Cuero

Independent School District

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2006-2007

Employee Handbook

Presented for Board adoption on July 31, 2006

Table of contents

Introduction 4

Employee handbook receipt 5

District information

....... Description of the district............................... 6

....... District map.................................................. 6

....... Mission statement......................................... 6

....... District goals and objectives.......................... 6

....... Board of trustees.......................................... 8

....... Board meeting schedule for 2006-2007......... 9

....... Administration............................................... 9

....... School calendar............................................ 9

....... Helpful contacts............................................ 9

....... School directory........................................... 9

Employment

....... Equal employment opportunity...................... 11

....... Job vacancy announcements.......................... 11

....... Employment after retirement.......................... 11

....... Contract and noncontract employment........... 12

....... Searches and alcohol and drug testing............ 13

....... First aid and CPR certification....................... 14

....... Reassignments and transfers.......................... 14

....... Workload and work schedules...................... 14

....... Notify parents regarding qualifications............ 15

....... Outside employment and tutoring................... 15

....... Performance evaluation................................. 15

....... Employee involvement................................... 16

....... Staff development......................................... 16

Compensation and benefits

....... Salaries, wages, and stipends........................ 17

....... Paychecks.................................................... 17

....... Automatic payroll deposit.............................. 18

....... Payroll deductions......................................... 18

....... Overtime compensation................................. 18

....... Travel expense reimbursement....................... 19

....... Health, dental, and life insurance.................... 19

....... Supplemental insurance benefits..................... 20

....... Cafeteria plan benefits (Section 125)............. 20

....... Workers’ compensation insurance................. 20

....... Unemployment compensation insurance......... 20

....... Teacher retirement........................................ 21

....... Other benefit programs................................. 21

Leaves and absences

....... Personal leave............................................... 22

....... Sick leave..................................................... 22

....... Local leave................................................... 23

....... Temporary disability...................................... 23

....... Family and medical leave............................... 23

....... Workers’ compensation benefits................... 24

....... Assault leave................................................. 25

....... Bereavement leave........................................ 25

....... Jury duty....................................................... 25

....... Other court appearances............................... 25

....... Military leave................................................ 25

Employee relations and communications

....... Employee recognition and appreciation.......... 26

....... District communications................................. 26

....... Personal communication devices………….26

Complaints and grievances 27

Employee conduct and welfare

....... Standards of conduct.................................... 32

....... Employee dress code……………………....35

....... Harassment................................................... 35

....... Harassment of students................................. 39

....... Drug-abuse prevention.................................. 44

....... Reporting suspected child abuse.................... 46

....... Fraud and financial impropriety...................... 47

....... Conflict of interest......................................... 48

....... Gifts and favors............................................. 48

....... Associations and political activities................. 48

....... Safety........................................................... 48

....... Tobacco used............................................... 49

....... Employee arrests and convictions.................. 49

....... Possession of firearms and weapons.............. 50

....... Visitors in the workplace............................... 50

....... Copyrighted materials................................... 50

....... Computer use and data management............. 50

....... Asbestos management plan........................... 51

....... Pest control treatment................................... 51

General procedures

....... Bad weather closing...................................... 52

....... Emergencies................................................. 52

....... Purchasing procedures.................................. 52

....... Name and address changes........................... 52

....... Personnel records......................................... 53

....... Building use.................................................. 53

Termination of employment

....... Resignations.................................................. 53

....... Dismissal/nonrenewal-contract employee....... 54

....... Dismissal of noncontract employees............... 54

....... Exit interviews and procedures...................... 54

....... Reports to SBEC.......................................... 55

Student issues

....... Equal educational opportunities..................... 55

....... Student records............................................ 56

....... Parent and student complaints....................... 56

....... Administering medication to students............. 56

....... Dietary supplements...................................... 56

....... Psychotropic drugs....................................... 57

....... Student discipline.......................................... 57

....... Student attendance........................................ 57

....... Hazing.......................................................... 57

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 Superintendent’s Office.

This handbook is neither a contract nor a substitute for the official district policy manual. Nor is it 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. Policy manuals are located at the Superintendent’s Office or online at 361-275-3832 and are available for employee review during normal working hours.

Employee handbook receipt

Name _______________________________________

Campus/department ____________________________

I hereby acknowledge receipt of my personal copy of the 2006-2007 Cuero ISD Employee Handbook. I agree to read the handbook and abide by the standards, policies, and procedures defined or referenced in this document.

Employees have the option of receiving the handbook in electronic format or hard copy. The electronic format can be found at www.cueroisd.org and a hard copy may be obtained from the principal or director’s office.

Please indicate your choice by checking the appropriate box below:

o I choose to receive the employee handbook in electronic format and accept responsibility for accessing according to the instructions provided.

o I choose to receive a hard copy of the employee handbook.

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 booklet. 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 superintendent’s office if I have questions or concerns or need further explanation.

______________________________ _______________________

Signature Date

Note: You will be given a separate copy of this form. Please sign and date it and forward it to your immediate supervisor or principal.

District information

Description of the district

The Cuero Independent School District is a public educational agency operating under the applicable laws and regulations of the State of Texas. It is governed by a seven member Board of Trustees elected by the registered voters of the District. The Board is the policy-making body and its members serve without compensation as representatives of District constituents. The District derives its legal status from the Constitution of the State of Texas and from the Texas Education Code as passed and amended by the Legislature of Texas. Texas Const., Art. VII The District is locaated 95 miles south of Austin, Texas, in central DeWitt County.

The corporate name of this school district, as provided by law, is Cuero ISD herein referred to as "the District." All business shall be transacted under the corporate name.

