E L K R I V E R A R E A S C H O O L D I S T R I C T AGREEMENT EDUCATION MINNESOTA NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS

Transcription

1 E L K R I V E R A R E A S C H O O L D I S T R I C T JULY 1, 2015 TO JUNE 30, 2017 MASTER AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 728 AND ELK RIVER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION EDUCATION MINNESOTA NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS Our mission is to educate, inspire & empower our diverse learners, To shape their futures, to accomplish their dreams and to contribute positively to our local and global communities.

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3 MASTER AGREEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE PAGE 1. Purpose 2 2. Recognition of Exclusive Representative 2 3. Definitions 2 4. School District Rights 4 5. Teacher Rights 4 6. Preparation Time, Double Parent Conferences, Extended School Year Teaching and Online & Blended Instruction 4 7. Salaries 6 8. Leaves of Absence Contracts Discipline Personnel Files Investigation Mileage/Travel Energy Crisis Conflict Provisions Group Insurance Tax Deferred Annuities Grievance Procedure School Calendar Period of Employment Site Based Decision Making Appointment of Teacher to School District Committees Early Childhood Family Education Program Transfer Publication of Contract Duration Open Negotiation by Mutual Agreement Provisions Held Invalid Performance of Duties Strike Settlement Agreement 68 Appendix A Pay Dates 69 Appendix B Salary Schedule 70 Appendix C Salary Schedule 70 Appendix D Activities Cluster Pay Schedule 71 Appendix E Activities Cluster Schedule 72 Appendix F Hourly Academic Wages 73 Appendix G Multiple School Building Compensation 75 Appendix H Grievance Report Form 76 Appendix I Calendar 78 Appendix J Calendar 80 Appendix K Memorandums of Understanding 82 Master Agreement Index

4 ARTICLE 1: PURPOSE 1.1 AGREEMENT This Agreement is entered into between Independent School District 728, Elk River, Minnesota (hereinafter referred to as the School District ) and the Elk River Education Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association ) pursuant to and in compliance with the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (hereinafter referred to as PELRA, as amended ) to provide the terms and conditions of employment for teachers during the term of this Agreement. 1.2 DISCRIMINATION The provisions of policies shall be applied without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, or place of residence. ARTICLE 2: RECOGNITION OF EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE 2.1 RECOGNITION In accordance with the PELRA, as amended, the School District recognizes the Association as the exclusive representative of teachers employed by the School District. The Association, as exclusive representative, shall have those rights and duties as prescribed by the PELRA, as amended, and as described in the provisions of this Agreement. 2.2 APPROPRIATE UNIT The Association shall represent all the teachers of the School District as defined in this Agreement and in the PELRA, as amended. ARTICLE 3: DEFINITIONS 3.1 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT "Terms and conditions of employment" means the hours of employment, the compensation therefore (including fringe benefits, except retirement contributions or benefits), and the School District s personnel policies affecting the working conditions of teachers. In the case of professional employees, the term does not mean the educational policies of the School District. The terms in both cases are subject to the provisions of Section 179A.07 of the PELRA, as amended, regarding the rights of public employers and the scope of negotiations. 3.2 TEACHER The term "teacher" shall mean any public employee other than a superintendent or assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or a supervisory or confidential employee, employed by the School District in a position for which the person must be - 2 -

5 licensed by the Board of Teaching or the commissioner of education; or in a position as a physical therapist or an occupational therapist. 3.3 EMPLOYMENT STATUS 3.4 DAYS Full-Time Employment Status A full-time teacher shall mean any teacher who is contracted for a minimum of one hundred (100) consecutive duty days with any assignment equal to 1.0 fulltime equivalency (FTE) Part-Time Employment Status A part-time teacher shall mean any teacher who is contracted for a minimum of one hundred (100) consecutive duty days with any assignment less than 1.0 fulltime equivalency (FTE) Teachers Hired for less than One-Hundred (100) Days Teachers hired for less than one-hundred (100) contract days, who are not acting incumbents, and employed hours or more per day, shall receive all fringe benefits as provided in this Agreement on a prorated basis Other Provisions Teachers who are eligible to receive benefits and are granted a leave of absence or released from an individual teaching contract prior to working one hundred (100) consecutive days in a school year will not forfeit benefits already earned, but additional benefits will not be earned A continuing contract teacher returning to work during a school year from an approved leave of absence will be eligible for pro-rated benefits upon their return, regardless of the number of days the teacher will work in the School District during the school year. Insurance carrier requirements and state statutes and regulations and federal laws will govern insurance coverage eligibility It is not the intent of this language to change benefits already existing in this Agreement. Unless otherwise noted in this Agreement, "days" shall be defined as all calendar days when the School District Office has normal business hours. Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays are excluded

