The Board of Education believes that a professional staff member who suffers a physical disability as a result of an assault which occurs in the course of employment in the District and which is clearly unprovoked shall be maintained on full pay during the resulting absence from assigned duties; and, such leave shall not be charged to the sick leave entitlement of the professional staff member.

In order to be entitled to assault leave, a professional staff member shall complete a signed report on forms approved by the District and submit to the principal within one (1) work day of the alleged assault.

If medical attention is required, submit a certificate from a licensed physician stating the nature of the disability and its probable duration.

Upon receipt of these documents, the Superintendent shall review the materials and decide within two (2) work days whether to grant the request. The Superintendent may conduct such investigations and interviews as s/he deems necessary to verify the authenticity and severity of the assault. Each request approved by the Superintendent shall be reported to the Board at its next meeting.

Requests denied by the Superintendent may be appealed to the Board or a committee thereof within ten (10) work days of the denial. The Board shall decide within ten (10) work days of receipt of the appeal whether or not to concur in the decision of the Superintendent.

The decision of the Board shall be final.

Payment for assault leave shall be at the professional staff member's rate of pay in effect at the time of the assault or at such increased rate for which the professional staff member may become eligible. Salary hereunder shall be mitigated by any salary compensation the professional staff member may receive from any other source.

A professional staff member who falsifies a claim for assault leave shall be disciplined by suspension or termination of employment. The Superintendent may require a physician's statement justifying the continuation of the assault leave at any time during the leave.

In accordance with R.C. 3319.143, the Superintendent shall file a copy of this policy and accompanying guidelines with the State Board of Education.

R.C. 3319.143