A. All certified Unit Members, both full and part-time, employed for the entire school year, shall be entitled to ten (10) cumulative sick days per year of employment with Lopatcong Township School. All Unit Members employed for less than the entire school year shall be entitled to sick days on a pro-rated basis.

1. Any personal day(s) remaining unused by the employee at the end of the school year shall be added to his/her cumulative sick leave for the coming year.

B. The Board may grant at its discretion to all certified teachers moving from any public school system directly into Lopatcong Township system credit for accumulated sick days as follows:

1. Twenty (20) percent of accumulated sick days up to a maximum to twenty (20) days.

2. All such computed days will be rounded off to the nearest whole day.

3. Certification of accumulated sick days from previous employer is required.

C. Additional sick leave may be granted to any teacher who has exhausted all of their regular sick days upon request and in the sole discretion of the board, on a case-by-case basis. If granted, sick days shall be at the rate of pay equal to the difference between the teacher's pay and the substitute's pay.

D. All personnel absent due to illness exceeding three (3) consecutive days may be required to furnish to the Administrator a certification from a medical doctor.

E. Family Illness: Certified Staff

Six (6) days may be taken in any one school year, due to the illness of an immediate family member including parent, spouse, child, and brother, sister or any member residing in the household. These days would be subtracted from the sick days.

A. Accumulative:

1. All non-certified unit members both full and part-time, employed for either 10 or 12 months per year, shall be entitled to either 10 or 12 cumulative sick days per year of employment with Lopatcong Township School. All Unit Members employed for less than the entire year shall be entitled to sick days on a pro-rated basis.

2. An employee's personal sick days may be used for serious illness in the employee's immediate household. However, family illness days will be limited to 12 days per year for 12-month employees and 10 days per year for 10-month employees. (These days would be subtracted from the accumulated number of sick days).

B. Notification of Accumulation:

Employees shall be given a written accounting of accumulated sick leave days no later than September 1 of each contract year.

C. An employee absent due to illness beyond 5 days or on the day before or the day after a paid holiday be required to submit medical verification of his/her illness from a licensed medical practitioner. Failure to do so may result in loss of pay for the day or days of absence.

1. Graduate credits must be in the field of Education or related to the subject being taught. The Administrator has the power to determine and approve if the graduate credits are in the field of Education or related to the subject being taught.

If the Board and the employee cannot mutually agree, then eligibility for reimbursement for graduate credits taken as correspondence or television courses will be based upon and limited to the extent to which these credits would be accepted by the State of New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

2. No courses will be accepted which are taken to satisfy deficiency lists for certification.

3. Credits are reimbursable upon successful completion of the course. The total amount shall not exceed $33,000 for all unit members for the 2003-2004 school year; $33,000 for the 2004-2005 school year, and $33,000 for the 2005-2006 school year. (School year is July 1 - June 30).

4. Tuition reimbursement will be as follows:

a. Reimbursement for a student in a non-matriculated program will be contingent upon receiving a B grade or better and 50 percent reimbursement for a C grade.

b. If in a matriculated program and if accepted by the college toward satisfaction of degree requirements, a grade of C would be reimbursed in full.

5. Proper application forms must be submitted and filed in the principal's office as an initial step.

6. In the event the total amount sought by all of the members shall exceed the pre-stated limit for credit reimbursement, such excess shall be borne by the members pro-rata. Course credits taken during the summer and fall sessions will be reimbursed in February of that school year, after all applications for the spring term have been submitted. Courses taken during the spring session will be reimbursed by June 30.

(Continued)

Total Amount Allocated by the Board divided by the total number of credit house taken = amount per credit hour.
If the amount to be paid to a Unit member should exceed the actual amount spent, the excess shall be evenly divided among the remaining applicants. In no instance shall an individual receive more than 100 percent reimbursement for his or her course costs. All certified personnel, whether full or part-time, shall receive full course reimbursement.

8. All graduate credits taken, not specifically used to satisfy M.A. requirements, may be used for further horizontal advancement on the guide.

