Greenville ISD Employee Handbook
2015-2016
Table of Contents
Employee Handbook Receipt 7
Introduction 8
District Information 9
Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives 9
Board of Trustees 9-11
Board Meeting Schedule for 2015-2016 11
Administration 11-12
Helpful Contacts 12
School Calendar 13
School Map 14
School Directory 15-16
Employment 17
Equal Employment Opportunity 17
Job Vacancy Announcements 17
Employment After Retirement 17
Contract and Noncontract Employment 18
Certification and Licenses 19
Searches and Alcohol and Drug Testing 19-20
Health Safety Training 20
Reassignments and Transfers 20
Workload and Work Schedules 21
Notification to Parents Regarding Qualifications 21
Outside Employment and Tutoring 22
Performance Evaluation 22
Employee Involvement 22
Staff Development 23
Compensation and Benefits 24
Salaries, Wages, and Stipends 24
Paychecks 24
Payroll Schedule 25
Automatic Payroll Deposit 25-26
Payroll Deductions 26
FF Invest 457(b) Retirement Plan …………………………………………………………….27
Overtime Compensation 28
Travel Expense Reimbursement 28
Health, Dental, and Life Insurance 28-29
Supplemental Insurance Benefits 29
Cafeteria Plan Benefits (Section 125) 29
Workers’ Compensation Insurance 29-30
Unemployment Compensation Insurance 30
Teacher Retirement 30
Leaves and Absences 31
Personal Leave 32
State Sick Leave 32
Local Leave 33
Sick Leave Bank (or Pool) 33
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—General Provisions 33-36
Local Family and Medical Leave Provisions 36
Temporary Disability Leave 37
Workers’ Compensation Benefits 37
Assault Leave 38
Bereavement Leave 38
Non-Duty Day Calculations 38
Jury Duty 39
Other Court Appearances 39
Military Leave 39
Employee Relations and Communications 40
Employee Recognition and Appreciation 40
District Communications 40
Complaints and Grievances 41
Employee Conduct and Welfare 42
Standards of Conduct 42-45
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation 45
Harassment of Students 46-47
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse 48-49
Sexual Abuse and Maltreatment of Children 49
Technology Resources 49-50
Personal Use of Electronic Media 50-51
Use of Electronic Media with Students 51-53
Professional Dress Code 54-55
Criminal History Background Checks 55
Employee Arrests and Convictions 55
Alcohol and Drug-Abuse Prevention 56
Tobacco Use 56
Fraud and Financial Impropriety 56
Conflict of Interest 57
Gifts and Favors 57
Copyrighted Materials 58
Associations and Political Activities 58
Safety 59
Possession of Firearms and Weapons 59
Visitors in the Workplace 59
Asbestos Management Plan 60
Pest Control Treatment 60
Crisis Management Plan 60
General Procedures 61
Bad Weather Closing 61
Emergencies 61
Purchasing Procedures 62
Name and Address Changes 62
Personnel Records 62
Building Use 62
Termination of Employment 63
Resignations 63
Dismissal or Nonrenewal of Contract Employees 63
Dismissal of Noncontract Employees 64
Exit Interviews and Procedures 64
Reports to Texas Education Agency 64-65
Reports Concerning Court-Ordered Withholding 65
Student Issues 66
Equal Educational Opportunities 66
Student Records 66
Parent and Student Complaints 66
Administering Medication to Students 67
Dietary Supplements 67
Psychotropic Drugs 67
Student Conduct and Discipline 68
Student Attendance 68
Bullying 68
Hazing 68
Employee Handbook Receipt
Name ______
Campus/Department ______
I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Greenville ISD Employee Handbook. I agree to read the handbook and abide by the standards, policies, and procedures defined or referenced in this document.
The information in this handbook is subject to change. I understand that changes in district policies may supersede, modify, or render obsolete the information summarized in this book. As the district provides updated policy information, I accept responsibility for reading and abiding by the changes.
I understand that no modifications to contractual relationships or alterations of at-will employment relationships are intended by this handbook.
I understand that I have an obligation to inform my supervisor or department head of any changes in personal information such as phone number, address, etc. I also accept responsibility for contacting my supervisor or the Human Resources Department if I have questions or concerns or need further explanation.