District map

Each campus as well as the CISD Administration offices has a District map that not only shows the CISD district boundaries but also the boundaries for each individual trustee.

Mission statement

Policy AE

The mission of the Cuero ISD is to empower all students to reach their potential and become responsible, respectful citizens by teaching an enriched curriculum using all available resources.

District goals and objectives

Policies AB, AF

The corporate name of this school district, as provided by law, is Cuero ISD herein referred to as "the District." All business shall be transacted under the corporate name.

PUBLIC EDUCATION MISSION, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES

The mission of the Texas public education system is to ensure that all Texas

children have access to a quality education that enables them to achieve their full

potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic, and

educational opportunities in our state and nation. That mission is grounded on the

conviction that a general diffusion of knowledge is essential for the welfare of

Texas and for the preservation of the liberties and rights of Texas citizens. It

is further grounded on the conviction that a successful public education system is

directly related to a strong, dedicated, and supportive family and that parental

involvement in the school is essential for the maximum educational achievement of a

child. The objectives of public education are:

OBJECTIVE 1: Parents will be full partners with educators in the education of

their children.

OBJECTIVE 2: Students will be encouraged and challenged to meet their full

educational potential.

OBJECTIVE 3: Through enhanced dropout prevention efforts, all students will remain

in school until they obtain a diploma.

OBJECTIVE 4: A well-balanced and appropriate curriculum will be provided to all

students.

OBJECTIVE 5: Educators will prepare students to be thoughtful, active citizens who

have an appreciation for the basic values of our state and national heritage and

who can understand and productively function in a free enterprise society.

OBJECTIVE 6: Qualified and highly effective personnel will be recruited,

developed, and retained.

OBJECTIVE 7: Texas students will demonstrate exemplary performance in comparison

to national and international standards.

OBJECTIVE 8: School campuses will maintain a safe and disciplined environment

conducive to student learning.

OBJECTIVE 9: Educators will keep abreast of the development of creative and

innovative techniques in instruction and administration using those techniques as

appropriate to improve student learning.

OBJECTIVE 10: Technology will be implemented and used to increase the

effectiveness of student learning, instructional management, staff development, and

administration.

The academic goals of public education are to serve as a foundation for a

well-balanced and appropriate education. The students in the public education

system will demonstrate exemplary performance in:

GOAL 1: The reading and writing of the English language.

GOAL 2: The understanding of mathematics.

GOAL 3: The understanding of science.

GOAL 4: The understanding of social studies.

Education Code 4.001, 4.002

Board of trustees

Policies BA, BAA, BBA, BBB, BBE, BBF, BE, BEC, BED

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 law 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. Five trustees are elected from single-member districts and two from at-large districts; and all serve three-year terms. Trustees serve without compensation, must be registered voters, and must reside in the district.

Current board members include:

District 1 District 3 District 5

B.J. Drehr Carlyle Stakes Emily Davis

District 2 District 4 At-Large Positions

Gerard Gonzales Pat Koranek Nancy Blackwell, Mark Heard

Trustees usually meet for regular meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. except for the months of September and October. In September and October the regular meetings of the Board shall be held on the third Monday. When determined necessary and for the convenience of Trustees, the Board President may change the date or time of a regular meeting. The notice for that meeting shall reflect the changed date or time at the Cuero ISD Administration Office’s Bulletin Board. The board will meet at the Cuero ISD Board Room at 960 East Broadway, Cuero. Special meetings may be called when necessary. A written notice of regular and special meetings will be posted on the Bulletin Board of the CISD Administration 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 to consult with attorneys regarding pending litigation.

Board meeting schedule for 2006-2007

August 17, 2006 December 21, 2006 April 19, 2007

September 18, 2006 January 18, 2007 May 17, 2007

October 16, 2006 February 15, 2007 June 21, 2007

November 16, 2006 March 15, 2007 July 19, 2007

Administration

Henry Lind Superintendent

Harold High Asssistant Superintendent for Business & Finance

Debra Baros Assistant Superintendent for Community Relations & Development

James M. Coburn Administrative Assistant

Kathy Stanfill Superintendent’s Secretary

Mark Reeve Athletic Director

Joe Perales Director of Facilities & Maintenance

Helen Reese District Nurse

Kristy Nelson District Librarian

Leslie Voelkel PEIMS Coordinator

School calendar

Each employee is given a District calendar at the beginning of each school year.

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 below.

School directory

Cuero ISD Administration - 405 Park Heights Drive

Superintendent’s Office 275-3832

275-2981 FAX

Business Office 275-2652

275-8597

Curriculum Office 275-8881

Athletic Department 275-3511

275-6354 FAX

Transportation 275-2484; 275-2141

Maintenance 277-8948; 275-3960

Technology Department 277-8604

Cuero Senior High School – 920 East Broadway

Office 275-6157 or 275-6158

275-2430 FAX

Ag Building 275-2186 HOE 275-5705

Band/Choir Hall 275-2772 Library 275-6900

Cafeteria 275-3132 Vocational 275-5691

Choir Hall 275-2772

Cuero Junior High School – 608 Junior High Drive

Office 275-2222 or 275-6181

275-6912 FAX

Cafeteria 275-2820

Library 277-3168

Cuero Intermediate School –502 Park Heights Drive

Office

FAX

Cafeteria

Library

Hunt Elementary School – 805 N. Hunt

Office 275-2416, 275-6312

275-3474 FAX

Cafeteria 275-5906

John C. French Elementary – 505 N. Henry

Office 275-2121 or 275-3334

275-2698 FAX

Cafeteria 275-5847

GOALS, Alt Ed Program – 301 Daule Street

Office 277-5122 <