1. The Board will pay the full cost of tuition and other "reasonable expenses" (including fees, meals served at workshop sessions, lodging and/or transportation), incurred by the unit members who attend such sessions, other than in-school sessions, in connection with any workshops, conferences, in-service training sessions, or other sessions which a unit member attends as a part of his/her continuing education plan or is required to attend by the Principal and/or the Lopatcong Board of Education.

(Continued)

This preparation time will be available so long as special subject teachers are on staff to replace the regular classroom teacher. If there is a reduction in special teacher staff, the CSA shall have the discretion to adjust prep periods proportionately.

An effort will be made to obtain qualified substitutes for absent teacher specialist, such as music, physical education, provided notice is given prior to 6:30 a.m. of the day of absence.

The total amount deducted to be deposited with:
a. Tri Co Federal Credit Union
b. Nor Car Federal Credit Union

Either option may be exercised and the unit member may change his authorization during the school year. The authorization for payroll deductions shall state that the unit member agrees to indemnify and save the Board of Education harmless in the event of any claim, loss or suit arising as a result of deductions made by the Board in accordance with the above.

A Liaison Council shall meet at the request of either party with such meeting to occur within 3 weeks of date requested, unless extended by mutual agreement.

The purpose of the Council shall be to strengthen the Educational Program through recommendations, research, implementation and the evaluation by the Board of Education and the Association, to best meet the needs of the students, the school, and the community.

The Council shall consist of a minimum of three (3) representatives appointed by the Board of Education and a minimum of three (3) representatives by the Education Association and an Administrator. The Administrator is a non-voting member.

At all times, the voting members of the Council shall contain an equal number of Board and Association Representatives.

The Council shall schedule meetings as the need arises either by Association or Board request.

Unit members shall be entitled to the following temporary non-cumulative leaves and absence with full pay each school year.

1. Personal:

Two days leave of absence for personal, legal, business, household or family matters all of which require absence during school hours. The leaves may be granted in ½ day periods subject to the availability of a substitute. Application to the Administrator for personal leave shall be made at least five (5) days before taking such leave (except in case of emergency). The applicant for such leave shall be required to state the reason for taking such leave if the day is immediately before or after a vacation period. The Administrator has the authority to grant or not grant such leave.

No more than two (2) non-certified employees or more than one (1) in any job category will be granted personal leave at the same time.

2. Death:

a. In the event of death of the teacher's parent, spouse, mother-in-law, father-in-law or child, the teacher shall be granted time off without loss of pay, which shall commence on or after the day of death and be completed within two (2) calendar weeks after the day of the funeral, but in no event to exceed five (5) consecutive work days.

b. In the event of death of the teacher's brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, the teacher shall be granted time off without loss of pay, which shall commence on or after the day of death and be completed within two (2) calendar weeks after the day of the funeral, but in no event to exceed three (3) consecutive work days.

c. Unit members shall be granted one (1) day in the event of death of a unit member's relative outside the immediate family defined above.

d. Teachers shall be allowed to take funeral leave in other than the consecutive days increments as outlined above in sections (a) and (b) above upon prior notice to and in the sole discretion of the Chief School Administrator.

3. Legal:

With the exception of a tenure hearing or other matter adverse to the member, unit members may have time necessary for appearances in any legal proceedings connected with the employees' employment with the school system or in any other legal proceeding if the employee is required by law to attend. If the member prevails in a tenure hearing or other adverse matter, leave time will be retroactively applied and the member compensated consistent with this agreement.

Leaves taken pursuant to Section A above shall be in addition to any sick leave to which the teacher is entitled.

Other leaves of absence with or without pay may be considered by the Board.

1. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:31-2, whenever any 12 month or 10-month secretary or office clerk applies to the Board of Education for permission to attend the annual convention of the New Jersey Education Association, such permission shall be granted for a period of not more than two (2) days in any one year and he/she shall receive his/her whole salary for the days of actual attendance upon the sessions of such convention upon filing with the secretary of the Board a certificate of attendance.