6 3.5 OTHER TERMS Terms not defined in this Agreement shall have those meanings as defined by the PELRA, as amended. ARTICLE 4: SCHOOL DISTRICT RIGHTS The Association recognizes the management rights of the School District as set forth in the PELRA, as amended, and other state statutes and regulations and federal laws and regulations. ARTICLE 5: TEACHER RIGHTS It is recognized that teachers have all rights as set forth in the PELRA, as amended, and other rights as established by state statutes and regulations and federal laws and regulations. ARTICLE 6: PREPARATION TIME, DOUBLE PARENT CONFERENCES, EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR TEACHING AND ONLINE & BLENDED INSTRUCTION 6.1 PREPARATION TIME Elementary The School District will provide elementary teachers with sixty (60) minutes of preparation time daily during the student day. Preparation time may be provided in two (2), thirty (30) minute blocks of time. Any exceptions may be addressed by Section Administrators at the school site will determine how to schedule the preparation time Secondary Within the student day, for every twenty-five (25) minutes of classroom instructional time, a minimum of five (5) additional minutes of preparation time shall be provided to each teacher. Preparation time shall be provided in one (1) or two (2) uninterrupted blocks during the student day Exceptions Exceptions to Section and may be made by mutual agreement between the School District and the Association or pursuant to Article Use of Preparation Time Preparation time shall be used by teachers to prepare for assigned classes, conduct conferences with parents, students and other faculty members (including administrators), obtain instructional materials and perform other related tasks

7 Classroom teachers may leave the school premises to carry out this function only when permission has been obtained from the principal or his/her designee. 6.2 DOUBLE PARENT CONFERENCES Some teachers who are assigned to more than one (1) building are required to "double conference. In this event, the teacher will receive the same benefit for conferencing as others in his/her home building and Compensation Leave credit for the additional "double conference" time on an hour for hour basis. This benefit is subject to the accumulation limits stated in Section EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR TEACHING Teachers teaching in mandated summer school programs will receive additional time beyond direct teaching time for the purpose of supervision of students and preparation time based on the following: Center-based A formula of twenty-four (24) minutes per hour per day shall be used for each program Home-based and Tutoring Work Time Twenty-five percent (25%) times the number of hours allowed per child. Teachers teaching in mandated summer school center-based programs shall receive a total of hours (equivalent of 1.5 days) of work time for use prior to or following the extended school year for the purpose of program planning, organizing, room set-up and take-down, and completion of paperwork. 6.4 ONLINE & BLENDED INSTRUCTION The terms and conditions of employment contained in the Master Agreement shall apply to all online teachers. Prior to assigning a teacher to an online or blended teaching assignment, the District will first seek volunteers from the appropriate content area in which the teacher(s) are licensed. The District is not obligated to assign volunteers first, but retains the right to assign any qualified teacher to an online or blended teaching assignment. The FTE calculation for online and blended courses will be the same calculation that is used for regular classroom courses

8 Teachers who accept online or blended teaching assignments that result in their preparation period being outside the regular school day will be compensated according to the rate specified in All training to implement an online or blended course will be provided by the district. If training occurs outside the traditional duty day or designated staff development days, the teacher will be compensated using the Curriculum Writing/Staff Development rate of pay as described in Appendix F. If curriculum and/or materials are developed or modified by a teacher for delivery through an online or blended course, the teacher will be compensated for the additional curriculum writing time performed outside the duty day. MSBA Policy 409 references proprietary rights to instructional materials. Teachers of online or blended courses may have their duty day adjusted to reflect their online responsibilities, as agreed to by the School District, the teacher, and the Association. Adjustments should address the Agreement s expectations for a 7.25-hour duty day, prep time, and duty-free lunch. Such adjustments will be mutually agreed upon, in writing, by the School District and the exclusive representative of the EREA. In the event that an online or blended course has students enrolled in multiple locations (i.e. separate district high schools), the teacher will hold parent-teacher conferences in the building to which he/she is assigned. If a conference with the teacher is desired, it is the parents /guardians responsibility to attend the regularly-scheduled conferences in the building to which the teacher is assigned. All teachers of online and blended courses will be subject to the requirements of the accepted Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE) process. If variations are required, the School District and the exclusive representative of the EREA will establish a process prior to the implementation of the TDE process. The District will have the right to monitor communications as well as information posted online related to the course(s) in accordance with School Board Policy. Such monitoring may be used as part of the teacher evaluation process. ARTICLE 7: SALARIES 7.1 WITHHOLDING SALARY INCREASES The School Board reserves the right to withhold increment advancement, lane changes, or any other salary increase provided that, when appropriate, the teacher is given written warning of such considered action which shall include reasons for consideration of such action and specific recommendations to remedy the condition or situation which causes the consideration of withholding of increment, lane changes, or other salary advancement. If appropriate, the teacher shall be allowed a reasonable length of time to correct the situation or condition. If the situation or condition has not been corrected, the School Board shall have the - 6 -

