The Board of Education recognizes the importance to the instructional program of continuous staff development in job competencies and the desirability for staff to share their knowledge and leadership with other educators. Therefore, the Board encourages employees to attend conferences and to represent the District at appropriate, recognized local, State, regional, and national meetings that are designed to provide leadership and growth in areas related to the individual's responsibilities. Personnel may be requested to attend meetings to represent the District.

The Board expects staff to participate in appropriate local organizations before it will grant approval for State or national meetings. Where appropriate, personnel attending meetings should be members of the sponsoring organization.

Approval for professional absences shall rest with the Superintendent or designee through the employee's supervisor. Written requests with an estimate of expenses shall be submitted to the Superintendent through the supervisor at least one (1) month in advance when practicable and according to the established procedure.

The employee may be approved to attend with reimbursement for full or partial expenses and with no loss of pay, or it is possible the employee may be approved to attend with no reimbursement of expenses with no loss of pay.

When reimbursement of expenses is approved, the Board will pay all actual, reasonable expenses directly incurred in attending the approved meeting when the request for reimbursement is submitted in accordance with the established procedure.

The Board will reimburse expenses such as meals, refreshments, admissions, registrations, parking, or other incidental items incurred by the Superintendent or other exempt employees directly relating to their duties in the overall operation or general administration of the School District that are normally not covered by a professional leave request when such expenses are authorized by the Superintendent.

O.R.C. 3313.20

November, 1995