2008-2009
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK
Introduction
The purpose of this handbook is to provide information that will help with
questions and pave the way for a successful year. Not all district policies and procedures are
included. Those that are have been
summarized. Suggestions for this
handbook are welcome and may be sent to Phillis Stone.
This handbook is neither a contract nor a substitute for the official
district policy manual. It is not the
intent to alter the at-will status of employees in any way. Rather, it is a guide to and a brief
explanation of district policies.
District policies and procedures can change at any time. For more information, employees may refer to
the policy codes that are associated with handbook topics, confer with their
supervisor, or call the appropriate district personnel. Policy manuals are located at each campus in
the principal’s office and are available for employee review during normal
working hours.
Http://www.tasb.org/policy/pol/private/250907/ WISD Board Policy
I. STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
The following standards of conduct shall apply to all employees of the District:
A school district employee shall report to a school administrator any person whom the employee reasonably suspects of using, selling, delivering, possessing, or being under the influence of the following on school property: marijuana or a controlled substance, a dangerous drug, an abusive glue or aerosol paint or volatile chemical or alcoholic beverage.
The District prohibits the unlawful distribution, possession, or use of illicit drugs and alcohol on school premises or as part of any of the District’s activities.
Employees who violate this prohibition shall be subject to disciplinary sanctions. Such sanctions may include referral to drug and alcohol counseling or rehabilitation programs or employee assistance programs, termination from employment with the District, and referral to appropriate law enforcement officials for prosecution.
Compliance with these requirements and prohibitions is mandatory and is a condition of employment.
(This notice complies with notice requirements imposed by the federal Drug-free schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 {0 U.S.C. 3224a and 34 CFR 87.201})
It is illegal to keep any hazardous chemicals including pesticides in the classrooms. Any fines imposed on the district due to violations by an individual will be passed on to that individual.
MANDATORY
THREE-YEAR AHERA REINSPECTION REPORT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISIONS
This notice is furnished as required by 40 Code of Federal regulations 763 Subpart E, Section 763.93(g).
ERI Consulting Engineers, Inc. of
The management plan has also been updated in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act.
Copies of the reinspection report and management plan update are available for inspection at the superintendent’s office during business hours.
Pesticides are periodically used
at
The
It is the policy of Winnsboro ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
It is the policy of Winnsboro ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 403 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact Mrs. Phillis Stone, the Title IX Coordinator and the Section 504 Coordinator, at 207 E. Pine
Street, or call 342-3737.
The Commissioner of Education has created a new rule at 19 TAC 61.1051 that requires employees to be provided with specific information about where to report their concerns, including the current toll-free telephone number of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. (1-800-252-5400) Policy information related to these concerns may be found at FNG (LEGAL), GRA (LEGAL), and GRA (LOCAL). As part of update 73, look for a policy and exhibit at FNG (LOCAL) and FNG (EXHIBIT) to address fully the rule.
Violations should be reported to Mrs. Phillis Stone, Title IX Coordinator.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT POLICY AND PROHIBITION
AGAINST HARRASSMENT
The
Conduct prohibited by this policy includes but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or any other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
1. Submission to the conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a condition of the individual’s employment;
2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for an employment decision affection the harassed employee; or
3. The harassment has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the employee’s work performance or creating an environment, which is intimidating, hostile, or offensive to the employee.
Each employee must exercise his or her own judgment to avoid engaging in conduct that may be perceived by others as harassment. Forms of prohibited conduct include, but are not limited to:
1. Verbal: repeated sexual innuendos, racial or sexual epithets, derogatory slurs, off-color jokes, propositions, threats, or suggestive or insulting sounds;
2. Visual/Non-verbal: derogatory posters, cartoons, or drawings; suggestive objects or pictures; graphic commentaries; leering; or obscene gestures;
3. Physical: unwanted physical contact including touching, interference with an individual’s normal work movement, or assault; and
4. Other: making or threatening reprisals as a result of negative response to harassment.
We are committed to preventing such conduct, to investigating complaints of inappropriate conduct and remedying violations of this policy. Any employee who believes that he/she is or may be subjected to objectionable conduct must report it immediately to his or her supervisor, or to other appropriate administrative officials. Employees should not allow an inappropriate situation to continue by not reporting it, regardless of who is creating that situation. No employee in this District is exempt from reporting misconduct in violation of this policy.
