E. Maternity Leave
Following the birth of a child, employees may utilize accrued sick leave for a period of up to six weeks. Sick leave may be continued thereafter due to the incapacity of the mother or child upon certification from the attending healthcare provider (i.e. physician). If the employee qualifies for FMLA leave, and has FMLA leave available, it will run concurrent with any use of sick leave under this provision and/or any subsequent unpaid leave of absence related to the birth of the child.

F. Professional Meeting/Staff Development
Continued professional growth of all staff is an expectation. To that end, participation in staff development activities and attendance at professional meetings is encouraged.
Professional meetings include educational conventions, conferences, or workshops related to the work activities, duties, or responsibilities of staff as determined by the Superintendent. Such meetings must provide a direct value for the person in attendance for later use in the performance of ESC duties. Individuals wishing to attend a professional meeting or staff development program must fill out the necessary request form no later than 2-weeks in advance of the meeting and submit it to his/her immediate supervisor for approval. (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws 3243/4243)

Reimbursement for cost incurred during participation in an approved professional meeting or staff development program shall be made on the basis of itemized expense reports accompanied by original receipts. Proper request and purchase order procedures shall be followed both before and after the event.

Employees attending professional meetings shall make a summary report to the Superintendent identifying what was learned and explaining the ways in which this knowledge will be applied in the work of the ESC.

G. Jury Duty
Staff members who are called for jury duty should inform their immediate supervisor, building principal. Employees serving on jury duty will not be penalized for doing so. They will received their regular pay and time spent on jury duty will not be charged against vacation time or personal leave. Court-issued checks for jury duty service are to be turned in to the Treasurer’s Office, or employee may pay the amount shown on the records slip less travel allowance and other related expenses.

Each day while on jury duty, employees are to report to their director, supervisor, or principal as to their schedule for the following day and must report to work when excused from jury duty for a day or more.

Upon completion of jury duty, the employee must complete an Absence Request form and submit it with an appropriate court document indicating the number of days served.


INCLEMENT WEATHER

On days of inclement weather, district assigned employees are to follow procedures of the district to which they are assigned. Reasonable tardiness caused by weather conditions shall not be penalized. Failure to report to the assigned district, when the district is open, for inclement weather reasons shall result in use of vacation day (where appropriate) or use of leave without pay. Notification of your absence must be made to your immediate supervisor as soon as possible.

The Lake County Educational Service Center will be open even when area school districts are closed. ESC staff should report to the Center on those occasions when districts are closed. Employees will be contacted if there is an occasion to close the LCESC. When in doubt, check with your supervisor. For clarification of specific circumstances contact the Assistant Superintendent at 440-350-2563, X703.


FISCAL OPERATIONS

A. Payroll Information
Paydays are scheduled on the 10th and 25th of each month. Time sheets (if applicable) are due every Friday in order for you to receive a paycheck. All employees are required to be on direct deposit of their paycheck. Payroll deductions are made from an employee’s paycheck. (Governing Board Policy 6520)

B. Fringe benefits
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits: (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws, Health Care 3420/4420)

• 100% of the premium paid for group life insurance policy of $75,000.
• 95% premium paid for group health, vision, and prescription insurance

C. Annuity Investments and Deferred Compensation Plans
Employees may choose to contribute to an annuity fund or participate in a deferred compensation plan. Deductions are made directly from an individual’s paycheck. Several funds are available. Information about annuity investment funds and deferred compensation plans are available in the Treasurer’s Office.

D. Credit Union
Employees are invited to join the Lake County Educational Federal Credit Union. Information about credit union benefits is available in the Treasurer’s Office.

E. Salary Schedule PlacementALARY SCHEDULE PLACEMENT
The Governing Board retains the authority to specify the salary of new positions and to determine credit to be awarded for placement on an existing salary schedule. The Superintendent is authorized to credit past service of an applicant for salary and vacation schedule placement. (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws 3411/4411)

F. Severance Pay
Employees who present evidence of retirement from active service shall be granted severance pay for their accrued but unused sick leave days per maximum allowed. (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws 3415/4415)

G Purchasing Procedures
No employee shall make purchases for the ESC or enter into contracts with consultants/presenters or vendors without following the established procedures. A purchase request form must be completed and submitted for approval to the appropriate supervisor. All purchase orders will be processed by the Treasurer’s Office and signed by the Superintendent. Only upon receipt of such approval can the purchase proceed. Employees may be held personally responsible for anything purchased without a properly signed purchase order or the necessary authorization. (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws 6320)

H. Mileage Reimbursement
The Governing Board of the Lake County Educational Service Center will provide for the reimbursement of approved traveling expenses incurred in the course of performed services on behalf of the Board. (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws 3440)

Miles traveled to and from home and your assigned work site are not reimbursable. Other travel necessary during the day is reimbursement according to the guidelines set forth in the Mileage Reimbursement Procedures.

Mileage is reimbursed at the Internal Revenue Service approved rate. Supervisor-approved Mileage Reimbursement forms are to be filed in the Treasurer’s office within 30 days. Mileage to and from professional meetings is to be reported on the Request to Attend form.

I. Ethics
An effective educational program requires the services of men and women of integrity, high ideals, and human understanding. To maintain and promote these essentials, the Governing Board expects all professional staff to maintain high standards of thought and behavior in their working relationships, and in the performance of their professional duties. All employees of the Lake County Educational Service Center are expected to abide by the provisions of the Ohio Ethics Law. A copy of the law is made available to all employees at the time of hire. (Governing Board Policy/Bylaws 3210/4210)

J. Reporting Work Related Accidents All reasonable efforts are made to ensure a safe learning and working environment for the employees of and visitors to the Lake County ESC. The Governing Board requires that any accident that results in an injury, however slight, to an employee of the Board or a visitor to the ESC must be reported promptly and in writing to the Treasurer’s Office. Accident Report forms are available from the Treasurer’s Office and on the website: www.lcesc.k12.oh.us under Human Resources, ESC personnel forms.

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