Handbook for
CERTIFIED PERSONNEL
2014 - 15 School Year
Franklin County Schools
215 South College Street
Winchester, Tennessee 37398
Phone (931) 967-0626
FAX (931) 967-7832
Recognized Educators
Honored at the Employee Appreciation Reception held on May 8, 2014—
Sponsored by Shull Chiropractic Clinic, Citizen’s Community Bank and First Vision Bank
Recently Retired Educators
Susan Anderton Annie Jones
Evelyn Baker Pat Reynolds
Teresa Barnhill Glenn Smith
Reggie Campbell Peggy Stevens
Sarah Edwards Susan Trimble
Dianne Garner Karen Vaughan
Ginger Hall Elaine Weaver
Policies of Franklin County Board of Education can be found on the system’s web-site http://fcstn.net under the listing of ‘FCBOE Online Policies’. These policies are reviewed and up-dated monthly; thus, the policies supersede the information found within this handbook.Also, federal and state laws supersede the contents of this handbook.
Equal employment opportunity and treatment shall be practiced by the school system regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status and disability if the employee, with or without reasonable accommodation, is able to perform the essential functions of the position.
The following has been designated to coordinate compliance with these legal requirements, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX and other civil rights or discrimination issues, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and may be contacted at the Central Office for additional information and/or compliance issues: Assistant Superintendent.
Table of Contents
Section I - General
Welcome ………………...………………………….……………………………………………..6
Purpose……………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Beliefs……………………………………………………………………………………………...6
Mission……………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Goals………………………………………………….………………………….………………...7
Vision………………………………………………………...…………………………………….7
Introduction……………………………………………………...…………………………………7
Office Hours……………………………………………………………….……………………….7
Board Meetings…………………………………………………………………………….………7
Terms of Employment ………..…………………………………………………………………...8
Emergency Closing…...... 8
Admission to System’s Extra-Curricular Events……………………………….……….…………8
Confidentiality……………………………………………….…………………………………….8
Central Office Staff…………………………………………….…………….……...………....9-10
Members – Franklin County Board of Education………………………………...………………11
Schools……………………………………………………………………………………………11
Section II - Personnel
Qualifications…...... 12
Duties………………………………………………………………………………….……….…12
Ethics...…………………..….…………………………………………………………………….12
TEA Code of Ethics….…….………………..……………………………………..…….13
Employee Data…………………………………………………………..….…………………….14
Salary/Benefits……………………………………………………………….…………………...15
Pay Day…………………………………………………………………………………..15
Direct Deposit………..……..……………………………………………………………15
Salary…………………………………………………………………………………….15
Differentiated Pay Plan…………………………………………………….….15
Number of Paychecks……………………………………………………………………16
Deductions……………………………………………………………………………….16
Claims for Travel Expenses……………………………………………………………...17
Insurance……………………………………………..……..……………………………17
Special Enrollment Provision………………….…………………………………….17
Annual Enrollment Transfer Period……………………………….………………...18
Annuities…..……………………………..………………………………………….18
COBRA………………………………………..……………………………………..18
Workers Compensation…….………...………………..………………………………..….19
ParTNers Employee Assistance Program (EAP)…………………………………………..20
Dress Code……………..……….……………………………..………………………………….21
Guidelines for Professional Dress……………..…..……………..……………...... 23
Terms of Employment and Compensation……………..….………………………………….….24
Staff Time Schedules……………………………………………………………………………..24
Leave………………………………………………………………………………………..……25
Sick Leave……………………………………………………………….……………..…25
Personal and Professional Leave………………..……………………………….……….26
Family and Medical Leave…………….……….……….………………….………….…26
Emergency and Legal Leave…….……….…………………………………………...…27
Jury Duty………………………….……………..………………………………………28
Court Appearance……………….…...……………………………………………….…28
Bereavement……………………………….……………………………………………..28
Leave of Absence………………………..………….…………….…………….……………… 28
Sick Leave Bank………...... ………….………..…………………..……….…….………………29
Resignation………………..………………………………………..………………………..…...30
Retirement…………………………………………………………………………………...... 30
Personnel Records…………………………….……………………………….……………….…31
Denial and Revocation of License…………………………………………………………….….32
Professional License…………………………………………………….………………………..32
Changes to Educator License Printing……………………………………………………………33
Requirement for License Renewal……………………………………….……….………………33
Evaluation…………………………………………………………….…..……………..………..33
Evaluation Grievance Procedure……....………………………………………………..……33
Procedures for Granting Tenure……………………...…………………….……..………….…..35
Non-Renewal Notice…………………………………………………………………………..…35
Section III - Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum Alignment/Standards………...…..…………………….….………………………………36
Guest Speaker…………………………………………………………………………………….……37
