Association Leave & Rights

Association Leave

Topic: Association Leave: 

Association leave shall be defined as leave that any member of the Association may take to engage in association business. The district will grant up to a total of ten (10) days for Association leave for Association members to use for association business. Usage of Association leave will be at the Association’s discretion. The leave may be taken in increments of not less than one half (1/2) day. The leave does not carry over from year to year. Written notification must be submitted by the Association President to the Superintendent five (5) calendar days before the date the leave will be used.

Rationale:

Association days are intended to be used to carry out the business of the Association. For example, leave of this type could be used to allow the President of the Association to meet with members who have potential advocacy related issues, it could be used to allow members to provide information to other staff about upcoming Association events and professional developments, or it could be used to allow Association members to attend Association trainings and events at the state or national level. The growth and support of our educators through the use of this leave has a positive effect for our entire school community. 

Bargaining Unit Contact Information

Topic: Bargaining Unit Contact Information:

The District shall provide to the Association contact information for all bargaining unit members represented by the Association at least twice a year, on August 1st and February 1^st.  If the information is needed more frequently, the District shall provide that information upon request from the Association. The information shall include any data available to the District for these fields: name of each bargaining unit employee; home mailing address; home phone or cell phone contact number; home email address; building assignment; teaching assignment; and any other information that the parties agree shall be provided.

Rationale:

The Association has the statutory duty to represent all members of the bargaining unit, whether they are Association members or not, in application of the negotiated agreement. The Association must be able to communicate directly with all bargaining unit members, both in and out of the school building, via phone, mail, and electronic communication. This will allow the Association to problem solve quickly and accurately, and fairly communicate with all affected employees about contract provisions or negotiations events that affect all employees covered by the negotiated agreement.

Officer Leave

Topic: Officer Leave

The President of the _________Education Association or designee shall each year be entitled to up to thirteen (13) days absence for duties related to the Association. Absences for such duty as may be required of the President or designee in executing the duties of the office shall be arranged with the building principal, allowing sufficient time to secure a substitute for such absence.

Should an employee covered under this contract be elected President of the South Dakota Education Association, said employee will be granted an extension of the leave to a period not to exceed three years or six years if elected to a second term. The employee will retain benefits the employee incurred prior to the leave: sick leave, personal leave and early retirement.

Rational:

Local officers who have release time help facilitate problem solving within the District. This benefits the District as it allows for a clear spokesperson for the District and the staff to bring issues to. Officer leave will allow the District and the Association to collaborate more consistently, which will have many trickle down benefits.

Association Training

Topic: Association Training

The Association shall be allowed two, one (1) hour trainings per year for the purpose of training bargaining unit members on the rights and responsibilities contained within the Negotiated Agreement. The training will be part of the professional development curriculum and will be provided by the Association at no cost to the District. The date and time of each training shall be established by mutual agreement of the Superintendent and the Association president.

Rationale:

This training allows for all bargaining unit members to be trained on the rights and responsibilities contained in our Negotiated Agreement. This benefits the District and the Association by reducing any confusion on the provisions of this agreement when there are changes to the document and it helps to provide an additional level of onboarding to new staff.

New Employee Orientation

Topic: New Employee Orientation

The Association shall be involved in the planning of new employee orientation programs. The Association will be allowed at least one hour of time on any program to present Association information to new employees. As part of this process, association-designated representatives shall be given an additional reasonable amount of time during the work days preceding the start of student contact to consult with new employees at their work location.

Rationale:

The Association is a problem-solving partner with the District. Allowing Association officers presentation time during the new employee training process will allow the Association to help new employees understand the Association and will help new staff understand the role of the Association within the District.s