Code Number: 402.11
A. General Provisions
- Course work must contribute directly to the improvement of the skills needed to perform the employee’s specific duties with the District unless an employee is pursuing an advanced degree with the approval of the Superintendent or his designee. If an employee is pursuing an advanced degree, the course work taken by the said employee in pursuit of the said degree shall also qualify for horizontal advancement.
- Any questions concerning the acceptability of course work should be directed to the Superintendent or the Director of Human Resources for determination of its acceptability.
- All course work must be of an academic nature and must be taken at an accredited college or university. Academic grades for completed course work must be of a grade “B” or higher. Classes offered on a pass/fail basis must be passed in order to apply toward advancement.
- To advance from one educational lane to another, an employee shall complete and file with the Human Resources Office the Application for Horizontal Advancement form furnished by the District no later than September 15 of the school year for which the credit is to be granted. All relevant transcripts shall be furnished with the September 15 filing.
- If an official transcript(s) is not available by September 15, in order to be eligible for the salary increase, the employee must sign an acknowledgment stating that if the employee fails to furnish the transcript by the end of the first semester, the employee shall be moved back to his/her previous salary lane and the District is authorized to reduce his/her salary to recover the overpayment.
- All eligible credit hours must be in graduate-level courses unless written approval from the Superintendent or his/her designee has been obtained prior to enrollment in the course.
- Credit hours must have been earned in the seven-year period immediately prior to the year in which horizontal advancement is sought.
B. Provisions for Placement in the Bachelor’s Degree Plus Fifteen Hours Classification
Course work that will qualify an individual for placement in the “Bachelor’s Degree Plus Fifteen Hours” classification must have been completed after the individual has already earned the Bachelor’s Degree.
C. Provisions for Placement in the Master’s Degree Classification
Course work that will qualify an individual for placement in the “Master’s Degree classification must result in the individual receiving a Master’s Degree.
D. Provisions for Placement in the Master’s Degree Plus Fifteen Hours or Master’s Degree Plus Thirty Hours Classification
- All hours must be earned after the Master’s Degree was conferred unless approved in advance by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
- A majority of the course work (8 hours or 16 hours depending upon the classification) must be directly related to the normal teaching assignment or in an area that will likely be of value to the teachers and district in the future.
If any provisions of this policy conflict with the terms of a negotiated agreement, the terms of the agreement will control.
- First Adoption:
- 1984-01-10
- Revision Adoption:
- February 14, 1995/ April 27, 1999/ May 11, 2004/ November 9, 2009/ April 10, 2017/ October 9, 2012