Lesson Plan Books……..…….………………..……………………………………………………….37
Instructional Materials……………………………………………………………………………..…..37
Centralized Textbook Depository…….………………………………………………………………..38
Textbooks………………………………………………………………………………………..…….38
Inventory – Textbooks and Teacher Resource Materials…………………………………………..….38
Extended Contract.…………………………………………………………………………………….38
Faculty Meetings…………………………………………………...………………………………….39
New Teacher Staff Development…………………………………………..………………………….39
In-Service and Professional Learning Opportunities……………....……………………….…………39
Professional Development Calendar…………..……………………..….……….……………………41
Approved Activities for Professional Development……….…………..………………………….…...41
Test and Test Security……….………………………………….…………….……………………….42
Homework Guidelines……………………………………..………………………………………….42
Grading System and Honor Roll……………………………………………….……………..…….…44
Tutoring for Pay……………………………………………………………………………………….46
Promotion and Retention………………………….….……………………………….…………….…46
Class Interruptions………………………………………………………….………………………….47
Code of Behavior and Discipline……….…………………………………..………………………….47
Discipline Procedures…………………………………….………………..………….………….……48
Procedural Due Process………………………………………………………………………………..49
Detention……………………………………………………………………………………………....49
Corporal Punishment………….………………………………………….…………………………....49
Record Keeping………………….……………………………………………………………………..50
Cumulative Records………………….……………………………..………………………………….50
Field Trips……………………………………………………….………………………………..…….50
Orientation – Chaperones for Field Trips …………………….……………………………………..…51
Safe Relocation of Students……………………………………………………………………………..52
When a Substitute is Needed…………………………..………..………………………..…………..…52
Section IV - Workplace
Asbestos Management Plan.…………….………………………………………………………..54
Staff-Student Relations…………………………………………..…………………………………….54
Harassment/Sexual Harassment…………….……………………………………..………….………..54
Employee Discipline…………..……………………………………………………………….……....57
Separation Practices for Tenured and Non-Tenured Teachers…..………………………………..……58
Drug-Free Workplace………………….……………………………………………………..……..…58
Drug & Alcohol Testing for Employees…………..……………….……………………….…………59
Tobacco-Free Schools……………….………………………..……………………………………….60
Use of the Internet…………….…………………………….…….…..………………………….……61
Social Media…………………...………………………………………………………………………62
Appropriate Management, Use, and Care of iPads……………………………………………………63
Technology Improvements…………………………………………………………………………….65
Acquisition and Use of Technology Equipment……………………………………………………....65
Exposure Control Plan …………….…….……………………………….…………………..……….66
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)………………….………………………….………68
Cellular Phones…………………………………………..………….………….………………..……69
Use of Cell Phones (Personal)…………..…………………………….…….…………………..…….69
Incident or Accident to Students…………….……………………..……….……………………..….69
Medicines……………………………….………….……………….………….……………….……..70
Child Abuse and Neglect……………………..…………………….……..……….………….………70
Private Vehicles…………………………………………………….……..………………………..….71
Staff Conflict of Interest…………………………...….…………………..……………………..…….71
Staff Gifts……………………………………………………………………..……………………..…72
Use of School System/School’s Equipment and/or Materials…………………..……...…………..….72
Volunteers…………………………..…………………………………………..………………..…….72
Visitors to the Schools……………………………………………………………..………………...…72
Expenditure of Funds……………………………………………………….………………..……..….72
Deposit of Funds…………………………………………………….………………………………....73
TSSAA Heat Policy……………………………………………………………………..……………..73
Destruction of and Tampering with Governmental Records………………………………………...... 73
Policy Manual……………………………………………………………………………………..……73
Appendices
Appendix A - Salary Schedule……………………………..………………………………………….74
Appendix B - Sick Leave Bank Request Form………………………………….…………………….75
Appendix C - Application for Additional Sick Leave Days………………………………….……….76
Appendix D - Information for Substitute Teacher……………..…………….………….…….………77
Appendix E – Acceptable Use Policy………………………….…….……………….….……………79
Appendix F - School Calendar……………………………………..……………...... …………..…..81
Section I
Welcome
Welcome to the Franklin County School System for the 2014-2015 school year. It is difficult for me to believe that I am beginning my sixth year of being with all of you. As I reflect on the past, I can emphatically say that our district has changed for the better. We all have been willing to do what was necessary to provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students. In the Franklin County School System we work every day to help our students advance toward their futures. Everyone employed in every capacity in our district is a part of this responsibility. Our community expects us to do all we can to ensure their children are engaged in learning the knowledge and skills they will need to be successful beyond their school experiences. I appreciate the contributions each and every one of you makes to help us in our efforts. I look forward to our working together to make this another excellent school year for our students.
