 15
Reassignments and transfers. 15
Workload and work schedules. 16
Paraprofessional and auxiliary employees. 16
Notification of parents regarding qualifications. 16
Outside employment and tutoring. 17
Salaries, wages, and stipends. 18
Travel expense reimbursement 20
Health, dental, and life insurance. 20
Supplemental insurance benefits. 20
Cafeteria plan benefits (Section 125) 20
Workers’ compensation insurance. 21
Unemployment compensation insurance. 21
Workers’ compensation benefits. 25
Reemployment after military leave. 26
Continuation of health insurance. 26
Employee relations and communications. 27
Employee recognition and appreciation. 27
Employee conduct and welfare. 27
Reporting suspected child abuse. 31
Fraud and financial impropriety. 32
Associations and political activities. 33
Employee arrests and convictions. 34
Possession of firearms and weapons. 34
Computer use and data management 35
Dismissal or nonrenewal of contract employees. 38
Dismissal of noncontract employees. 39
Exit interviews and procedures. 39
Reports to State Board for Educator Certification. 39
Reports concerning court-ordered withholding. 39
Equal educational opportunities. 40
Parent and student complaints. 40
Administering medication to students. 41
Payroll cutoffs date schedule. 47
Detailed information on paycheck. 48
The purpose of this handbook is to provide information that will help with questions and pave the way for a successful year. Not all district policies and procedures are included. Those that are have been summarized.
This handbook is neither a contract nor a substitute for the official district policy manual. Nor is it intended to alter the at-will status of noncontract employees in any way. Rather, it is a guide to and a brief explanation of district policies and procedures related to employment. These policies and procedures can change at any time; these changes shall supersede any handbook provisions that are not compatible with the change. For more information, employees may refer to the policy codes that are associated with handbook topics, confer with their supervisor, or call the appropriate district office. District policies can be accessed on line at http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/032902/.
Name ____________________________________
Campus/department _________________________
I hereby acknowledge receipt of my personal copy of the Pittsburg ISD Employee Handbook. I agree to read the handbook and abide by the standards, policies, and procedures defined or referenced in this document.
An electronic copy of the handbook is available on our website.
The information in this handbook is subject to change. I understand that changes in district policies may supersede, modify, or render obsolete the information summarized in this booklet. As the district provides updated policy information, I accept responsibility for reading and abiding by the changes.
I understand that no modifications to contractual relationships or alterations of at-will employment relationships are intended by this handbook.
I understand that I have an obligation to inform my supervisor or department head of any changes in personal information, such as phone number, address, etc. I also accept responsibility for contacting my supervisor or the human resource department if I have questions or concerns or need further explanation.
___________________________ ____________________________
Signature Date
Note: You have been given two copies of this form. Please sign and date one and keep it. Sign and date the other copy and forward it to Central Office.
Employees are to wear clothing that is neat and clean. Employees are not to wear clothing that is tight, revealing, short, torn, tattered, dirty and excessively faded, or with visual, written, or implied messages that are likely to disrupt the school environment.
Noisy, distracting jewelry/accessories that could cause a safety hazard may not be worn. In keeping with professional decorum, earrings may be worn by female employees only,
and ears are the only exposed areas of the body on which pierced jewelry may be worn. Tattoos must be covered.
Footwear must be worn at all times. Shoes traditionally worn around the home (i.e. house shoes, pool or shower shoes) are not permitted. Tennis/athletic shoes that are clean and in good condition may be worn.
The site administrator may designate “school spirit” days. On those days, it is permissible to wear wind suits or jeans, and approved shirts (tee shirts with school logos or school colors). On special days/events (i.e. Western Day, Red Ribbon Week, and Homecoming), the site administrator may designate special attire. The site administrator will determine dress for work days and site-based staff development days.
Women may wear dress or casual slacks of appropriate material. Capri pants, or colored jeans (no blue denim), may be worn. Walking shorts, city shorts, or skorts may be no shorter than at the knee. Women’s skirts/dresses may not be shorter than fingertip length. Leggings may be worn only under a dress/skirt.
Seasonal/decorated shirts and blouses may be worn. Tank tops, backless apparel, midriffs, tops with straps less than 2 inches, sleeveless tops that are revealing (deep or low cut), or see-through blouses are not acceptable. Any clothing that inappropriately exposes the body, belly or cleavage is unaceptable.
Men shall wear dress or casual slacks. Shirts with collars or sweaters or turtlenecks may be worn. Socks must be worn with shoes. Shorts may not be worn.
Hair shall be well groomed. Men’s hair shall not extend below the base of the neck. Small, well groomed mustaches are permitted. However, beards of facial hair, other than mustaches are not appropriate for members of the staff since thay are not permitted for students.
Policy AE
The mission of the District is to provide all children with a quality academic background that ensures their development intellectually, emotionally, socially, and technologically in order to prepare them to thrive in our global world.
Policies AB, AF
The mission of the Texas public education system is to ensure that all Texas children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their full potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and educational opportunities in our state and nation. That mission is grounded on the conviction that a general diffusion of knowledge is essential for the welfare of Texas and for the preservation of the liberties and rights of Texas citizens. It is further grounded on the conviction that a successful public education system is directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and that parental involvement in the school is essential for the maximum educational achievement of a child.
The objectives of public education are:
OBJECTIVE 1: Parents will be full partners with educators in the education of their children.
OBJECTIVE 2: Students will be encouraged and challenged to meet their full educational potential.
OBJECTIVE 3: Through enhanced dropout prevention efforts, all students will remain in school until they obtain a diploma.
OBJECTIVE 4: A well-balanced and appropriate curriculum will be provided to all students.
OBJECTIVE 5: Educators will prepare students to be thoughtful, active citizens who have an appreciation of the basic values of our state and national heritage and who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society.
OBJECTIVE 6: Qualified and highly effective personnel will be recruited, developed, and retained.
OBJECTIVE 7: Texas students will demonstrate exemplary performance in comparison to national and internationals standards.
OBJECTIVE 8: School campuses will maintain a safe and disciplined environment conducive to student learning.
OBJCTIVE 9: Educators will keep abreast of the development of creative and innovative techniques in instruction and administration using those techniques as appropriate to improve student learning.
OBJECTIVE 10: Technology will be implemented and used to increase the effectiveness of student learning, instructional management, staff development and administration.
The academic goals of public education are to serve as a foundation for a well-balanced and appropriate education. The students in the public education system will demonstrate
exemplary performance in:
GOAL 1: The reading and writing of the English language.
GOAL 2: The understanding of mathematics.
GOAL 3: The understanding of science.
GOAL 4: The understanding of social studies.
Education Code 4.001, 4.002
Policies BA, BAA, BBA, BBB, BBE, BE, BEC, BED
Texas law grants the board of trustees the power to govern and oversee the management of the district’s schools. The board is the policy-making body within the district and has over