2. In accordance with current practice, teachers shall not be required to attend school on N.J.E.A. Convention days and shall not receive extra compensation for attending the N.J.E.A. Convention.

Many unit members are entitled under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) to an unpaid leave of absence, for up to twelve (12) weeks in any twelve (12) month period, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, or the serious health condition of the employee or a family member (i.e., child, parent, or spouse).

Many unit members are also covered by the New Jersey Family Leave Act (“NJFLA”) which entitles covered workers to an unpaid leave of absence for a period not to exceed twelve (12) weeks in a twenty-four (24) month period for: (1) the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child; or (2) a serious health condition of a family member.

The Board shall measure leave entitlement by using a rolling twelve (12) month (or twenty-four (24) months under the NJFLA) period. A unit member may only take the maximum twelve (12) weeks during this rolling period.

Where leave is requested for a reason which qualifies under both laws, FMLA and NJFLA leave run at the same time and cannot be “stacked.” In certain special circumstances, unit members may be able to add NJFLA time to leave provided under the FMLA.

Leave granted due to the serious health condition of the unit member or a family member may be taken consecutively, intermittently, or on a reduced leave (part-time) schedule with certain restrictions. Intermittent or reduced leave schedule requested for the healthy birth, adoption or foster placement of a child is not permitted except with the agreement of the Board. Such permission shall be at the sole discretion of the Board and shall not be subject to arbitration under this agreement. Leave for the healthy birth, adoption or foster placement of a child must commence within one year of the healthy birth, adoption or foster placement.

Eligible employees must provide thirty (30) days advance written notice for leave due the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child or the employee’s own serious medical condition. Fifteen (15) days advance written notice should be provided for other all reasons (or lesser reasonable notice in emergencies). Where written notice is impractical, employees should provide oral notice, and later confirm the notice in writing. This notice must be provided to the CSA. Employees must provide a certification issued by a licensed health care provider demonstrating the need for leave, prior to the start of leave, where possible. The failure to provide such certification may result in the denial of leave. The Board may require periodic re-certifications for longer leaves. The Board may also require, at its own expense, a second or third opinion concerning the need for leave.

Employees taking family or medical leave will be returned to their former positions or a substantially equivalent position upon return from leave, to the extent required by law. Employees taking leave for their own serious health condition will be required to present a fitness-for-duty report prior to being returned to work. The failure to return from leave at the leave’s expiration may result in termination of employment, subject to any additional legal protections covering the unit member. An employee requesting an

TEMPORARY LEAVES OF ABSENCE (continued)

extension of leave must give at least two business days’ notice where possible.
The Board will continue to provide workers taking family and medical leave under the FMLA with health insurance benefits as if those employees had continued to work during the leave period. Employees on leave will be responsible for their co-pays and other insurance costs as if they had remained working.

For periods during which an employee is on leave due to a personal injury caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of employment, receiving Worker’s Compensation or receiving Temporary Disability Benefit payments, such leave may be taken in addition to any personal, sick days, or other leave time provided by the Board.

Not all unit members are eligible for this leave benefit. New hires and some part-time unit members are not covered by this policy. Eligibility requirements are similar, but not identical, for FMLA and NJFLA leave. Unit members who have been with the District for at least one (1) year, and have worked one-thousand, two-hundred, and fifty (1,250) hours in the twelve (12) months preceding the leave request are eligible for FMLA leave, while those who have been with the Board for one (1) year and have worked at least one-thousand (1,000) base (non-overtime) hours in the prior twelve (12) months are eligible for NJFLA leave.

Leaves taken under the FMLA and/or the NJFLA shall be subject to the statutes and regulations governing such leaves.

As indicated above, FMLA and NJFLA leave may not be stacked and must run concurrently. Other temporary leave discussed above may be stacked and taken consecutively with any FMLA and/or NJFLA leave.

The Board shall provide the health-care insurance protection as designated below. Non-certified employees will be eligible for insurance protection if they normally work in excess of thirty (30) hours per week.