Complaints may be made confidentially, and employee requests for confidentiality will be honored, consistent with applicable legal requirements. In response to every complaint, the District will investigate promptly and thoroughly. Should an investigation disclose a violation of this policy, we will undertake appropriate corrective action designed to rectify the conduct and prevent any recurrence. Under no circumstances will Winnsboro ISD tolerate any retaliation against an individual for making a complaint in good faith under this policy.
Any employee who engages in prohibited conduct is subject to discipline up to and including termination.
Violations should be reported to Mrs. Phillis Stone, Title IX Coordinator.
Employee Acknowledgement:
I have carefully reviewed the Winnsboro ISD policy against sexual harassment and I understand its contents. I agree to abide by this policy and understand that my conduct will be governed by this policy.
Employee Signature Date
(Please return to campus principal or supervisor)
Any trip under the sponsorship of the Winnsboro Schools must be directed, coordinated, regulated and administered by a WISD school official. The responsible school official must remember that:
1. Students that travel with the group shall return with the group unless:
A. The school official meets with the student’s parent(s) during the trip and releases the student to the parent, or
B. The student has verified, prior written permission to return with another mutually agreeable adult (if the school official does not agree to allow the student to be released, then the student shall return with the group).
C. The sponsor may require identification.
2. Students shall have a parent sign a medical release form, and the school official shall have the form in possession while on the school trip.
3. The school official shall have permission from the appropriate principal before going on the trip.
4. The 15-passenger van may NO longer be used to transport students in connection with school activities. Students may be transported in passenger cars or passenger vans designed for fewer than 15 passengers. Current law adds a prohibition on students standing in a passenger van while the van is in motion. It authorizes a fee to be charged for students who live within two miles of school and are not eligible for funding under the transportation allotment.
5. Requests for school vehicles shall be given to the appropriate principal at least 10 working days in advance of the trip.
6. The building principal prior to the request for vehicles must approve all travel.
When the severity of a student’s disciplinary infraction
warrants the use of corporal punishment, the student’s parent shall be called
to the school immediately. If the parent
wishes to administer corporal punishment, he or she may do so and return the
student to class. If the parent does not
wish to administer corporal punishment, the student shall be suspended from
school for up to three days. (This applies to Winnsboro Elementary
campus only)
Board policy contains provisions for the resolution of employee complaints. The Board intends, that whenever feasible, complaints be resolved at the lowest possible administrative level (DGBA LOCAL). Other review processes govern some processes. Local grievances concerning the evaluation process will be presented in accordance with the District’s grievance policy (DGBA)
Each District employee, other than peace officers, and Board
member and each former employee and Board member shall choose whether to allow
public access to District-held information relating to the person’s home
address, telephone number, or social security number, or any other information
that reveals whether the person has family members. Employees and Board member shall state their
choice to the District’s main personnel officer in a signed writing not later
than the 14th day after employment begins, election or appointment
to the Board occurs, or service with the District ends. If an employee or Board member fails to state
his or her choice within 14 days, the information is available to the
public. However, an employee or Board
member may make a written request at any time to the personnel officer to open
or close the information relating to the person’s home address, telephone
number, social security number, or any other information that reveals whether
the person has family members. Gov’t
Code 552.24
WINNSBORO ISD EMPLOYEE
AGREEMENT FOR ACCEPTABLE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
You are being given access to
the District’s electronic communications system(s). Through this system(s), you will be able to
communicate with other schools, colleges, organizations, and people around the
world through the Internet and other electronic information
systems/networks. You will have access
to hundreds of databases, libraries, and computer services all over the world.
With this educational
opportunity comes responsibility, it is important that you read the Winnsboro ISD’s policy, administrative regulations, and agreement
form and ask questions if you need help in understanding them. Inappropriate system use will result in the
loss of the privilege to use this educational and administrative tool.
Please note that the Internet
is a network of many types of communication and information networks. It is possible that you may run across some
material you might find objectionable.
While the district has a technology protection measure in place, it is
not possible to absolutely prevent such access.
It will be your responsibility to follow the rules for appropriate use.
RULES FOR APPROPRIATE USE:
INAPPROPRIATE USES:
CONSEQUENCES FOR INAPPROPRIATE USE
This Employee Agreement must
be reviewed each academic year.
I
understand that my computer use is not private and that the District will
monitor my activity on the computer systems(s).