9 right to withhold any future salary increase for a period of no longer than one (1) contract year if in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Notification to Withhold If the School Board intends to withhold an increment, lane change, or any other salary increase from a teacher, the School Board shall give such teacher written notice to that effect prior to April 1. Upon written request from such teacher the School Board shall, within ten (10) days after receipt of such request, state in writing the reasons for its action. Such statement by the School Board shall indicate that appropriate supervision and consultation was offered Release from Individual Teaching Contract If salary increment, lane change, or any salary increase is withheld, the teacher shall, upon the teacher's request, be released immediately from any or all contractual obligations to the School District providing such request is made within sixty (60) days of the notice to withhold salary increment, lane change, or salary increase. 7.2 EXPERIENCE CREDIT Experience Credit Outside the School District The School District will determine the initial salary schedule placement based on teaching experience. Any exception may be made by mutual agreement with the Association. In order for a teacher to be given credit for a full year of experience for the initial step placement on the salary schedule, a teacher must have worked eight hundred twenty (820) or more hours in a school year for which he or she would be given credit for and the time worked must be in the same school district. Hours that are worked beyond the eight hundred twenty (820) hour minimum in a school year will not count toward an additional step for placement on the salary schedule Experience Credit Inside the School District Fulltime and part-time teachers shall be given one (1) full year's credit on the salary schedule for the next contract year when they have completed eight hundred eighteen (818) hours of teaching during the same school year, or one thousand three hundred nineteen (1319) hours of teaching during two (2) consecutive school years or one thousand three hundred sixty-three (1363) hours of teaching during three (3) consecutive school years. The hours must be accumulated on consecutive duty days. This calculation shall not include holidays, but shall include teacher workshop and curriculum days

10 7.3 PAYMENT FOR SERVICE Pay Periods Pay periods shall be semi-monthly in twenty-four (24) pay periods in accordance with the pay date schedule reflected in Appendix A of this Agreement Payment in the Event of Termination or Leaves of Absence In the event of termination of services due to retirement, dismissal, or a leave of absence longer than six (6) months, the final payment of wages shall be made at the conclusion of the last pay period or the next pay period following the termination of services Payments of premiums for hospitalization medical insurance, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD) insurance, and dental insurance shall terminate with the last pay period except in the case of a leave of absence In the case of the leave of absence the coverage may continue during the leave upon payment of the full premium by the teacher prior to the date the premium is due for payment. This provision shall be applicable if acceptable by the carrier of the coverage Payment for Services Other Than Basic Schedule Services Requests for payment for services other than the basic schedule services (Appendix B and Appendix C of this Agreement) shall be made upon completion of the service or in accordance with this Agreement and at least ten (10) working days prior to the pay day. Requests for payments shall made using the School District s appropriate system (Currently time sheets) Pay for services other than those paid on the basic salary schedule include: activities cluster schedule, homebound, summer school academic wages or recreation wages, or other wages not included as a basic schedule wage. Requests for payment shall be made upon completion of the service or in accordance with this Agreement and paid in accordance with the payroll calendar. Requests for payments shall be made using the School District s appropriate system (Currently time sheets) Deductions Other Than Required by Statute Deductions other than those required by statute shall be made as follows if applicable: a. Association Dues and Fair Share Dues: Deductions will be made equally from each pay period based upon a twenty (20)-pay schedule

11 b. Other Deductions: Deductions for insurance, charitable contributions and other deductions will be made in equal installments on each regular paycheck of the contract year. 7.4 DEDUCTION OF MEMBERSHIP DUES Request for Dues Check off The Association shall be allowed dues check off for its members provided that dues check off and the proceeds thereof shall not be allowed to any exclusive representative that has lost its right to dues check off pursuant to M.S. 179A.19, Subdivision 7. Upon receipt of a properly executed membership application of the teacher involved, the School District will deduct from the teacher's paycheck the dues that the teacher has agreed to pay to the teacher organization in twenty (20) equal installments beginning with the second pay period in September. The deduction shall be made beginning with the first pay day of the twenty (20) pay period Fair Share Fee Since January 1, 1975, in accordance with M.S. 179A.06, Subdivision 3, any teacher included in the appropriate unit who is not a member of the Association may be required by the Association to contribute a fair share fee for services rendered as exclusive representative After thirty (30) days notice, in writing, to the payroll office of the name of the teacher and the amount of the fair share fee certified by the Association, the School District will deduct such fair share fee in installments from such teacher s salary. The Association agrees to notify the School District promptly whenever any teacher subject to a fair share fee deduction becomes a member of the Association, and no further fair share fee deductions for such teacher will thereafter be made. Any dispute as to the amount of such fee shall be solely between the Association and the teacher involved Hold Harmless Clause The Association hereby warrants and covenants that it will defend, indemnify, and save the School District harmless from any and all actions, suits, claims, damages, judgments, and executions or other forms of liability, liquidated or unliquidated, which any person may have or claim to have, now or in the future, arising out of or by reason of the deduction of the fair share fee, specified by the Association, as provided in this Agreement. The deduction shall be made equally from each pay period based upon a twenty (20) pay schedule

