Lewisburg Area School District Policies	Printable version
433 Professional Growth 433. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH Continuing professional study and inservice training for professional employees are prerequisites for professional development, enhanced ability to complete responsibilities and maintaining certification. The Board directs district employees to further their professional and personal advancement through graduate study, inservice training, conference attendance and professional development activities. Graduate/Special Courses Only courses of study that are preapproved shall be eligible for reimbursement by the district or a change in compensation for the employee. Documentary evidence of satisfactory completion of all study programs shall be required. Reimbursement for credits for approved graduate study or special courses shall be made in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and pre-approval of the Superintendent. All eligible employees shall submit a record and description of the attainment of approved credits in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Approved graduate study or special courses/programs may be of sufficient advantage to the district to warrant an increase in an employee's annual salary, upon documentation of satisfactory completion. Such an increase will be in accordance with provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Induction Plan The district shall comply with Department of Education requirements when developing and maintaining an induction plan for first-year teachers, long-term substitutes hired for a position for forty-five (45) days or more, educational specialists and teachers new to the district as specified in school code. Professional Education Plan The Board shall appoint to the professional education committee parents/guardians and representatives of the community and local businesses. Representatives of administrators, teachers and educational specialists on the professional education committee shall be selected by their respective members. The district shall develop and submit a professional education plan to the Secretary of Education as specified in school code. The professional education plan shall be designed to meet the educational needs of the district and its certificated administrative and professional employees; specify approved courses, programs, activities and learning experiences; and identify approved providers. The Board shall ensure an annual review of the district's professional education plan is conducted by the professional education committee to determine if the plan continues to meet the needs of the district, employees, students and community. The professional education committee may recommend amendments to the plan, subject to approval by the Board and the Department of Education. The Board may approve, on a case-by-case basis, specific professional education activities not stated within the district's professional education plan. If the district assumes all costs of credits or hours, the Board may disapprove any course, program, activity or learning experience that is inconsistent with the goals of the professional education plan and the collective bargaining agreement. References: School Code – 24 P.S. Sec. 517, 1144, 1151, 1205.1, 1205.2, 1205.5, 1217 Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting Training – 24 P.S. Sec. 1205.6 State Board of Education Regulations – 22 PA Code Sec. 4.13, 49.16, 49.17 Board Policy – 100, 806