1. Provisions of Coverage and Carrier:
Provisions of the health-care insurance program shall be as detailed in the current contract agreed to by the Board and the Association, with medical coverage provided by Horizon BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD of New Jersey through its Preferred Provider Organization (“PPO”).

The Board shall provide a cap of $75,000 during the period of the Agreement to conduct a prescription drug program through a carrier of the Board’s choice in which a $5.00 copay will be paid toward each prescription by the employee for brand name drugs and a $0.00 copay for generic drugs.

Beginning July 1, 2000, all new personnel and any employee becoming eligible for coverage will be offered prescription drug coverage under major medical and will not be counted in the cap. The board will reimburse each employee enrolled in the prescription drug program under major medical $200 for the cost of the deductible.

Employees will be reimbursed the first $200 of their or their families’ deductible as specified on an “Explanation of Benefits” statement. The “Explanation of Benefits” statement must be submitted to the Board Secretary. Reimbursement will be received following the next meeting at which the Board approves bills.

The Dental Plan is to be as detailed in the current contract agreed to by the Board and the Association with the Board paying the full cost of the employee only component of the premium, which shall provide a maximum annual benefit of $2,000 per person, and the unit member and the Board splitting the added cost of family dependent coverage on a 50/50 basis. The Board shall also provide orthodontic benefits for child dependents of unit members, at a rate of 50%, with a maximum, per lifetime, benefit not to exceed $1,500.

“I waive my right to elect coverage in return for a cash incentive equal to 50% of the premium that would otherwise be paid on my behalf by the Board. Payment will be as follows: ½ of the cash incentive in my second December paycheck and the remaining ½ in my second June paycheck. I may re-enroll for coverage unconditionally each subsequent July 1st. I may only re-enroll during a school year upon proof of a life status change (e.g., unemployment, death or disability of a spouse, divorce, etc.). I acknowledge that if I choose to re-enroll during a school year based on a change in life status, any subsequent waiver payment owed to me would be forfeited and applied to the cost of coverage.”

1. "Unit" refers to preamble.

2. "Association" refers to preamble.

3. A "grievance" shall mean a complaint by a Unit member of the LEA alleging, a violation, misinterpretation or inequitable application of established policy or administrative decision governing or affecting him or of any of the provisions of this agreement. The term "grievance" shall not apply to any matter of which:

(a) A method of review is prescribed by law or State Board of Education rule, or,
(b) Is contrary to law or the rules of the State Department of Education.

1. The purpose of the grievance procedure is to secure at the lowest level, solutions to the grievance presented. Both parties agree that these proceedings will be kept informal and confidential at all levels of the procedure.

2. Nothing herein contained shall be construed as limiting the right of any unit member having the grievance adjusted without intervention of the Association, provided the adjustment is not inconsistent with the terms of the Agreement and that the Association has been given the opportunity to be represented at such adjustment.

1. Level One:
A unit member with a grievance shall first discuss it with the Administrator within ten (10) school days after the grievable action occurred, after then either directly or through the Association, with the objective of resolving the matter informally.

2. Level Two:
If the party filing the grievance is not satisfied with the disposition of his grievance at Level One, or if no decision has been rendered within ten (10) school days after the presentation or the grievance, he may file the grievance in writing with the Association. Within five (5) school days after receiving the written grievance, the Association may refer it to the Board, if, in the opinion of the Association, the grievance has merit.

3. Level Three:
Within fifteen (15) school days after receiving the written grievance, the Board shall review the case and, at the next scheduled Board meeting render a written decision.

4. Level Four:
The Association may, within five (5) school days inform the Board that advisory arbitration is being invoked.

Within ten (10) school days after such written notice of submission to arbitration, the Board and the Association shall attempt to agree upon a mutually acceptable arbitrator and shall obtain a commitment from said arbitrator to serve. If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator or to obtain such a commitment with the specified period, a request for a list of arbitrators may be made to the Public Employment Relations Commission by either party. The parties shall then be bound to the rules and procedures of the Public Employment Relations Commission, including those rules relating to the selection of an arbitrator.