12 7.5 SUBSTITUTE OR TEMPORARY TEACHING ASSIGNMENT Substitute Teaching Assignments Five (5) Consecutive Days or Less When a full-time teacher agrees to accept a substitute teaching assignment for a period of five (5) consecutive days or less for the same absent teacher, either during their preparation period or by taking another teacher's class, thus adding to the teacher's regular class load, the teacher shall be paid at the teacher s step and lane for each class period of extra duty unless otherwise mutually agreed. This language shall not apply when students are added to study halls Substitute Teaching Assignments Six (6) Consecutive Days or More When a full-time teacher agrees to accept a substitute teaching assignment for a period of six (6) consecutive days or more for the same absent teacher, either during his/her preparation period or by taking another teacher's class, thus adding to the teacher's regular class load, the teacher shall be paid at the rate of one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the teacher's hourly rate of pay, beginning on the sixth (6th) day and on consecutive days thereafter, for each class period of extra duty unless otherwise mutually agreed. This language shall not apply when students are added to study halls Special Education Substitute Teaching Assignments or Student Assessments During Prep Time With prior approval from administration, when a special education teacher conducts student assessments during preparation time or when a special education teacher takes another special education teacher s students, thus adding to the teacher s regular caseload, the teacher shall be paid at the teacher s step and lane for each class period of extra duty unless otherwise mutually agreed Temporary Teaching Assignments When a full-time teacher agrees to accept a temporary teaching assignment (i.e., overload) during his/her preparation period, thus adding to the teacher's regular class load, the teacher shall be paid at the rate of one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the teacher's hourly rate of pay, beginning on the first (1st) day and on consecutive days thereafter, for each class period of extra duty unless otherwise mutually agreed. The assignment of a temporary teaching assignment during the full-time teacher s preparation period shall be made by mutual agreement between the School District and the Association in accordance with Section of this Agreement

13 7.6 BASIC SALARIES Appendix B ( Salary Schedule) and Appendix C ( Salary Schedule). 7.7 ACADEMIC WAGES Hours Per Day Deductions and additions shall be made on the basis of the seven-and-one-quarter (7.25) hour day Days Per Year The daily rate for purposes of calculating deductions and additions is 1/190 (fraction) of the teacher s annual salary of the teacher Method of Determination The hourly rate is determined by dividing the daily rate by the number of hours used in calculating the deduction or addition rate Hourly Academic Wages See Appendix F Hourly Academic Wages. 7.8 COMPENSATION FOR ADDITIONAL PREPARATION (LANE CHANGES) Credit Compensation Teachers who improve their professional preparation by earning credits beyond the last earned degree or who attend workshops for which salary schedule credit has been approved in advance by the Superintendent or his/her designee will receive additional compensation in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Each additional lane shall be based upon the acquisition of fifteen (15) quarter credits beyond the preceding lane and such credits shall be in accord with such provisions of this Article. One (1) semester credit shall equal one and one-half (1.5) quarter credits Credits must be at least a grade of "B" or its equivalent ("S" on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system or "P" on a pass/fail grading system) Credits are to be used only once for a lane change Criteria for Credit Approval a. Undergraduate credits are allowed; however, only two-fifths (2/5) of the credits needed to advance one (1) lane on the salary schedule may be in undergraduate credits. The undergraduate credits are to be