______
Signature Date
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 additions and improvements to this handbook are welcome and may be sent to the Department of Community Services at Central Office.
This handbook is neither a contract nor a substitute for the official Board policy manual. Further, it is not intended to alter the at-will status of noncontract employees in any way. Rather, it is a guide to and a brief explanation of district policies and procedures related to employment. These policies and procedures can change at any time; these changes shall supersede any handbook provisions that are not compatible with the change. 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 office. District policies can be accessed on line at www.greenvilleisd.com.
District Information
Greenville ISD, which encompasses the city of Greenville, Texas and a surrounding five to seven-mile radius, is a school district that has something to offer just about everyone.
Large enough to offer progressive programs yet small enough to allow teachers the chance to cultivate a personal, active interest in each student, Greenville ISD - home to the World Champion Greenville High School Robotics Team - encourages students to seek enrichment but reaches out to those with unique learning needs.
Greenville ISD, in keeping with its mission statement, “prepares, inspires, and empowers students in a safe and nurturing environment to become responsible citizens who successfully compete in a global society.”
Teaching the basics is at the core of Greenville ISD's program. But students can take advantage of numerous educational offerings including extracurricular activities. The regular education program is supplemented by programs which cater to those with individual needs, including special education, deaf education and speech therapy.
The district includes five elementary campuses - Bowie, Carver, Crockett, Lamar and Travis - which house kindergarten through fifth grade, while a Sixth Grade Center houses the student’s sixth grade population. Also available is a Middle School for seventh and eighth grades, a traditional High School for grades nine through twelve and the Houston Education Center, the district’s alternative learning center. The L.P. Waters Early Childhood Center houses the district’s three and four year-old students.
Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives
Policy AE
Greenville ISD, in keeping with its mission statement, “prepares, inspires, and empowers students in a safe and nurturing environment to become responsible citizens who successfully compete in a global society.
Board of Trustees
Policies BA, BB series, BD series, and BE series
Texas law grants the board of trustees the power to govern and oversee the management of the district’s schools. The board is the policy-making body within the district and has overall responsibility for the curriculum, school taxes, annual budget, employment of the superintendent and other professional staff, and facilities. The board has complete and final control over school matters within limits established by state and federal laws and regulations.
The board of trustees is elected by the citizens of the district to represent the community’s commitment to a strong educational program for the district’s children. Board members are elected from single-member districts and serve three-year terms. Board members serve without compensation, must be qualified voters, and must reside in the district.
Current board members include:
Anne Haynes, Board President
District 1: Term Expires 2016
Dr. Kim Butcher, Board Vice President
District 3: Term Expires 2017
Trena Stafford, Board Secretary
District 2: Term Expires 2017
Lesley Overstreet, Board Member
District 4: Term Expires 2017
John C. Kelso
District 5: Term expires 2018
Slack Brown, Board Member
District 6: Term expires 2016
Aaron Adel
District 7: Term expires 2018
The board usually meets the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.in the Wesley Martin Operations Center, 4004 Moulton Street. Special meetings may be called when necessary. A written notice of regular and special meetings will be posted on the district Web site, at Central Office and at Wesley Martin at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting time. The written notice will show the date, time, place, and subjects of each meeting. In emergencies, a meeting may be held with a two-hour notice.
All meetings are open to the public. In certain circumstances, Texas law permits the board to go into a closed session from which the public and others are excluded. Closed session may occur for such things as discussing prospective gifts or donations, real-property acquisition, certain personnel matters including employee complaints, security matters, student discipline, or consulting with attorneys regarding pending litigation.
Board Meeting Schedule for 2015-2016
July 21
August 18
September 15
October 20
November 17
December 15
January 19
February 16
March 15
April 19
May 17
June 21
July 19
Administration
Greenville Independent School District
Administration Building
4004 Moulton
P. O. Box 1022
Greenville, Texas 75403-1022
903/457-2500
FAX: 903/457-2575
www.greenvilleisd.com
Don Jefferies, M.A.
Superintendent
Ralph Sanders, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Human Resources
Billy Myers, M.Ed.
Chief Financial Officer
Bruce Shores, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Construction
Barbara Price, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Elementary Education and Student Services
Mandy Clayton, M.S.
