Perry Local School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

3243 - PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

The Board of Education requires that all employees be provided opportunities for the development of increased competence beyond that which they may attain through the performance of their assigned duties through attendance at professional meetings.

For purposes of this policy, a professional meeting shall be defined as any meeting that is related to the activities, duties or responsibilities of Board employees as determined by the Superintendent and a meeting through which direct value can be derived for the person in attendance for later use in the performance of District duties.

The Superintendent has the authority, when s/he considers the meeting to be of sufficient importance, to request representation from the staff to attend a meeting.

The professional meeting to be attended must be related to the work of the employee. All out-of-State professional meetings requests require the staff member to be an active member of the organization sponsoring the meeting.

The employee shall file with the Superintendent a report on the activities of the conference, with recommendations, if any, for use by employees and the District schools.

The Board will provide for substitute personnel in the case of meeting attendance by classroom teachers.

A professional staff member may request permission to attend and/or participate in a meeting or convention where the member's particular expertise or contribution is pertinent to the fostering of education's civic or public commitment.

All personnel requesting to attend a professional meeting at personal expense or Board expense must make a request on the proper form for attendance to workshops, conventions, meetings and clinics when they are held during school time and/or when expense money is involved. Such requests shall be given to the employee's immediate superior who will review it to determine if it meets Board policy before s/he submits it to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will submit the request to the Board for final action. Official printed information from the organization sponsoring the meeting must accompany the request if expenses are to be paid by the Board.

Deadline for Request

Such request must be in the Superintendent's Office no later than the Wednesday before the regular Board meeting which is held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Building Representation

It shall be the practice of the Board to send representatives from different buildings, rather than more than one from the same building, to a professional meeting. This will give a greater dispersal of the information gained from the meeting and thus be of greater benefit to the whole District.

Registration Fee

The registration fee should be documented with printed information from the organization conducting the meeting or a receipt.

Travel

The Board does pay a mileage rate. However, if more than one employee attends the same professional meeting, the Board will pay for only one car making the trip; individuals going to the same meeting are encouraged to travel together. If charter arrangements are available, employees are encouraged to take advantage of them. Receipts need to be submitted for all travel expenses, including meals. In any case, the Board will pay for charter arrangements or according to the mileage rate, whichever is the lesser. Receipts need to be submitted for all travel expenses, including meals.

Exceptions

Exceptions to these rules will be made at the discretion of the Board of Education.

R.C. 3313.20