Apr 10, 2007 11:18 AM
The parties recognize the value of professional development of employees, and will support their efforts in this area.
A. Professional Development Fund
The Employer will make available $5000 in each contract year for activities which support the professional growth and development of employees with at least one (1) year of seniority. The activities must be related to the current employment of teachers, or to the development of paraprofessionals to become teachers. Registration and other fees for conferences, workshops, seminars, technical or certificate programs; professional memberships; and tuition are covered expenses, subject to the limitations stated below.
At least $1000 of the Professional Development Fund shall be for the use of paraprofessionals.
Requests for funding must be made prior to the activity in writing to the CWE Education Director, detailing the nature and purpose of the activity. No request will be unreasonably denied. Requests will be filled on an equitable basis. All expenses must be documented, and receipts are required.
An employee may receive no more than $200 in any contract year and no more than $300 in any two successive contract years.
The Employer will provide the Chapter with a report detailing all expenditures from the Professional Development Fund twice each year, in the months of January and July.
B. Other Education Opportunities
Employees may apply for entry into classes offered by the CWE, and will be placed wherever possible. The CWE will waive all fees and expenses due it for any such classes. All other fees and expenses shall be eligible for coverage under Paragraph A above.
The CWE will seek to provide employees with information about, and access to, other educational and professional development activities.
C. Tuition Reimbursement Program
The Employer will provide tuition reimbursement to employees in the amount of $90,000 over the 3 years of the contract i.e. availability of $30,000 each contract year.
Each year employees with one or more years of seniority will be reimbursed up to but not exceeding 75% of the current cost of 3 graduate credits in CUNY: employees working 6 or less hours per week will be eligible to apply for reimbursement for 1 course; employees working 7-12 hours per week will be eligible to apply for reimbursement up to 2 courses, and employees working 13 or more hours per week are eligible to apply for reimbursement for up to 4 courses. Hours per week shall mean the hours worked in the previous semester, exclusive of paid administrative and staff development time i.e. the spring semester for fall credits and the fall semester for spring credits.
All requests for tuition reimbursement must be made to the office of the CWE Education Director, in writing, prior to registration for the course. Requests for reimbursement for courses to be taken in the summer semester of each contract year should be submitted by June 15th of the prior contract year. Requests for reimbursement for courses to be taken in the fall semester of each contract year should be submitted by August 20th of that contract year. Requests for reimbursement for courses taken in the spring semester of each contract year should be submitted by December 20th of that contract year. Should reimbursement requests exceed the available monies, requests will be granted according to seniority. Requests made after the foregoing dates will be granted, if funds permit. Additional classes beyond those allotted based on hours worked will be approved and reimbursed retroactively upon submitted proof. At the end of the contract year, extra funds will be distributed evenly to those who took classes throughout that year up to 100% of course costs.
Courses must be taken at an accredited educational institution in a matriculating course of study (or otherwise job related – e.g. computer skills upgrading by a non-accredited provider.) Reimbursement for the course(s) will be paid upon submitted proof of completion and the costs of dropped or failed course(s) will not be reimbursed.