I have read the District’s electronic communications system policy and
administrative regulations and in consideration for having access to the public
networks, I hereby release the District, its operators, and any institutions
with which they are affiliated from any and all claims and damages of any
nature arising from my use of it, or inability to use, the system(s), including,
without limitation, the type of damages identified in the District’s policy and
administrative regulations.
I
realize that I am responsible for the monitoring of network use by students
under my supervision. I will immediately
report any violations of the Network Access Policy to the campus principal.
Employee
Name (printed):
Signature:
Campus: Date:
All professional employees will report to their assignment at 7:30 or 7:40 am as specified by their building principal and will be dismissed at 3:20 or 3:30 pm respectively. On early dismissal days, all professional employees will remain on duty until they are released by the building principal.
All campuses shall maintain a sign-out sheet for personnel that leave campus during school hours. Before a staff member signs out, they must have specific permission from their campus principal. If you leave campus during your conference period or during the academic day, you will fill out an “absence from duty” form. When 4 hours are accumulated in 1 term, a half-day personal day will be charged to the teacher. See secretary for a form. Conference periods are not free time. They are for the specific purpose of improving student learning.
Early release days for the 2008-2009 school year are: November 26, 2008, December 19, 2008, February 27, 2008, March 5, 2008, and May 28, 2008.
By local policy, every Winnsboro ISD teacher is provided a 30-minute duty-free lunch. Paraprofessional staff members and professional staff members not involved in classroom teaching do not fall under these guidelines, and are at the discretion of their immediate supervisor.
Employees do not park your vehicles in handicapped parking areas unless you have a handicapped exemption (license plates or tag). Do not park on the grass.
Contracts for teaching personnel shall be considered at the regular March Board meeting. Employees should be aware that the deadline for acceptance of the contract shall be stated in the contract and shall be void unless it is signed and returned before that date.
All full-time professional, certified employees who have not been employed in public education for at least five of the eight years prior to initial employment in the District shall serve a three or four year probationary period.
During the probationary period, employees are not subject to the provisions of the Term Contract Nonrenewal Act, and contracts shall be nonrenewed in accordance with the District’s policy relating to nonrenewal during a probationary period. (See DFAA [Legal]-P DFAA [Local]-A and DFAB [Legal}-P)
Notice of intent to terminate a probationary teacher’s contract must be given not later than the 45th day before the last day of instruction required in the contract.
A teacher employed under a term contract may leave the district at the end of the school year without penalty by filing a written resignation with the school board not later than the 45th day before the first day of the following school year. The teacher may also resign at any time mutually agreeable and with the consent of the school board.
All professional employees under contract having 20 years or more of service as a teacher or who are eligible for full retirement with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and submit in writing their resignations prior to April 1 shall be paid $500. Incentive shall be paid to the first ten eligible professional employees per calendar year. (See DFE [Local])
At-will employees having at least 20 years or more of service or who are eligible for full retirement with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and who submit in writing their resignations prior to April 1 shall be paid $250. Incentive shall be paid to the first 5 eligible at-will employees per calendar school year. (See DCD [LOCAL])
An employee shall fulfill the following requirements when leaving the district:
Fill out a termination report
Teachers who have signed a contract for the coming year, but do not plan to fulfill it must present a letter of resignation to the Superintendent. Letters of resignation must be received at least 45 days from the beginning date of next school year.
The district must provide a notice of intent to terminate a probationary teacher’s contract no later than the 45th day before the last day of instruction required in the contract year.
Prior approval must be obtained from the campus principal before any technology equipment (computers, projectors, etc) can be moved or removed from the building.
The campus principals and/or the technology coordinator will maintain a log out sheet for the purpose of inventory.
SICK LEAVE/ PERSONAL LEAVE
Under Senate Bill I, all sick leave accumulated to date will remain as sick leave. Beginning with the school year 1999-2000, all professional employees will earn five days of state personal leave each year that will also be cumulative as sick days or personal days. Please complete Form 8-3.12 Absence From Duty Request/Report when using sick days or personal days. Turn in to Jane Townsend with time sheet.
See DEC (LOCAL)-X
There shall be no deductions in pay or leave time from employee’s salary when the District invites employees to attend special school meetings and workshops. If the employee initiates the request to attend special school meetings and workshops, the District shall enter into an agreement with the employee bearing a portion of the cost and payment for a substitute. The principal may approve brief absences for one or two periods. The employee shall receive regular salary provided a substitute is not needed and other teachers are able and willing to cover the absence.