The arbitrator so selected shall confer with the representative of the Board and the Association and hold hearings promptly and shall issue his decision for settlement not later than twenty (20) school days from the date of the close of the hearings or, if oral hearings have been waived, then from the date of the final statements and proofs on the issues submitted. The arbitrator shall be without power or authority to make any decision, which requires the commission of an act, prohibited by law or which is violative of the terms of the Agreement. The decision of the arbitrator shall be non-binding and advisory in nature. Neither party may be compelled to take or withhold from taking any action based on the decision.

The costs for the services of the arbitrator, including per diem expenses, if any, and actual and necessary travel, subsistence expenses and the cost of the hearing room shall be borne equally by the Board and the Association. Any other expenses incurred shall be paid by the party incurring same.

1. The time limits specified at any level may be extended by mutual agreement.

2. All Unit members will continue under the direction of the Administrator, regardless of the pendency of any grievance, until such grievance is properly determined.

"Certified" members who participate in Homebound Instruction shall be reimbursed at the hourly rate for which the state reimburses the district for homebound instruction time. In addition, one hour of planning time per week will also be reimbursed at the state rate.

All positions for homebound instruction shall be offered to Unit members first.

The activities must have had prior approval by the Administrator and/or the Board of Education and submitted on or before June 30 immediately following the conclusion of each school year. Any expense submitted after that time will be considered waived and not paid.

1. Her performance substantially declines from period preceding pregnancy.

2. Her physical condition or capacity renders her incapable of performing her assigned duties, which situation shall be deemed to exist if:

a. The Board's physician concludes that she is unable to continue working; however, if the decision of the Board's physician is in conflict with that of the unit member's physician, a third physician shall be consulted, and his decision shall be final. The cost of the third physician shall be paid equally by the Association and the Board.

For normal pregnancies, this leave shall consist of 20 working days prior to delivery and 20 working days following delivery so long as the employee has accumulated sick leave sufficient to cover the term of the leave.

Employees shall be entitled to maternity disability leave with pay beyond the standard period of disability references above so long as the employee has accumulated sick leave sufficient to cover the requested additional leave.

In order to be eligible for said additional leave, the employee must submit written medical evidence from her physician, to the Board.

Following the grant of such leave to any unit member, the commencement and termination dates may be further extended or reduced for medical reasons upon application by the unit member to the Board. Such extension or reduction shall be granted, but the Board may alter the requested dates upon finding that such extension or reduction would substantially interfere with the administration of the school, and provided that such date change is not medically contra-indicated. The Board may require any unit member to produce a physician's certificate in support of the requested change and is subject to agreement by the Board's physician; however, if the decision of the Board's physician is in conflict with that of the unit member's physician, a third physician shall be consulted and his decision shall be final. The cost of a third physician shall be paid equally by the Association and the Board.

A leave shall be granted to a teacher by the Board for study in the field related to the subject being taught or for reasons the Board decides shall be of value to the school system.

Study leave shall be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. Number of Teachers -
If there are sufficient qualified applicants, study leaves shall be granted to a maximum of one (1) teacher at any one time. If more than one (1) teacher applied for study leave in any one year, requests will be honored on the basis of seniority.

2. Length of Time -
No more than one (1) full year's study leave shall be granted during any given budget year.

3. Requests -
Requests for study leave must be received by the principal in writing, in such form as may be mutually agreed on by the Association and the principal, no later than January 1, and action must be taken not later than February 1 of the school year preceding the school year for which the study leave is requested.

4. Minimum time to Qualify -
The teacher has completed at least seven (7) full school years of service in the Lopatcong Township School District.

5. Pay -
A teacher on study leave shall continue to receive medical and dental coverage and life insurance benefits paid for by the Board.

