EMPLOYEEHANDBOOK2003-2004TableofContentsIntroduction………………………………………………………………………………………………….5EmployeehandbookreceiptDistrictinformation……………………………………………………………………………………..….8DescriptionofthedistrictMissionstatementDistrictgoalsandobjectivesBoardoftrusteesAdministrationSchooldirectoryEmployment……………………………………………………………………………………..…………12EqualemploymentopportunityJobvacancyannouncementsEmploymentafterretirementContractandnoncontractemploymentSearchesandalcoholanddrugtestingFirstaidandCPRcertificationReassignmentsandtransfersWorkloadandworkschedulesNotificationofparentsregardingcertificationstatusPerformanceevaluationEmployeeinvolvementStaffdevelopmentCompensationandbenefits………………………………………………........................................17Salaries,wages,andstipendsPaychecksAutomaticpayrolldepositPayrolldeductionsOvertimecompensationTravelexpensereimbursementHealth,dental,andlifeinsuranceSupplementalinsurancebenefitsCafeteriaplanbenefits(Section125)UnemploymentcompensationinsuranceTeacherretirementTax-sheltedannunityOtherbenefitprogramsLeavesandabsences……………………………………………………..……………………………..22PersonalleaveSickleaveUseandrecordingofsickleaveLocalleaveSickLeavePoolTemporarydisabilityAbsenceFromDutyformsFamilyandmedicalleaveWorkers’compensationbenefitsAssaultleaveBereavementleaveJurydutyOthercourtappearancesMilitaryleaveEmployeerelationsandcommunications……………………………………………………….…..28EmployeerecognitionandappreciationDistrictcommunicationsComplaintsandgrievances…………………………………………………………………………..…29Employeeconductandwelfare………………………………………………………………………...31StandardsofconductCodeofEthicsandStandardPracticesforTexasEducatorsandenforceablestandardsHarassmentSexualharassmentDrug-abusepreventionDietarysupplementsReportingsuspectedchildabuseAssociationsandpoliticalactivitiesSafetyMealchargesbyemployeesMisuseofcompensatedtimeTobaccouseEmployeearrestsandconvictionsPossessionoffirearmsandweaponsVisitorsintheworkplaceCopyrightedmaterialsIntellectualpropertiesComputeruseanddatamanagementSeasonaldecorationsGiftsandfavorsAsbestosmanagementplanPestcontroltreatmentUseofdistrictvehicleCommercialDriversLicense-parttimedriversKeyControlParkingatDistrictAdministrativeOffices(CSS)HousekeepingPersonalphonecallsandcellulartelephonesAnimalsindistrictbuildingsRumorcontrolGeneralprocedures………………………………………………………………………...……….……46BadweatherclosingEmergenciesPurchasingproceduresNameandaddresschangesPersonnelrecordsBuildinguseTerminationofemployment………………………………………………………………….…………48ResignationsDismissalornonrenewalofcontractemployeesDismissalofnoncontractemployeesExitinterviewsandproceduresReportstotheStateBoardforEducatorCertificationReportsconcerningcourt-orderedwithholdingStudentissues………………………………………………………………………………………….....50EqualeducationalopportunitiesStudentrecordsParentandstudentcomplaintsAdministeringmedicationtostudentsStudentdisciplineStudentattendanceHazingSchoolSafetyResources………………………………………………………………………………………………….52SchoolCalendarHelpfulContactsIntroductionThepurposeofthisEmployeeHandbookistoprovideinformationtoemployeesthatwillhelpwithquestionsandpavethewayforasuccessfulyear.Notalldistrictpoliciesandproceduresareincluded.Thosethatarehavebeensummarized.SuggestionsforadditionsandimprovementstothishandbookarewelcomeandmaybesenttotheDeputySuperintendentforAdministration.Thishandbookisneitheracontractnorasubstitutefortheofficialdistrictpolicymanual.Norisitintendedtoaltertheat-willstatusofnoncontractemployeesinanyway.Rather,itisaguidetoandabriefexplanationofdistrictpolicies.Districtpoliciesandprocedurescanchangeatanytime;thesechangesshallsupersedeanyhandbookprovisionsthatarenotcompatiblewiththechange.Formoreinformation,employeesmayrefertothepolicycodesthatareassociatedwithhandbooktopics,conferwiththeirsupervisor,orcalltheappropriatedistrictoffice.PolicymanualsarelocatedinthePrincipal’sOfficeateachcampusortheDistrict’sAdministrativeOfficesandareavailableforemployeereviewduringnormalworkinghours.TheMountPleasantIndependentSchoolDistrict’swebsitehasacompletecopyofschoolboardpolicies.TheDistrict’swebsiteis:Losempleadoscuyoconocimientodelingléseslimitadopuedenllamaral903-575-2000yhablarconunempleadoquehableespañolelcuallestraducirálasestipulacionesdelFolletodeEmpleados.MountPleasantIndependentSchoolDistrictEmployeeHandbookReceiptName______________________________________Campus/department__________________________IherebyacknowledgereceiptofmypersonalcopyoftheMountPleasantISDEmployeeHandbook.Iagreetoreadthehandbookandabidebythestandards,policies,andproceduresdefinedorreferencedinthisdocument.Theinformationinthishandbookissubjecttochange.Iunderstandthatchangesindistrictpoliciesmaysupersede,modify,oreliminatetheinformationsummarizedinthisbooklet.Asthedistrictprovidesupdatedpolicyinformation,Iacceptresponsibilityforreadingandabidingbythechanges.Iunderstandthatnomodificationstocontractualrelati