Dr. Rebecca S. Sharber
Director of Schools
Purpose
The purpose of this handbook is to provide general information concerning the school system, the rules and regulations of the school system, and other professional concerns for you – the professional educator. The information contained herein is not intended to either enlarge or diminish any board policy or administrative procedure. Material contained herein may, therefore, be superseded by prevailing board policy with accompanying administrative procedure(s) if applicable, as well as negotiated agreement, or changes in state or federal law.
Information contained in this handbook is subject to unilateral revision or elimination without further notice.
Beliefs
· All students will achieve their maximum potential in a safe, positive, learning environment through the use of effective research-based teaching strategies.
· All teachers will accept responsibility and accountability for their students learning.
· Student achievement will be enhanced through the use of data driven decision-making processes in conjunction with positive communication and collaboration among students, parents/guardians or legal custodians, teachers, the school system, and the community.
· Policies and procedures will be aligned to assure a focus on the system’s goals for student achievement.
Mission
The mission of the Franklin County School System is to provide students the opportunity to achieve their potential in an environment conducive to optimal learning.
Goals of the Franklin County Board of Education (Board Policy 1.700), revised 2-2014
I. Ensure high academic success for all students;
II. Integrate relevant technology into instruction and management to increase student and teacher learning, enhance efficiency and prepare both students and teachers for the future; and
III. Develop a Comprehensive Plan to maintain the school system’s facilities, infrastructure and operations.
Vision
The Franklin County School System envisions that all students graduate with skills required to become responsible, productive, and contributing citizens in a rapidly changing global society.
Introduction
The Franklin County School System is a large public school system located in the rural southeastern corner of Middle Tennessee. The school system is composed of seven (7) elementary schools, two (2) middle schools, one (1) high school, and one (1) unit school. The school system has approximately 435 certified employees and 330 classified employees (including food service and contracted bus owners/drivers) who serve about 5,800 students in grades PK - 12. Efforts are continually made to improve the educational opportunities for our students.
The Franklin County Board of Education is dedicated to the mission of providing students the opportunity to achieve their potential in an environment conducive to optimal learning. The Board of Education totally embraces the concept that all children can learn, with emphasis placed on quality instruction and high achievement of students. Efforts are directed to the development of an ever-evolving and changing, appropriate curriculum, which reflects the diversity of students, and of improving teaching strategies to meet the needs of all the students.
Office Hours
The Central Office of the Franklin County School System is open on regular workdays (Monday through Friday – with the exception of annual holidays) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. throughout the fiscal year. The work hours may vary in the summer months of June and July.
Board Meetings (Board Policy – 1.400), revised 9-16-13
The regular meeting of the Franklin County Board of Education is held on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Central Office. When needed, a workshop meeting is held the first Monday of each month; this meeting includes a review and discussion of the agenda. All meetings of the Board are open to the public.
Electronic Attendance – Absent Board members may attend a regular or special meeting by electronic means if the member is absent from the county because of work, is unable to attend due to a family emergency, or due to the member’s military service. The specific requirements for participation in this manner are included in the policy.
Terms of Employment
Certified employees are typically paid for a work year of two hundred (200) days – this consists of one hundred-eighty (180) days of student contact, five (5) days of staff development, three (3) administrative days, two (2) holidays, and ten (10) vacation days. The approved use of stock-piled days for approved staff development activities may reduce accordingly the number of student contact days.
The individual Terms of Employment will be made available as soon as possible (before September 15).
Reminder – Positions (i.e., supervisors, principals, and assistant principals), coaching duties, and some identified extra-curricular duties have associated supplements; the duties are assigned annually; thus, the supplements are awarded annually. No employee has any continuing employment right, or expectation, to either the position or duty (beyond the normal 200-day employment contract), and/or the associated supplement.
Coaching supplements for non-faculty members are paid upon the recommendation of the school principal and athletic director (required form) at the end of the sport season (at the same rate as for faculty members).