(See DEC {Legal} and DEC {Local} as follows)
COMP TIME
Compensatory time earned by nonexempt employees may not accumulate beyond a maximum of 60 hours.
Compensatory time shall be used within the duty year in which it is earned. Use of compensatory time is determined by the employee’s supervisor to protect the district’s schedules and activities. (DEA [Local]-A)
MAINTENANCE
AND CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL
Maintenance and custodial employees refer to (DED [Local]-X)
V.
COMPENSATION/ BENEFITS/ TRAVEL
Employees of the District shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while performing duties related to their jobs, when such travel is at the request of the employee’s immediate supervisor and is approved by the Superintendent. Prior approval for all travel must be obtained before any travel expenses are incurred. The travel request for a trip in excess of $100.00 total cost will need to be approved by the Superintendent in advance of any requisition being submitted.
Please be sure he has initialed the travel request form and attach a copy of the form to each requisition associated with the trip. After a trip has been taken, a travel voucher must be submitted for total costs. On day trips, a voucher is needed for reimbursement of mileage or meals. Be sure to complete the meal statement at the bottom. The person who received or is receiving the travel funds or reimbursement must sign the voucher.
To receive reimbursement for day trips, an employee shall present receipts for the actual amounts spent. For overnight travel the hotel and/or parking receipt is needed for documentation, but no meal receipts are necessary. Employees shall be reimbursed in accordance with the schedule established by the Board. Reimbursement will be according to board policy. See (DEE [Local]-X)
No advance payment will
be made except for overnight travel.
Full documentation must be given for all other travel.
PAY DATES
The
INSURANCE
CAFETERIA PLAN
A cafeteria plan to lower IRS reductions is available through the school. If you are interested in such a plan, contact Mrs. Jane Townsend at the central office for information.
DIRECT DEPOSIT
Employees who wish to have their pay electronically deposited into their bank account should see Mrs. Townsend to complete the necessary paperwork.
ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Employees should contact Mrs. Townsend to enroll in
any insurance plan. She will provide
information on filing claims and the cost of any insurance.
INSURANCE SUPPLEMENT
For the 2008 - 2009 school year,
the
Insurance information may change after September
1.
LOCAL SUPPLEMENT
The following supplements are approved for certified professional personnel:
2 yrs college/
Associates Degree - $775
Bachelor’s degree - $1550
Master’s degree - $2050
Social security and/or teacher retirement benefits were not designed to provide a retiree’s full retirement income. Therefore, employees are encouraged to set up tax-sheltered annuities as a supplement to their retirement income. A 403(b) Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that allows employees of public schools to set aside a portion of their pay on a pre-tax basis. In addition, earnings in a 403(b) plan are free from taxation until a participant withdraws the money.
There are restrictions on your ability to access the funds invested in the tax-sheltered annuity and earnings generated before you turn 59 ½. Where withdrawals prior to age 59½ are allowed, they may be subject to tax penalties, except for special circumstances. Many plans do, however, include provisions where you can borrow against your monies. Also, there is a limit to the amount of money you may contribute each year to your 403(b) account. These limits, however, may be liberal compared to those of other retirement programs.
The District may enter into a salary reduction agreement with an employee only if the qualified investment product is an eligible qualified investment. Art 6228a-5, Sec. 5, V.A.T.S.
“Eligible qualified investment” means a qualified investment product offered by a company that:
See CRG (Legal)
This is to inform you that Winnsboro Independent School District is a tax-exempt employer, eligible under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to maintain a 403(b) Plan on behalf of eligible employees. District employees are eligible to participate if they perform services directly or indirectly for the District. Administrative employees, non-academic staff (e. g., a custodial employee) and faculty are eligible to participate in the Plan.
It is the current policy of
Please contact Jane Townsend or Mary Ann Lanier at central office (903) 342-3737 should you desire more information regarding 403(b) plans.
Winnsboro ISD
Cash Controls and Procedures
Dual control (the verification
of cash by two individuals) will be the standard procedure for Winnsboro ISD’s cash controls. No cash or checks will be left
unattended or in an unsafe area. All monies must be deposited daily or held in
a secure, locked safe until a deposit can be made.
Gate Keepers will receive
start-up cash and a gate receipt form for each event from the Athletic Director
or the school secretary. Cash is to be verified at that time.