14 preapproved by the Credit Evaluation Committee or the Superintendent. b. Any other credits must be graduate credits. c. Credits may be in the teacher's major or minor field of concentration or in a field in which a portion of the teacher's assignment is included or in an area listed on the teacher s current teaching license or in education. d. Credits which do not comply with paragraph c must be approved in advance by the Credit Evaluation Committee or the Superintendent, or his/her designee. e. College credits must be earned through a nationally accredited college or university Deadlines for Lane Changes Compensation for lane changes shall be adjusted during a contract year, on the first contract day and/or January 1, providing a lane change request form and the offical transcripts are received by the School District s Human Resource Department by November 15 for the September lane change or March 1st for the January lane change. Pay shall be retroactive to the date of the allowable credit change Teachers are responsible for maintaining their own lane change records and for notifying the Human Resources Department when they qualify to make a lane change A teacher may make as many lane changes as earned during the contract year Workshop Credits Regardless of anything in this Article to the contrary, the Superintendent or his/her designee may designate certain workshops as eligible to be used as "workshop credits". Workshop credits may be used for up to two fifths (2/5) of the credits required for any lane change School District workshop credits earned after June 30, 1993, may be used for any lane change without restriction as to when the master's degree was earned Credits for Television Viewing, Correspondence Work or Self Study Credits for television viewing, correspondence work or self-study shall be submitted to the Credit Evaluation Committee for prior approval.

15 7.8.6 BA75 and BA In order to advance to the BA75 or BA90 lane, all credits must have prior approval. Approval may be obtained in one of the following ways: a. From an approved list determined by the Staff Development Committee; or b. Through a request submitted to the Credit Evaluation Committee; or c. Through a request submitted to a Principal or the Superintendent However, if the request is denied by the Credit Evaluation Committee or the building Principal, an appeal can be made to the Superintendent Teachers who earn an MA degree while on the BA75 lane may move directly to the MA30 lane after earning fifteen (15) credits above the MA degree Teachers who earn an MA degree while on the BA90 lane may move directly to the MA45 lane after earning fifteen (15) credits above the MA degree Teachers on Sabbatical Leave Teachers on paid full-time/full-year sabbatical leave shall not be granted lane changes during the period of sabbatical leave Credit Evaluation Committee Purpose The evaluation of teacher credits will be made by the Credit Evaluation Committee. The purpose of the Credit Evaluation Committee is to approve or disapprove credits in accordance with the provisions of this Section Makeup of the Committee The makeup of the Credit Evaluation Committee will consist of the President of the Association or his/her designee and the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services or his/her designee Application for approval Application for approval must be submitted in advance. If unusual circumstances do not permit advance submission, the Credit Evaluation Committee may decide to approve the credits after the fact

16 7.8.9 Professional Growth and Development Projects Rationale As an alternative to college and workshop credits for lane changes, payment options have been developed to support creative projects to improve education and learning in our School District Eligibility Any teacher may submit a proposal for special projects. A sabbatical leave can be granted for this A minimum of three (3) special projects will be budgeted for each school year Cost of the proposed project could result in a decision not to approve the project Projects will be limited to two (2) per teacher. This limit may be waived by joint approval of the President of the Association and the Superintendent Requirements The outcomes of this project should benefit students, teachers or the School District. The final outcome should show a measurable or observable change Project proposals must first be submitted to the Credit Evaluation Committee for approval or denial. The proposal is then submitted to the Superintendent for approval or denial. An appeal can be made to the School Board should the Credit Evaluation Committee or the Superintendent deny the implementation of a proposal All proposals must be approved by January 15 prior to the school year in which the project is to be implemented Projects may be proposed and completed by a team of teachers as well as an individual teacher Evaluation The project will be monitored by the Superintendent or his/her designee. An evaluation system will be included in the proposal

17 Proposals All proposals for projects must be submitted in writing and must include the following: Goal of the project. Description of the project. Research to support the project. Anticipated impact on students, teachers or the School District. How this impact will be evaluated (must be measurable or observable). Timeline. Projected cost of the research and development of the project and which budget category will cover the project. Projected cost to implement the project yearly. Letter of support from building Principal. Letter of support from other appropriate groups. Prior School Board approval for research with students. Evaluation procedure for proposal Payments Salary Increments Salary increments shall be paid to teachers who are on the BA90 lane or the MA60 lane and will be paid yearly as a Professional Growth and Development Increment upon completion of the project. The increment will be one thousand and 00/100 dollars ($1,000.00). These salary amounts become a permanent part of the teacher s contract and will automatically be renewed each year. Salary can be awarded in one fifteenths (1/15) increments depending on the size and scope of the project as determined by the Credit Evaluation Committee. Professional Growth and Development Increments will be added to a teacher s contract at the same time all other lane changes are added according to Section Should the project fail to meet the stated outcomes, the teacher will receive the dollar amount specified for one (1) year only Lane Change Credits Teachers who are on lanes BA through BA75 or MA through MA45 can earn up to fifteen (15) credits toward a lane change for approved projects. The credits will be awarded depending on the size and scope of the project as determined by the Credit Evaluation Committee

