10.0 Career Development and Training

To ensure the District has a public workforce that is educated, trained and prepared to provide quality services to its community, the District and Union support educational and training opportunities for classified staff.

10.1 Training Provisions

Training shall be conducted both during and after working hours. Job-related workshops shall not be limited to those offered by the District.

10.1.1 All in-service workshops shall be publicized at all sites employing classified staff.

10.1.2 The District will equitably compensate unit members who act as instructors consistent with pay for members of other bargaining units, including possible payment or paid time for preparation, if necessary.

10.1.3 Upon satisfactory completion of the in-service, employees shall be issued a Certificate of Completion.

10.1.4 Job-related technology training will be conducted during paid time in an appropriate setting conducive to concentration and learning.

10.1.5 Training may be conducted by qualified and experienced unit members as available.

10.2 Training for Library Technical Assistants

The District and appropriate instructional and Library staff shall meet, design and implement a series of in-service courses in skills appropriate to the Library Technical Assistant classification, and leading to a Certificate of Completion.

10.3 Job-Related Workshops

10.3.1. Upon prior written approval of the Department head or Unit head (or designee), an employee may participate in job-related workshops offered by the District or outside agencies during their regular work day. The employee’s request to attend such workshops must include information regarding tuition, if any. Tuition for these pre-approved workshops will be paid for by the District.

10.3.2 When directed by a supervisor, an employee shall attend a workshop or training during their regular workday or may attend a workshop or training after business hours on paid time. Pay or compensatory time shall be taken in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and other applicable regulations. Tuition for these workshops will be paid for by the District.

10.3.3 Upon prior written approval of a supervisor, an employee may attend a job-related conference during paid time.

10.4 Professional Development/In-service Training

The District may provide a total of up to twenty-four (24) paid hours of professional development or in-service training for each bargaining unit member over the course of each school year, which shall include both in-person and on-line professional development, on a unit basis.

The scheduling of the hours in each unit will occur in consultation with the unit Supervisor in order to avoid disruption of District operations. Attendance at scheduled sessions shall be mandatory for all bargaining unit members. Chapter Officers, as identified by the Union, shall have the right to attend and address unit members during all in-person sessions for up to 30 minutes immediately following the lunch break.

The content of these sessions for all employees shall be developed in consultation with the Union. These sessions may include but not be limited to the following:

• State & Federal Menu Planning Requirements
• Civil Service Rules
• Contract Process (with Vendors, Contractors, etc.)
• Disposal of Hazardous Substances
• Mandated Sexual Harassment Training
• Menu Development
• New Protocols to Ensure Health and Safety
• Payroll and Payment Systems
• Procurement and Purchasing Processes
• Proper Use of Cleaning Products
• Reviewing Board of Education Policies (and where to find them)
• Sanitizing Food Preparation/Food Serving Areas
• Student Attendance – Recording and Procedures
• Team Building

10.5 Emergency Preparedness Training

All bargaining unit members shall undergo training in emergency preparedness (including the District’s Disaster Policy and Procedures – i.e., earthquakes, fires, blackouts, pandemics, etc.) – in order that they will be able to respond as Disaster Service Workers (DSW) when the need arises.

10.5.1 The District representative responsible for safety training will meet with the Union and appropriate district staff to discuss an emergency preparedness training plan which addresses all unit members.

10.6 Professional Growth/Tuition Reimbursement Plan

The District shall establish a pool of $20,000 a year for the purpose of reimbursing qualified tuition costs to bargaining unit members. Classes to be reimbursed shall be approved in advance by the District’s Department of Human Resources. Each member shall be eligible for no more than $2,000 per year of reimbursement as described herein upon verification of completion of classes (e.g. transcripts or sufficient written/electronic proof).

10.6.1 Eligible Employees

Any employee who works at least 15 hours per week with a minimum of one (1) year continuous service in any classification represented by the Union immediately prior to receipt of application is eligible for tuition reimbursement.

10.6.2 Eligible Expenses

Until such funds are exhausted, and subject to approval by the Department or Unit head (or appropriate designee), an eligible employee may utilize up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year for tuition, registration fees, books, professional conferences, professional association memberships, professional journal subscriptions, professional certifications, and licenses relevant to the employee’s current classification upon verification of completion of classes (e.g. transcripts or sufficient written/ electronic proof). All expenses must be relevant to the employee’s current classification or a classification to which the employee might reasonably expect to be promoted. No reimbursement shall be made for expenses that are eligible for reimbursement under a Federal or State Veterans benefit program.

10.6.3 Each fiscal year, the District shall provide the Union with a year-end summary of those employees who received reimbursement for a qualified class with cost breakdown per class/per employee.

10.7 Certification Renewal

Employees shall be granted time off, without loss of pay, to complete required, mandatory certification renewals necessary for continued District employment in their classification. Training conducted by the district for mandatory certifications will be provided during the employees’ paid time.

At this time, the following bargaining classifications are impacted by this provision: 7218, 1930, 2615, 2616, 2630, 2634, 2656, 2672, 2674, and 3616. When additional classifications are added to the bargaining unit, they will be included in this if applicable.

10.8 City University

The District will participate in the City University program and work with the Union to identify courses that shall provide additional opportunities for career development and services improvement within the District.