At the end of the event, the
gatekeeper should count cash immediately and one other school employee and gate
receipt form completed and signed by both individuals. In the event that the
cash cannot be verified at that time, all funds including start-up should be
placed in a locked bag and dropped into the night deposit of the depository
bank until next day or locked in the office safe. No cash will be taken home by an individual
employee or left in an unattended, unsafe area. The locked bag will be
retrieved, opened and counted by the Athletic Director and one other employee
at the same time with both employees signing the gate receipt form.
All sponsors of activity
accounts will use a numbered, duplicate receipt book. A receipt will be issued for all transactions
involving cash. The original numbered receipt will be given to the student
immediately upon receiving cash and the duplicate receipt will be turned in
with the deposit to the campus secretary. Numbered, duplicate receipts will be
verified for each sub-activity account and any voided account. The campus secretary will verify receipts for
each sub-activity account and any voided or missing receipt accounted for.
No cash or checks will be
held overnight in an unattended, unsafe area. If the sponsor is unable to
complete the deposit transaction that same day, the cash and/or checks will be
taken to the secretary and locked in the campus safe overnight. All deposits
will be totaled by the sponsor, verified by the campus secretary and initialed
by both before depositing.
No less than quarterly, each
sponsor will receive an accounting of the balance in each sub-activity account.
Food Service Cash Fund
Each day the start up money
will be verified before opening the cash drawers. At the end of the day all
monies will be counted and balanced to the day’s receipts report from System
Designs. Any outages will be researched and corrected. Reports and monies will
be verified by the campus food service manager before depositing. All deposits
will be signed/initialed by two employees. The day’s receipts report and
duplicate deposit slip will be sent to the Food Service director for
reconciliation with daily, weekly and monthly reports. The Business Manager
will verify at the end of each month that deposited receipts match reported
revenue.
Petty Cash Drawers
Each campus will have petty
cash in order to expedite unexpected and/or small monetary transactions. The
campus secretary and campus administrators will be responsible for the
safekeeping of petty cash and the record keeping required to monitor its use.
Weekly, the secretary will submit a properly coded requisition for all
expenditures with receipts attached. A check will then be issued to replace the
petty cash funds. The campus secretary will reconcile petty cash each time
funds are replaced. A reconciliation report of petty cash along with
requisition copies and check stubs will be verified by the campus administrator
and submitted to the Business Manager at the end of each month.
PHYSICAL SCIENCE LAB SAFETY RULES
INTRODUCTION/ OVERVIEW
On the job accident prevention is the responsibility of the entire district ‘s employees. It is the further responsibility of each employee to correct or report any unsafe condition or practice, which he or she may observe.
The following are some important general physical science personnel safety rules that each employee is required to follow:
PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
SAFETY RULES
On the job accident prevention is the responsibility of all the district’s employees. It is the further responsibility of each employee to correct or report any unsafe condition or practice, which he or she may observe.
The following are some important general professional and administrative staff safety rules that each employee is required to follow”
1. Furniture, desks, chairs, file cabinets, etc., should be kept in safe condition and positioned so drawers do not open into walkways or halls.
2. Desk and file cabinet drawers should not be left open.
3. File cabinet drawers should be opened one at a time, and lower drawers should hold the heaviest load.
4. Furniture should not be used as stools or ladders.
5. Walkways, aisles, halls, and stairways should be kept clear of obstructions.
6. Do not attempt to move heavy objects; get help from maintenance or custodial personnel.
7. Office machines should be double insulated or grounded with ground wires or three-prong plugs.
8. Do not attempt to make any electrical repairs on equipment or electrical cords.
9. Electrical extension cords should be three-wire, ground type. Ensure they are not placed where they may cause a tripping hazard.
10. Store supplies in an orderly fashion. Heavier items should be stored waist high. Light items can be stored in approved Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets
11. Room doors that open into hallways should be opened slowly.
12. Duplicating machines that use ammonia, methanol, or other toxic liquids should be ventilated.
13. Personnel operating office equipment should be trained before operating equipment.
14. Employees should be trained in how to use portable fire extinguishers and should be familiar with building evacuation procedures. (See fire controls and emergency preparedness and evacuation plan.)
Employee
Acknowledgement:
I have carefully reviewed the Winnsboro ISD Employee Handbook. I understand its contents, and I agree to abide by the policies and procedures contained in this handbook.
Employee Signature Date
(Please return to campus principal or supervisor)