III. I. Professional Growth

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It is desirable that all instructional personnel their professional competence through in-service growth. The West Warwick School Committee, recognizing the value of participation in professional activities encourages the development of and participation in in-service training programs recommended by the superintendent.

The school committee has delegated to the superintendent authority to grant permission for instructional employees to be temporarily absent from their regular duty and place of employment for the purpose of performing other educational services such as participation in school surveys, professional meetings, study courses or workshops..; Services performed during such absences shall be considered equal to the assigned duties of the individual and teachers or administrators performing such assigned temporary duty shall not be considered to be on leave.

References

Article 15, Sick Leave and Leave of Absence, Sections O, S, and U -- Contract between West Warwick School Committee and West Warwick Teachers' Alliance Local #1017 AFT, AFL-CIO effective September 1, 1979 through August 31, 1982

Policy adopted: 4/23/81

Professional Leaves

The West Warwick School Committee, although mindful of the need to have its administrators on site and task during the students' school day, recognizes the need for administrators to attend meetings, conferences, and conventions of a professional nature during the school year. The School Committee, therefore, provides the following guidelines for such professional leave:

1. All such leaves shall have advance approval of the Superintendent of Schools.

2. Requests for such leaves, which extend beyond one (1) school day or an administrator's request which exceeds a total of five (5) days for a given school year, shall have advance approval of the School Committee.

3. The Superintendent of Schools may designate individual administrators to attend such professional meetings, events, and/or conferences as should occur which are directly related to the welfare of the West Warwick School System. Such designated professional leave shall not contribute to the limit of five (5) in section 2.

4. The individual administrator who is granted professional leave shall make necessary provisions acceptable to the Superintendent of Schools to maintain an acceptable level of normalcy in the educational program for which he or she is responsible.

5. The Superintendent of Schools shall maintain an annual file on individual administrator's professional leaves which shall be reported to the School Committee on an annual basis.

References

RI Gen. Laws § 16-2-11 General Powers and Duties of Superintendents

See also, Professional Leaves - Archive

Policy Adopted: April 23, 1984

Policy Revised: February 3, 1986


Professional Organizations

There are numerous professional organizations serving teachers. Many of these groups go about with little publicity to do an effective job in helping the professional teacher better equip himself or herself for his or her position. Some are better known and do more work to advance teaching as a profession and to improve the lot of the teacher. The work that these organizations accomplish is primarily the result of the time, effort and financial support rendered by members of our ranks.

No employee shall be compelled to join any group. The West Warwick School Committee recognizes the contributions that these organizations make and encourage membership and teacher participation in them. It is felt that a teacher enhances his or her professional status through his or her affiliation with these groups.

Policy adopted: 4/23/81