18 Sunset Provision Section Professional Growth and Development Increment Projects expired June 30, 2009; however, teachers who received approval and completed projects prior to June 30, 2009, will continue to receive the compensation described in Section DISTRICT CLASS INCENTIVES FOR BA90 AND MA Only teachers at the BA90 and MA60 who volunteer to take School District offered classes will receive compensation for attending. The School District will determine which classes shall receive compensation. For every one-tenth (.1) of a credit, teachers will receive ten and 00/100 dollars ($10.00) for payment of their time and ten and 00/100 dollars ($10.00) to be used for educational or instructional purposes in their classroom(s). For example, a teacher who volunteers to take a School District course of six (6) hours or six-tenths (.6) credit would receive a sixty and 00/100 dollars ($60.00) payment and sixty and 00/100 dollars ($60.00) for their classroom(s) Teachers who volunteer and select no payment may take another workshop of equal or lesser value at the School District's expense COLLEGE COURSES Teachers will be paid step and lane for thirty (30) hours additional time for each college course they teach each semester. This stipend is considered reimbursement for non-contracted time used for preparation, meetings, and other related work Teachers will be paid step and lane for science labs taught beyond the contracted day. This would be in addition to the thirty (30) hours additional time per course, per semester The School District will pay teachers the curriculum writing rate for required courses that the teacher must take in order to teach the class. The School District will also pay for all related expenses. All courses and related expenses must receive prior approval from the supervising principal NATIONAL CERTIFICATION COMPENSATION Certifications Teachers who provide verification of holding a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification (Accomplished Teaching) and/or Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Certification and/or Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Certification and/or Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) will receive compensation of one thousand five hundred and 00/100 dollars ($1,500.00) for each full calendar year each certification is in

19 effect. Teachers who do not continue certification for the full calendar year (i.e., mid-year expiration) will be paid on a prorated basis Deadlines for Submitting Verification Teachers verification of national certification must be received by the School District s Human Resource Department by March 15 to receive the full compensation of one thousand five hundred and 00/100 dollars ($1,500.00) for the calendar year for each certification. Teachers submitting verification after March 15, but prior to October 15, shall receive partial compensation of seven hundred fifty and 00/100 dollars ($750.00) for each certification. No compensation for the calendar year will be paid for verifications submitted after October Teachers are responsible for notifying the School District s Human Resources Department when they qualify for national certification compensation Payment Schedule Teachers who submit verification of national certification will receive payment during the calendar year in which each certification is valid as follows: June ($750.00) and December ($750.00) for each certification submitted by March 15; or December ($750.00) for each certification submitted by October PAYMENT FOR OTHER THAN BASIC SCHEDULE SERVICES Payment for other than basic schedule services shall be paid according to the appropriate placement on the Activities Cluster Schedule (Appendix E) Pay Dates 7.13 COACHES Upon assignment of extra duties, compensation shall be paid according to Appendix A, following the satisfactory completion of such extra duty. If the extra duties exceed one calendar month a pro-rata portion may be paid Coaching Schedule When placing coaches on the Activities Cluster Schedule (Appendix E), any experience coaching one (1) or more school extra-curricular sports in a school year shall be deemed a year s experience for placement on the pay schedule Post Season Activities Pay Any paid activity supervisor (head or assistant) of an activity governed by the Minnesota State High School League (denoted by * in Appendix E), whose season is extended by participation at an intrastate tournament competition, shall

20 be paid the prorated daily pay described in Appendix D for each additional day of practice and/or competition after the activity s first preliminary round of competition with the following provisions: a. If the competition is on an individual basis, the supervisor shall receive onehalf (½) of the prorated amount. b. If one-half (½) or more of the membership advances beyond the first preliminary round of competition, the full amount shall be paid. c. Payment is based on a Monday through Friday five (5) day week, excluding practices conducted on weekends and holidays; however, competition that occurs on weekends and holidays should be included in the total prorated daily pay calculation described above. d. If there is no specific qualifying event, the last regularly scheduled competition shall be considered the end of the regular season. e. The above-mentioned supervisors shall be reimbursed for meals, travel, and lodging according to the current School District travel policy per diem EARLY RETIREMENT-TAX DEFERRED ANNUITY The Early Retirement-Tax Deferred Annuity Program provides a means for teachers to receive early retirement benefit money prior to actually retiring. Through this program, eligible teachers are encouraged to take greater control of their retirement by saving for retirement with the incentive of using pretax dollars and a matching contribution by the School District. Participants can invest in a variety of fund options and the earnings are tax deferred until the time of withdrawal. Earlier investment with participation by the School District allows an opportunity for teachers to plan an earlier retirement than would be available to them than by relying solely on Teachers Retirement Association (TRA), Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) and the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) Contribution The School Board, on behalf of each eligible teacher, will contribute matching funds to a state approved, tax deferred annuity plan as permitted by Minnesota Statute and with guidelines established by the Association and the School District, Minnesota Department of Revenue, and the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules and regulations, state statutes and regulations, and federal laws The School District s matching contribution will be on a dollar-fordollar basis in accordance with the eligibility schedules set forth in this Section. If the teacher contributes an amount less than the annual School District s maximum matching contribution, the School District s

