Section 5-E1204. EXTENDED LEAVE OF ABSENCE

 

1204.1All employees in the Educational Service shall be eligible for extended leaves of absence for periods in excess of thirty (30) days and to exceed two (2) years.

 

1204.2Extended leave of absence may be authorized for, but is not limited to, the following reasons:

 

(a)Personal illness;

 

(b)Family care;

 

(c)Maternity leave;

 

(d)Paternity leave;

 

(e)Adoption leave;

 

(f)Educational leave with pay;

 

(g)Educational leave without pay; and

 

(h)Military service leave.

 

1204.3The Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee shall authorize extended leaves of absence for all employees in accordance with this section.

 

1204.4The Superintendent shall establish procedures for the application and approval of extended leaves of absence.

 

1204.5An employee on extended leave of absence while working in a charter school may request an extension of this leave of absence for an unlimited number of two-year terms. The Superintendent may not unreasonably (as determined by the eligible chartering authority that chartered the school in which the employee works) withhold approval of such a request.

 

1204.6Leave of absence for ET-15 and other school based employees shall commence with the beginning of a semester, to the extent possible.

 

1204.7Extended leave of absence for ET and other school based employees shall not end during a semester unless authorized by the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee.

 

1204.8Failure to return to duty following the expiration of an extended leave of absence, or authorized extension thereof, or failure to comply with established procedures may be considered as voluntary resignation.

 

1204.9Extended leave of absence shall not be authorized for full-time employment outside of the D.C. Public Schools except as follows:

 

(a)Employment that directly relates to the stated missions, goals, or objectives of D.C. Public Schools, as determined by the Superintendent of Schools;

 

(b)One (1) year of full-time employment with the local union of an educational service employee; and

 

(c)Employment with a public charter school.

 

1204.10All extended leaves of absence shall be without pay, with the exception of educational leave to pursue full-time graduate study in an area related to the stated goals and objectives of D.C. Public Schools.

 

1204.11Upon return to duty from extended leave of absence without pay, reinstatement shall be made to the level of the salary schedule commensurate with the position to which the employee is reinstated; provided, that such an employee shall be reinstated to the same level of the salary schedule as at the beginning of the leave of absence when required by Federal or District law.

 

1204.12Credit for partial years of service shall be granted according to procedures established by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

1204.13Accrued annual or sick leave shall remain as of the balance at the beginning of the extended leave of absence with or without pay.

 

1204.14Seniority shall remain as of the balance at the beginning of the extended leave or absence with or without pay.

 

1204.15Seniority shall continue to accrue to those employees on leave of absence with pay.

 

1204.16With the exception of military leave, periods of extended leave of absence without pay may not be counted toward service requirements for permanent status, future leaves of absence, retirement eligibility, and step increases, depending on the duration of the leave.

 

1204.17The terms of any negotiated agreement relating to leave of absence shall supersede the provisions of this section.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 27 DCR 4297, 4340 (October 3, 1980); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 46 DCR 808-09 (January 29, 1999).