6. Return -
Upon return from a study leave, a teacher shall be assigned a position commensurate to the one he or she last held. The teacher shall return to the district for a time equal to the length of the leave. If a member fails to work ninety (90) days during a school year, the member shall be moved back one (1) level on the salary locator. A member shall be moved back one level for each year during which the member failed to work ninety (90) days.

Any member of the Unit who is retiring from the district and is eligible for pension benefits as defined by Title 18A: 66 et seq. "Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund" or the Public Employees Retirement System and has at least ten years of service in the district.

Effective July 1, 2003, all eligible unit members shall receive a retirement benefit of $400 for each year of service in the district.

When an employee (unit member) officially submits and the Board officially approves actual retirement request, and then should die before receiving lump sum payment, the estate of the deceased member would receive the lump sum payment within ninety (90) days after the death of the employee (unit member).

1. Lump Sum
2. Payment in Board's next fiscal year/individual's next tax year
3. Two payments - one within 90 days after retirement with balance in Board's next tax year

No non-certified, non-tenured employee shall be non-renewed without just cause, following a 3 year probationary period. Any dispute relating to the termination of a non-tenured, non-certified employee shall be subject to binding arbitration as discussed below in this sub-paragraph.

The Association may, within five (5) school days’ notice of the termination, inform the Board that binding arbitration is being invoked. If notice is not provided within five (5) school days, all rights to contest the termination are waived.

Within ten (10) school days after such written notice of submission to arbitration, the Board and the Association shall attempt to agree upon a mutually acceptable arbitrator and shall obtain a commitment from said arbitrator to serve. If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator or to obtain such a commitment with the specified period, a request for a list of arbitrators may be made to the Public Employment Relations Commission by either party. The parties shall then be bound to the rules and procedures of the Public Employment Relations Commission, including those rules relating to the selection of an arbitrator.

The arbitrator shall confer with the representative of the Board and the Association and hold hearings promptly and shall issue his or her binding decision for settlement not later than twenty (20) school days from the date of the close of the hearings or, if oral hearings have been waived, then from the date of the final statements and proofs on the issues submitted. The arbitrator shall be without power or authority to make any decision,

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS (continued)


which requires the commission of an act, prohibited by law or which is violative of the terms of the Agreement.

The costs for the services of the arbitrator, including per diem expenses, if any, and actual and necessary travel, subsistence expenses and the cost of the hearing room shall be borne equally by the Board and the Association. Any other expenses incurred shall be paid by the party incurring same.

1. Employee's scheduled working hours
2. Scheduled educational hours
3. Other previously scheduled activities
4. Normal school operations

1. To direct employees of the school district;

2. To hire, promote, transfer, assign, and retain employees in positions in the school district, and for causes stipulated by law or in this Agreement, to suspend, to demote, discharge, or take other disciplinary action against employees;

3. To relieve employees from duty because of reduction in force or for other reasons as determined by law;

4. To maintain the efficiency of the school district operations entrusted to them;

5. To determine the methods, means, and personnel by which such operations are to be conducted; and

6. To take whatever actions may be necessary to carry out the mission of the school district in situations of emergency.

1. Certified personnel will be employed on a 184 day work year basis. The employee's work year may not be changed without negotiation with the union.

2. Custodians and Secretaries will be employed on a 10 or 12 month work year basis. The employee's work year may not be changed without negotiation with the union.

3. Lunchroom Supervisor, Teacher Aides and Clerks will be employed for 181 days. Any days worked beyond 181 days will be based on per diem rate to be included with last paycheck in June.

4. The 10-month work year is September 1 to June 30. The 12-month work year is July 1 to June 30.

5. All anniversary dates will be adjusted to either January 1 or July 1, whichever is closest to the first date of continuous employment.

1. Employees will be told on or before the first day of the work year their work days and work hours. Neither the work days nor the work hours may be changed without negotiation with the union.