21 matching contribution will be equally reduced; however, the School District s maximum matching lifetime career contribution will not be affected. The teacher can also contribute more than the amount needed to receive the entire School District s matching contribution up to the maximum amount allowed by the School Board, Minnesota Department of Revenue, and the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules and regulations, state statutes and regulations, and federal laws Any part-time teacher who has completed the eligibility requirements will be eligible for a matching tax deferred annuity or deferred compensation plan on a pro-rata basis The teacher must complete all required salary reduction authorization forms prior to any contributions being deducted Contribution Schedules Eligibility Requirements Guarantee Effective July 1, 2014, a teacher shall become eligible, upon completion of three (3) years of teaching service with the School District, to receive a School Board District s maximum matching contribution of one thousand seven hundred and 00/100 ($1,700.00) dollars per school year and a School Board maximum matching lifetime career contribution of thirty seven thousand six hundred and 00/100 dollars ($37,600) Teachers with a minimum of ten (10) years of service with the School District as of September 1, 1993, and twenty (20) years of service with the School District as of date of resignation, will be guaranteed a School District payment of twenty-four thousand and 00/100 dollars ($24,000) Any contribution made by the School District to the early retirement-tax deferred annuity plan shall be subtracted from the guaranteed payment The balance of the guaranteed School District payment shall be paid by the School District in one (1) installment within ninety (90) days after the date of retirement In the event of the death of a teacher who has met the aforementioned eligibility requirements for a Guaranteed School District Payment under Section Guarantee but has not received the actual payment, the deceased teacher s estate has the right of survivorship

22 Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP) Compliance Reopener Effective July 1, 2004, upon retirement, the balance of a teacher s Guaranteed School District Payment under Section Guarantee will be transferred to the Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP) in a one (1) lump sum payment. The payment will be made within sixty (60) calendar days of the teacher s School Board approved retirement date It is the responsibility of the teacher to qualify within state statutes and regulations and federal laws and regulations governing the MSRS HCSP. In no event will the School District be obligated to pay any amounts greater than authorized by applicable state statutes and regulations or federal laws or regulations. It is understood that the School District s only obligation is to make the specified payment on behalf of the teacher to the appropriate fund and no claim shall be made against the School District as a result of the MSRS HCSP In the event of the death of a teacher who has met the aforementioned eligibility requirements for a Guaranteed School District Payment under Section Guarantee but a payment has not yet been made to the MSRS HCSP on behalf of the teacher, the deceased teacher s estate has the right of survivorship. If it is determined that any part of Section 7.14 Early Retirement is in violation of any Minnesota Department of Revenue rules and regulations, United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules and regulations, state statutes and regulations, or federal laws, both parties agree that Section 7.14 Early Retirement, will be immediately reopened for the sole purpose of correcting the Section for compliance SECTION 105/ HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ARRANGEMENT (HRA) PLAN Purpose: The Section 105/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan provides each teacher an account with money contributed by the School District. The intent of the program is for the money to remain in the fund during the teacher's career and eventually be used by the teacher for reimbursement of postemployment qualified health expenses. The Plan also allows the use of the money to pay for immediate medical needs. Planning and the proper use of the School District's Section 125 Flexible Benefits Program would also be another financial approach to meet immediate medical needs. The Plan originally became effective July 1, School District contributions to a Section 105/Health

