Liberty Hill ISD

1. Liberty Hill ISD Staff In-service August 2009

2. 2009-2010 Employee Handbook • Purpose of the Handbook • Printed copies are available in campus offices, libraries, and transportation and maintenance facilities • The handbook is available online at:www.libertyhill.txed.net • The policy manual is available at:www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/246908 Page 1

3. Mission Statement • The Mission of Liberty Hill Independent School District is to develop successful, contributing, responsible citizens. • Motto: Educating for the Future, One Student at a Time • District Goals Page 2

4. Board of Trustees • Place I: Joe "Scooter" Lenox • Place II: Clay Cole, Vice President • Place III: David Nix, Secretary • Place IV: Leslye Pogue • Place V: Alfie Perrin • Place VI: Shawn Roberts • Place VII: Tony Stephens, President Page 3

5. Employment Practices • Equal employment opportunity • Job announcements • Contract Employees • Probationary Contracts • Term Contracts • Paraprofessional and Auxiliary Employees Page 5

6. Drug Testing and Searches • Searches • Non-investigatory searches • Work related misconduct • Alcohol and Drug Testing • Employees with a commercial drivers license Page 6

7. Health Safety Training • Required for coaches, band directors, chief UIL sponsors, cheerleading sponsors, and Life Skills and Job Skills teachers and aides. • Updates required every two years after first CPR class (if expires without update, take full course) • Send copy of new card to nurse/trainer • TBSI and SAMA • Required of all Special Education staff members • Yearly updates required Page 6

8. Reassignment and Transfers • All personnel are subject to assignment and reassignment by the superintendent. • Reassignment is a transfer to another position, department, or facility that does not necessitate a change in the employment contract. Page 6-7

9. Workload and Schedules • Classroom Teachers • Planning time • Duty-free lunch • Aides and Auxiliary Personnel • Not exempt from overtime • Overtime/Comp time • Anything above 40 hours per week • Prior approval is necessary • Can accumulate no more than 40 hours Page 7

10. Performance Evaluation • Formal observation • Walk throughs • Yearly conference Page 8

11. TEKS, TAKS, Curriculum, Benchmarks • Based on TEKS • Benchmark Assessments • AEIS-IT software for state and local assessment disaggregation • CSCOPE focus 2009-2010: science & ELA Page 8

12. Fund Raising Activities • Principal approval is required on all fundraisers • Plans for major fundraisers are due September 15th • All fundraisers for all groups must have prior approval • Forms are in the Activity Fund Handbook Page 9

13. Staff Development • Needs driven • Certificate renewal • Record of staff development • State Board for Educator Certification www.sbec.state.tx.us • Turning in copies of certificates for personnel file • Update contact info regularly on SBEC website Page 10

14. Staff Development • Gifted and Talented: all teachers are required to attend a 30-hour GT Institute and follow up with 6-hour updates each year • LHISD GT Institute will be in June • On-line training is also available • ESL: all teachers are required to obtain ESL certification by attending an ESL Academy and passing the ESL TExES exam • Both GT and ESL requirements must be fulfilled two years from the date of hire • LHISD will pay workshop fees and will reimburse ESL exam fees upon receipt of passing scores Page 10

15. Staff Development • Technology requirements • All teachers will meet the SBEC Technology Applications Standards that are state-required for all beginning educators • The LHISD Technology Applications Standards for Educators is being created and implemented during this school year • All educators are expected to create a personal learning plan, attend training, and demonstrate proficiency of the basic and intermediate standards by August 2010 or within two years of the date of hire. • Instructional technologists will assist with training needs • Proficiency may be demonstrated without putting in “seat time” hours for professional development Page 10

16. Staff Development • For 2009-2010 • NEW! PD360, an on-line, on-demand professional learning resource is available • No overnight travel for staff development: attend activities within the Region 13 service area or within a day’s drive • Event registration and a school vehicle may be requested • Lodging and meals will not be paid • If the activity is funded by a grant, lodging and meals might be paid • The Admin Team will consider exceptions that involve program certification • Policy will be review in spring 2010 Page 10

17. CompensationandBenefits

18. Paychecks • Direct deposit only • “Advice of Deposit” • Payday is the 28th of each month • Payroll deductions • Overtime compensation • Only hourly employees with prior approval • Accumulate no more than 40 hours Page 12

19. Stipends and Travel • UIL, Grade-level, Department Heads, Coordinators • Stipends for fall UIL meets in December paycheck • Other stipends less than $1000 in June paycheck • Stipends $1000 or more included in salary • Travel expense reimbursement • Overnight travel allowed on a very limited basis • $85 per night lodging • Actual cost of meals (reimbursed with receipts) • Mileage ($.50/mi): Only if a school vehicle is unavailable • No meals or travel will be paid for workshops within the Region XIII service area Page 13

20. Health Insurance • District contribution: $250/mo. • Supplemental Insurance • Cafeteria Plan • Worker’s Compensation • Injury must be reported immediately Page 14

21. Teacher Retirement • If considering retirement, please contact Barb Shifrin and TRS as soon as possible • For employees hired before Aug. 1, 2009 • $50/day for unused sick leave for employees who have been with the district at least three consecutive years • Employees who begin work after Aug. 1, 2009 are not eligible Page 15