2. Certified employees work seven (7) hours per day.

3. The work shift for non-certified employees excluding additional part-time employees that may be subsequently hired is as follows, subject to the discretion of the Board:

a. Custodians - Eight (8) hours exclusive of a 30-minute lunch period.

b. Secretary - Seven and one-half (7-1/2) hours exclusive of a 30-minute lunch period.

c. Lunchroom Supervisor - Two and one-half hours (2.5).

d. Classroom Aide - Six and one-half (6-1/2) hours per day, excluding lunch.

e. Clerk - Five and one-half (5-1/2) hours per day, excluding lunch.

WORK SCHEDULE (Continued)

1. Any custodian scheduled to work (40) hours during a week will be compensated:

a. At the rate of time and a half for overtime on weekdays;

b. Overtime on Saturdays to be paid at time and a half;

c. Overtime on Sundays to be paid at double time; and

d. Custodians shall receive a minimum of two (2) hours overtime pay, at the appropriate rate, for all unscheduled call in work. “Call in work” shall not include additional work during a regular work day and “unscheduled" shall be defined as having received less than 48 hours notice.

2. All scheduled overtime on a paid holiday (see F) shall be paid at the rate of two (2) times the employee's regular hourly rate.

3. All overtime must be previously authorized by the Administrator.

1. Vacation eligibility shall be determined as of June 30 of each year.

2. Vacation times shall be scheduled to coordinate with the work schedule and shall be subject to the approval of the Administrator.

3. When more than one employee in a general classification seeks vacation at the same time and work schedules do not permit such vacation scheduling, seniority based upon total number of years in the employment of the district shall take precedence.

4. Employees shall be eligible for vacation on the following basis:
(a) Non-certified, twelve month personnel employed for less than one year shall be entitled to one-day of vacation for each month of employment to a maximum of five exclusive of holidays and weekends.

(b) Non-certified, twelve month personnel employed by the Lopatcong School District from two (2) through six (6) years shall be entitled to ten (10) days of vacation exclusive of holidays and weekends.

(c) Non-certified, twelve month personnel employed by the Lopatcong School District more than six (6) years shall be entitled to fifteen (15) days of vacation exclusive of holidays and weekends.


ARTICLE XXII (Continued)

WORK SCHEDULE (Continued)

(d) Non-certified, twelve month personnel employed by the Lopatcong School District more than 10 years shall be entitled to one (1) additional vacation day for each additional year of employment, beginning with their eleventh year and ending with their fifteenth year, to a maximum of twenty (20) days of vacation exclusive of holidays and weekends.

1. Ten (10) month full-time non-certified employees, excluding teacher aides, lunchroom supervisor and clerk, (see Article XXII, B. #1) shall be entitled to Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, Day before New Year's, New Year's Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Good Friday and Monday after Easter with no loss of pay. (Provided that school is not scheduled to be in session).

2. Twelve (12) month full-time non-certified employees, excluding teacher aides (see Article XXII, B. #1) shall be entitled to the days in Article XXII, F. #1, plus Independence Day, with no loss of pay.

Custodial and maintenance personnel shall be provided with 3 sets of serviceable work uniforms by September lst annually. The uniforms shall be at the discretion of the Administrator.

In the event that the Board employs bus drivers during this contract period, all language previously negotiated concerning said position should remain in effect. (See 1988-89 supportive staff contract).

The intent of the Support Personnel (Non-Certified) Employment Salaries is for full-time employees. Part-time custodial employees are not eligible to move beyond the first step of the guide, nor may the time served be considered towards seniority.

ARTICLE XXIII

1. A non-certified employee who is resigning form his position shall give a minimum of two weeks notice.

2. Earned vacation for 12-month non-certified employees, employed over 12 months, shall be paid according to the proportion of full months worked to the total contract year.

3. A non-certified employee resigning with less than two weeks notice shall not be paid for unused vacation.

1. Employees shall be given written notice of their contract for the forthcoming year, no later than April 30.

    ARTICLE XXIV 

   ARTICLE XXV

Consistent with New Jersey and Federal Statutes and Regulations.

Non-Certified employees shall be granted a leave of absence without pay of up to six (6) months for the purpose of caring for a seriously sick member of the non-certified employee's immediate family. Additional leave may be granted at the discretion of the Board.