23 Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan will sunset effective December 31, Benefit Amount: The School District will annually contribute nine hundred ten and 00/100 dollars ($910.00) per teacher on the first teacher work day and a pro rata portion for part-time teachers and teachers who begin employment after the first teacher work day, to an Internal Revenue Code Section 105/HRA Plan Balance Rollover/Restrictions: Should the IRS rule that such Plan may not "roll over" the account balance from one year to the next, or should such "roll overs" be subject to income tax, or should restrictions otherwise not acceptable to the School District or the Association be promulgated by regulations, the School District and the Association will meet to mutually determine how the benefit will be extended to teachers. No Plan shall be agreed to which denies the teachers the full benefit of the School District contribution Interest Earned on Funds: Any interest earned by these funds shall remain with the School District to pay administrative costs Benefits Upon Resignation/Retirement: Upon resignation/retirement, the School District will contribute in a one (1) lump sum payment to the Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP) an amount that is equal to the employee s unused HRA balance. The payment will be made within sixty (60) calendar days from the teacher s School Board approved effective resignation/retirement date. The teacher is responsible to qualify within state statutes and regulations and federal laws and regulations governing the MSRS HCSP. In no event will the School District be obligated to pay any amounts greater than authorized by applicable state statutes or regulations or federal laws or regulations. The School District s only obligation is to make the specified payment on behalf of the teacher to the appropriate fund and no claim shall be made against the School District as a result of the MSRS HCSP Benefits Upon Death: In the event of the death of a teacher who has funds remaining in his/her Section 105/HRA Plan account at the time of their death, the funds cannot be deposited into the MSRS HCSP. Instead, the Section 105/HRA Plan Document will stipulate the allowable payment of the remaining funds UNUSED SICK LEAVE AND PERSONAL LEAVE ACCOUNT The Unused Sick Leave and Personal Leave Account is a severance pay program which allows eligible teachers employed prior to November 1, 1997, to save their sick leave and personal leave and if eligible, receive severance pay for the accrued days upon resignation. The use of the money is restricted to paying health insurance premiums during retirement. The balance of the Unused Sick Leave and Personal Leave Account will be deposited, upon resignation, to the Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP) to be used for reimbursement of post-employment qualified health expenses after termination of employment

24 Eligibility Any teacher hired prior to November 1, 1997 who has completed the full time equivalent of ten (10) years or more of actual teaching service with the School District, as calculated and verified by the Teacher's Retirement Association (TRA), shall be eligible for unused sick leave and personal leave pay pursuant to the provisions of this Article upon submission of a written resignation accepted by the School Board. Teachers will be required to provide the School District written authorization for release of their service credit from the TRA for verification purposes Any teachers hired on or after November 1, 1997, are not eligible for benefits under Section Accumulation Teachers may accumulate unused sick leave and personal leave days into their individual leave accounts during their years of teaching service within the School District The number of unused sick leave and personal leave days will be computed as of June 30 in the school year during which resignation is requested At separation of service, any accumulated unused sick leave and personal leave days will be placed into the teacher's account When a teacher maintains two hundred forty (240) days of sick leave, any additional days will be placed into the teacher's account. Once a day has been placed in the account, it cannot be used as sick leave When a teacher maintains an accumulation of ten (10) days of personal leave, any additional days may be placed into the teacher's account. Once a day has been placed in the account, it cannot be used as personal leave Payment The rate of pay for unused sick leave and personal leave days will be as follows: Accumulated Days Rate of Pay Sick + Personal X $ per day With the above amount, the School District will pay premiums to the insurance company of the individual teacher s choice until the teacher s

25 fund is depleted. The coverage of the teacher who resigns will not be interrupted. Effective July 1, 2013, any teacher retired prior to July 1, 2004 who has not yet depleted their fund balance, will have their unused balance deposited in one (1) lump sum payment to the Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP) to be used for reimbursement of post-employment qualified health expenses In the event of the death of a teacher who has met the aforementioned eligibility requirements for the Unused Sick Leave and Personal Leave Account but a payment has not yet been made to the MSRS HCSP on behalf of the teacher, the amount cannot be deposited into the MSRS HCSP. Instead, the deceased teacher s estate will be paid the benefit Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP) Upon retirement, the balance of a teacher s Unused Sick Leave and Personal Leave Account will be deposited in one (1) lump sum payment to the Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP). The payment will be made within sixty (60) calendar days of the teacher s School Board approved effective retirement date The teacher is responsible to qualify within state statutes and regulations and federal laws and regulations governing the MSRS HCSP. In no event will the School District be obligated to pay any amounts greater than authorized by applicable state statutes or regulations or federal laws or regulations. The School District s only obligation is to make the specified payment on behalf of the teacher to the appropriate fund and no claim shall be made against the School District as a result of the MSRS HCSP In the event of the death of a teacher who has met the aforementioned eligibility requirements for the Unused Sick Leave and Personal Leave Account but a payment has not yet been made to the MSRS HCSP on behalf of the teacher, the amount cannot be deposited into the MSRS HCSP. Instead, the deceased teacher s estate will be paid the benefit MINNESOTA STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM HEALTH CARE SAVINGS PLAN (MSRS HCSP) Purpose The School District provides a contribution for each teacher to the Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (MSRS HCSP). The intent of the program is for the money to remain in the fund during the teacher's career and eventually be used by the teacher for reimbursement of post-employment qualified health expenses. The School District s contribution to the MSRS HCSP originally became effective September 1,