Emergency Closing
In the event of hazardous or emergency conditions, all schools may be closed or schedules altered to provide delayed openings of school and/or early dismissal of students as appropriate.
Information regarding any change in the normal opening or closing of schools will be released to the local radio stations and posted on the school system’s web-site as soon as possible. This information may also be released to the television stations in Nashville and Huntsville.
School Messenger, a digital communication system, is in place to transmit in a very timely manner the appropriate recorded message regarding closing of schools directly from the Director of Schools to parents (per the available telephone number, cell phone, or possibly email address) and staff.
School Messenger will also be used to provide parents with other information regarding specific facets of the school system, an individual school or special program/activity of the school.
The most up-to-date contact information (phone numbers and emergency contacts) must be on file at the central office to ensure that notifications issued through School Messenger are received accurately and promptly.
Admission to System’s Extracurricular Events
Complimentary passes (general admission only) are provided to all staff members attending school-sponsored extracurricular activities held in the school system (this does not include tournament games).
Confidentiality
All information regarding students is and must remain confidential. You are cautioned to never repeat or “pass on” any information about a student, or group of students, which might be obtained while performing the essential functions of your job. Additionally, all student records are strictly confidential. Information concerning a student (grades, medical information, family information, discipline record, etc.) should never be released to anyone unless specially allowed by the parents/guardians or legal custodians. This information should not be verbally shared, copied, or compromised in any manner.
Central Office Certified Staff
Phone - (931) 967-0626
/ / E-Mail AddressDr. Rebecca Sharber, Director of Schools
Linda Foster, Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Ellis Counts, Director - Transportation and Safety
Jenny Crabtree, Supervisor – Federal Programs/Testing
Finee’ Downing, Supervisor – Curriculum and Instruction
(Preschool – Grade 5)
Diana Spaulding, Supervisor - Secondary Curriculum and Instruction
(Grades 6- 12) and CTE
Dian Relford, Homebound Teacher/Coordinator
Patricia Sutton, ELL Teacher
Marlene Wilkinson, Facilitator and Grant Writer
Laurie Baggett, Instructional Coach (technology)
Bonita Nolan, Coordinator – Coordinated School Health, Townsend Center /
Special Education Staff -
(located at the Special Services Office – 1025 Dinah Shore Blvd.)
931 962-1267
Ronald Terrill, Supervisor - Special Education
Phoebe Cross, Visually Impaired/Work-Based
Toby Guinn, School Psychologist
Ruth Jordan, SPED Reading Specialist
Matthew Killian, School Psychologist
Tracy Nichols, Licensed Psychological Examiner
Lawrence Orr, Gifted
Dawn Beinert, SPED Reading Specialist
Central Office Classified (Support) Staff
Phone - (931) 967-0626
/ / E-Mail AddressSherry Cardines, Receptionist/General Secretary
Jan Davis, Custodian
Human Resources/Office of Director of Schools
Renee Bohannan, Administrative Assistant
Diane Herring, HR Secretary/Liaison with Finance Office
Curriculum & Instruction/Preschool
Patti Limbaugh, Secretary
Career Technical Education/Extended School Program
Tina Vaughan, Administrative Assistant
Mary Tyler, Clerical (PT)
Attendance
Delinda McDonald, Attendance/Web Master/Routing
Social Worker
Jene’ Cooper
Jennifer L. Taylor
Technology
Dr. Alan Clark, Chief Technology Officer
Jody Starnes, Administrative Assistant (Fixed Assets)
Dale Tigue, Computer Technician
Brandon Mosley, Computer Technician
Hal Hill, Computer Technician
John Vanderlyn, Computer Technician
Ed Land, Computer Technician
Libby Yates, Computer Technician
Food Service
Melissa Livesay, Supervisor - Food Service
Vonda Bradford, Secretary/Clerical
Energy Education
Brian Norwood, Energy Education Specialist /
Maintenance (located at 318 Sharp Springs Road)
Bobby Campbell, Supervisor 967-2254
Shipping and Receiving
Mona Cross, Manager 962-1825
Special Education – (located at the Special Services Office – 1025 Dinah Shore Blvd.)
Rita Kelley, Administrative Assistant 962-1267
Gail Vincent, Records Clerk 962-1267
Wanda Southern, Office Assistant 962-1267
Dr. David Moore, Licensed Professional Counselor 962-1267
Tammy Benson, Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) 962-1267