Article 7. Retraining And Study of California Education Code >> Division 7. >> Title 3. >> Part 51. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 7.

In enacting this article the Legislature recognizes that technological and other changes are occurring which may displace otherwise desirable classified employees in the public school systems of the state. The Legislature intends that the enactment of this article will encourage classified employees to prepare themselves for the changes that are occurring and will also encourage governing boards to utilize the article to further study and retraining by classified personnel.

The governing board of any community college district may grant any classified employee a leave of absence not to exceed one year for the purpose of permitting study by the employee or for the purpose of retraining the employee to meet changing conditions within the district. The governing board may provide that such a leave of absence shall be taken in separate six-month periods or in any other appropriate periods, rather than for a continuous one-year period; provided, that the separate periods of leave of absence shall be commenced and completed within a three-year period. Any period of service by the individual intervening between the authorized separate periods shall comprise a part of the service required for a subsequent leave of absence for study or retraining purposes. In community college districts operating under the merit system, such leaves of absence shall be granted in accordance with rules established by the personnel commission.

No leave of absence shall be granted under this article to any employee for study purposes who has not rendered service to the district for at least seven consecutive years, or for retraining purposes who has not rendered service to the district for at least three consecutive years preceding the granting of the leave, and no more than one such leave of absence shall be granted in each seven- or three-year period, respectively. The governing board, or personnel commission in merit system districts, may prescribe standards of service which shall entitle the employee to the leave of absence. Any leave of absence granted under this article shall not be deemed a break in service for any purpose, except that such leave shall not be included as service in computing service for the granting of any subsequent leave under this article.

Every employee granted a leave of absence pursuant to this article may be required to perform such services during the leave as the governing board of the district and the employee may agree upon in writing. The employee shall receive such compensation during the period of the leave as the governing board and the employee may agree upon in writing, which compensation shall be not less than the difference between the salary of the employee on leave and the salary of a substitute employee in the position which the employee held prior to the granting of the leave. However, in lieu of such difference, the board may pay one-half of the salary of the employee on leave or any additional amount up to and including the full salary of the employee on leave.

Compensation granted by the governing board to the employee on leave may be paid in two equal annual installments during the first two years of service rendered in the employ of the governing board following the return of the employee from the leave of absence. The compensation shall be paid the employee while on the leave of absence in the same manner as if the employee were working for the district, upon the furnishing by the employee of a suitable bond indemnifying the governing board of the district against loss in the event that the employee fails to render at least two years' service in the employ of the governing board following the return of the employee from the leave of absence. The bond shall be exonerated in the event the failure of the employee to return and render two years' service is caused by the death or physicial or mental disability of the employee. If the governing board finds, and by resolution declares, that the interests of the district will be protected by the written agreement of the employee to return to the service of the district and render at least two years' service therein following his return from the leave, the governing board in its discretion may waive the furnishing of the bond and pay the employee on leave in the same manner as though a bond is furnished.

Where one governing board serves as the governing board of two or more separate districts, an employee may fulfill the service requirements provided in Sections 88222 or 88224, or both, by service in any one or more of the districts under the jurisdiction of such governing board.

This article shall apply to districts that have adopted the merit system in the same manner and effect as if it were a part of Article 3 (commencing with Section 88060) of this chapter or other applicable provisions of this code that may hereafter be enacted.

The governing board of any community college district may grant reimbursement of the costs, including tuition fees, to any permanent classified employee who satisfactorily completes approved training to improve his or her job knowledge, ability, or skill. Programs eligible for reimbursement shall include, but not be limited to, courses of study at approved academic institutions, seminars and training institutes conducted by recognized professional associations, and conferences, meetings, and other training programs that are designed to upgrade the classified service and to encourage retraining of employees who may otherwise be subject to layoff as the result of technological changes. Eligibility for reimbursement shall be in accordance with rules established by the personnel commission in those districts that have adopted a merit system. This section shall not apply to any employee who is receiving training and is eligible for reimbursement by any other governmental agency, organization, or association.