A limited education leave of absence with full
or part pay or unpaid leave during regular working hours may be granted
to a regular full-time employee upon the recommendation of the department
head and with the approval of the Town Manager or appropriate Town
official, to permit an employee to take courses of study which will
better equip the employee to perform his/her assigned duties.
Full-time educational leave of absence at full or
part pay or unpaid leave for a period not to exceed 12 calendar months
may be granted to regular employees upon recommendation of the Town
Manager and department head with the approval of the Town Council.
An employee granted such extended educational leave with pay shall
agree to return to the service of the Town upon completion and remain
an employee of the Town for a period equal to two years or the employee
shall reimburse the Town for all compensation received while on educational
leave, in addition to all education reimbursements.
The Town promotes continuing education if this education
will better equip the employee to do his/her job. An employee is allowed
to receive reimbursement for a maximum of three courses per semester/quarter/block.
This benefit is available to employees who have successfully completed
their initial probationary period of employment, with the exception
of sworn police officers. Sworn police officer are eligible upon completion
of six months of employment.
To be eligible for this benefit an employee must have
demonstrated during his/her full-time permanent employment with the
Town prior to application that his/her elementary and secondary public
school training is sufficient and adequate for extended study and
training and that such informal education and training is compatible
and commensurate with the employee's chosen extended study and training.
The employee's selected courses must be approved in
writing and in advance by his/her department head and the Town Manager.
The selected courses of study must be helpful to the employee in his/her
present work and basic advancement.
An employee who takes advantage of this policy shall
be required to complete at least two continuous years of employment
with the Town upon receiving reimbursement or shall have the amount
of the reimbursement deducted from his/her final paycheck. This agreement
shall not constitute an employment contract.
No employee shall be eligible for benefits under this
policy if he/she is enrolled and receiving benefits under any other
education association plan, such as the G.I. Bill, etc.