Executive Director of Instructional Technology
Colleen McDonald, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Special Education
Wes Underwood, M.Ed.
Executive Director of Secondary Education
Kelli Tharp, B.S., B.A.
Chief Business Development & Communications Officer
Sydney Phillips, B.S., B.A.
Director of Community Services
Sonya Cathey, M.Ed.
Communications Specialist
Rachael Driggers, M.Ed.
Accountability and Data Compliance Specialist
Donald Patrick
Director of Operations
Laura Carter
Director of Transportation
Helpful Contacts
From time to time, employees have questions or concerns. If those questions or concerns cannot be answered by supervisors or at the campus or department level, the employee is encouraged to contact the appropriate department as listed above.
School Directory
L.P. Waters Early Childhood Center
2504 Carver Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-2680
Fax (903) 457-0745
Bowie Elementary School Temporary Site
6525 Monty Stratton
Greenville, TX 75402
(903) 457-2676
Fax (903) 457-0725
Carver Elementary
2110 College Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-0777
Fax (903) 457-0786
Crockett Elementary
1316 Wolfe City Drive
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-2684
Fax (903) 457-0722
Lamar Elementary
6321 Jack Finney Boulevard
Greenville, TX 75402
(903) 457-0765
Fax (903) 457-0774
Travis Elementary
3201 Stanford Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-2696
Fax (903) 457-2533
Greenville Sixth Grade Center
3201 Stanford Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-2660
Fax (903) 457-2533
Greenville Middle School
3611 Texas Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-2620
Fax (903) 457-2628
Greenville High School
3515 Lion’s Lair Road
Greenville, TX 75402
(903) 457-2550
Fax (903) 455-5158
Houston Education Center
3923 Henry Street
Greenville, TX 75401
(903) 457-2688
Fax 1(903) 903-4641
Employment
Equal Employment Opportunity
Policies DAA, DIA
Greenville ISD does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Additionally, the district does not discriminate against an employee or applicant who acts to oppose such discrimination or participates in the investigation of a complaint related to a discriminatory employment practice. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant’s job qualifications, experience, and abilities.
Employees with questions or concerns about discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment should contact the Executive Director of Secondary Education, the district Title IX coordinator. Employees with questions or concerns about discrimination on the basis of a disability should contact the Director of Federal Programs, the district ADA/Section 504 coordinator. Questions or concerns relating to discrimination for any other reason should be directed to the Superintendent.
Job Vacancy Announcements
Policy DC
Announcements of job vacancies by position and location are posted on a regular basis to the district’s Web site.
Employment After Retirement
Policy DC
Individuals receiving retirement benefits from the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) may be employed in limited circumstances on a full- or part-time basis without affecting their benefits, according to TRS rules and state law. Detailed information about employment after retirement is available in the TRS publication Employment After Retirement. Employees can contact TRS for additional information by calling 800-223-8778 or 512-542-6400. Information is also available on the TRS Web Site (www.trs.state.tx.us).
Contract and Noncontract Employment
Policy DC series
State law requires the district to employ all full-time professional employees in positions requiring a certificate from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), including classroom teachers, principals, librarians, nurses, and counselors under probationary, term, or continuing contracts. Employees in all other positions are employed at-will or by a contract that is not subject to the procedures for nonrenewal or termination under Chapter 21 of the Texas Education Code. The paragraphs that follow provide a general description of the employment arrangements used by the district.
Probationary Contracts. Full-time professional employees, as listed above, new to the district and employed in positions requiring SBEC certification must receive a probationary contract during their first year of employment. Former employees who are hired after at least a two-year lapse in district employment also may be employed by probationary contract. Probationary contracts are one-year contracts. The probationary period for those who have been employed as a teacher in public education for at least five of the eight years preceding employment with the district may not exceed one school year.
For those with less experience, the probationary period will be three school years (i.e., three one-year contracts) with an optional fourth school year if the board determines it is doubtful whether a term or continuing contract should be given.
In addition, the district may employ a full-time professional employee under a probationary contract if the employee is reassigned. In order to give the employee a probationary contract in these circumstances, the employee must voluntarily accept the reassignment in a new professional capacity that requires a different class of certificate than the one required by the employee’s previous professional capacity.