22. Optional Benefits • Cafeteria Plans • Tax sheltered annuities • Professional dues payroll deduction • Savings accounts (A+ Credit Union, Austin TELCO, and State Bank) • Other insurance Page 14-15

23. LeavesandAbsences

24. Leave Days • State Leave – 5 days, Local Leave – 5 days • Non-Discretionary • Personal or family illness, emergency, death of a family member, or active military service • Discretionary (Schedule 3 days in advance) • No more than 3 consecutive work days • Not immediately before or after a holiday • Exceptions for professional personnel require superintendent’s approval Page 16

25. Other Leave • Temporary Disability • Workers’ Compensation, if applicable • Family and Medical Leave • 12 weeks • Runs concurrently with local, state, and temporary disability leave • Assault Leave • Up to 2 years • Available only to a victim of an assault that is punishable as a felony Page 17-18

26. Other Leave • Extended Sick Leave • 20-day safety net at reduced pay • Can be used only for an employee’s own catastrophic illness • Not available for use with a normal pregnancy and delivery • Jury Duty • Court Appearances • If related to personal business, use personal leave days • If subpoened, not required to use personal leave days • Military Leave Page 19

27. Employee RelationsandCommunications

28. District Communication • News releases • Employees should contact their campus principal to have events and information included in newsletters, newspapers, and/or on the website. Page 20

29. ComplaintsandGrievances

30. Filing Complaints • Goal: to hear and resolve complaints in a timely manner at the lowest level possible. • Level 1: Principal/Supervisor • Level 2: Superintendent/Designee • Level 3: Board of Trustees Page 21

31. Employee Conduct and Welfare

32. Code of Ethics • Standard Practices for Texas Educators • Professional Ethical Conduct, Practices, and Performance • Ethical Conduct toward Professional Colleagues • Ethical Conduct toward Students Page 22-23

33. Harassment • Employee to Employee • Employee to Student Page 23-24

34. Drug and Alcohol Prevention • LifeSteps: Williamson County Councilon Alcohol and Drug Abuse • (512) 869-2571 • The District prohibits the unlawful distribution, possession, or use of illegal drugs, inhalants, and alcohol on school premises or as part of any of the District’s activities. Page 24-25

35. Suspected Child Abuse • Reporting • CPS or Texas Abuse Hotline • 1-800-252-5400 • Website: https://reportabuse.ws • Login: Professional • Password: report1 • Individual’s responsibility to report and must inform the principal and superintendent when a report is filed Page 25

36. Fraud and financial impropriety • Forgery • Misappropriation or improper handling of funds • Profiteering • Disclosure of confidential information • Disclosure of investment activities and conflicts of interest • Destroying, removing, or inappropriately using records or equipment Page 25-26

37. Gifts and Favors • Employees may not accept gifts or favors that could influence, or be construed to influence, the employee’s discharge of assigned duties Page 26

38. Political Activities or Associations • The district will not directly or indirectly discourage employees from participating in political affairs or require any employee to join any group, club, committee, organization, or association. Employees may join or refuse to join any professional association or organization. Page 26

39. Safety • Observe safety rules • Keep areas clean and orderly • Immediately report all accidents • Operate only equipment or machines for which you are trained Page 27

40. Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, Firearms, and other Weapons • Prohibited by law on all district owned property, at school functions, or inside a school vehicle Page 26

41. Criminal Background Check • All staff through DPS • Fingerprinting • Auxiliary staff hired after Jan. 1, 2008 • All certified staff, including aides, and substitute teachers Page 27

42. Employee Arrests and Conviction Must notify supervisor within three calendar days of any arrest, indictment, conviction, no contest or guilty pleas, or other adjudication of any felony or any offense involving moral turpitude. • Dishonesty • Drug or alcohol-related offenses • Fraud • Acts of abuse under Texas Family Code • Theft • Base, vile or depraved acts • Deliberate violence Page 27

43. Visitors in the workplace • Enter through main entrance and report to campus office • All campuses will be using the Raptor check-in program • Individuals on campus without an appropriate badge must be escorted to the campus office Page 27

44. Computer Use • Email and Internet Use – not confidential, may be monitored • Acceptable Use Policy • Required before you receive an account • Must be renewed yearly • New requirements regarding educating minors about appropriate online behavior Page 28

45. Employee Safety • Asbestos Management Plan • No asbestos in district facilities • Hazardous Materials • Pesticide Application Page 28

46. GeneralProcedures

47. Bad Weather and Emergencies • When it becomes necessary to open late, to release students early, or cancel classes, school officials will notify Flash News • Flash News immediately notifies all radio and television stations • District website: posted when possible • Phone chains will be activated • Know evacuation routes and location of fire extinguishers Page 29

48. Purchasing Procedures • MUST have a signed PO for ALL purchases • The district will not reimburse employees or assume responsibility for purchases made without authorization • With a signed PO, HEB and WalMart credit cards may be checked out from the business office. The cards must be returned the next day • Under no circumstances can a card be passed on to another staff member Page 29

49. Change of Address • You must notify your immediate supervisor, the superintendent’s secretary, andthe business office of any change in name, address, or phone number. Page 29

50. Personnel Records • Public Access • Required Records • Official college transcript • TX teacher certificate • Original service record • If applicable: college deficiency plan or proof of enrollment in an alternative certification program • Medical information sheet Page 29