All benefits to which the non-certified employee was entitled at the time of his leave of absence commenced, including unused accumulated sick leave, shall be restored to him upon his return, and he shall be assigned to the same position which he held at the time of said leave commenced, if available, or if not, to a substantially equivalent position. For non-certified employees returning to work prior to the expiration of FMLA or NJFLA leave, job restoration shall be as required pursuant to statute.

1. All requests for extension or renewal of leaves shall be in writing.

2. Leaves granted by the Board will be set in writing.

   ARTICLE XXVI

The parties agree pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 123, Laws of 1974, to negotiate in good faith with respect to terms and conditions of employment.

thirty (30) days after receipt of a proposal, unless the Board and the Association mutually agree to an extension of time. Each party shall promptly make available to the other, upon request, all information required by law. Either party may, if it so desires, utilize the services of outside consultants and may call upon professional and lay representatives to assist in the negotiations.

This agreement constitutes policy for the term of said Agreement, and the Parties shall carry out the commitments contained herein and give them full force and effect.

If any provision of this Agreement or any application of this Agreement to any employee or group of employees is held to be contrary to law, then such provision or application shall not be deemed valid and subsisting, except to the extent permitted by law, but all other provisions or applications shall continue in full force and effect.

Any individual contracts between the Board and an individual employee, heretofore or hereafter executed, shall be subject to the consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If an individual contract contains any language inconsistent with this Agreement, this Agreement, during its duration, shall be controlling.

Copies of this Agreement shall be printed at the expense of the Board within thirty (30) days after the Agreement is signed. The Agreement shall be presented to all employees now employed, hereafter employed, or considered for employment by the Board.

Whenever any notice is required to be given by either of the parties to this Agreement to the other, pursuant to the provision(s) of this Agreement, either party shall do so by facsimile or certified letter at the following addresses:

1. If by Association to:
Board of Education
Lopatcong Township School
263 Route 57
Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865

2. If by Board to:
Lopatcong Education Association
Lopatcong Township School
263 Route 57
Phillipsburg, New Jersey 08865

1. All positions shall be posted and all assignments shall be voluntary.

2. If the number of volunteers exceeds the number of available positions, the final selection shall be at the discretion of the CSA subject to the following condition. Applicants must first be selected from these grade levels which correspond to the position of the professional teacher.

Primary - Kindergarten - 3rd grade
Middle - Grades 4-6
Upper - Grades 7-8

3. If there are no applicants, the CSA shall advertise outside the district.

Mentoring teachers do not have to conduct observations.

The Mentoring Teacher shall receive $550 per year to be paid in two equal installments; the first to be paid on February 15, and the second with the last pay in June. The cost is to be paid by the teacher being mentored. The cost to be deducted in 20 equal payments or in one payment by January 30. The option to be the new teacher's choice.

  ARTICLE XXX

SALARY GUIDES FOR NON-CERTIFIED STAFF

ARTICLE XXXI
SALARY GUIDES FOR CERTIFIED STAFF

EXHIBIT “A”

STIPEND PAYMENTS

The Board agrees to provide stipend payments to members who assist students in certain extracurricular activities, pursuant to the schedule set forth above. Stipend payments will be increased yearly, consistent with the percentage increase for salaries set forth above.

Stipend payments are based on a formula in which “one stipend” equals $500 - a one stipend position is paid $500, a two stipend position is paid $1,000, a half stipend position is paid $250, and so forth. In cases where multiple members are assisting in one activity, the payment will be made lump-sum, and the members may divide the payment between themselves, as they deem appropriate.

Student Council 2.5 stipends

Special Olympics 2.0 stipends

School Newspaper 1.5 stipends

Instrumental Music 1.0 stipend

Choral Music 1.0 stipend

Forensics 1.0 stipend

Yearbook .5 stipend

Young Consumers Program .5 stipend

Pictures and Music Assistance for Graduation .5 stipend