Professional Growth Program

Purpose

The Professional Growth Program is intended to provide an incentive to employees to improve the quality of their job performance and for unit members to pursue professional growth and development. This is a reimbursement program subject to committee approval.

Professional Growth Committee

The Professional Growth Committee is comprised of four (4) members, including two (2) selected by Teamsters Local 986 and two (2) by the District. The committee shall verify that the proposed courses are aligned with professional growth and development. Submissions are due one week before the scheduled quarterly committee meeting.

TEAMSTERS LOCAL 986	DISTRICT
Crystal Turner Administrative Analyst (Shop Steward)	Brian Coffey, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Hakima Karim Lead Community Liaison	Tiffany Egan Director I Human Resources

PROCEDURES

Accepted applications for reimbursement shall state and demonstrate progress toward an educational goal, such as a degree, certification, or credential. There is no limit on how many times a classified employee can be reimbursed for tuition expenses as long as the request is reviewed and approved by the committee and the employee is making progress toward their stated educational goal.

Submit Application (Declaration of Intent). Any unit member who wishes to participate in the Professional Growth Program should complete a Program Application within six (6) months of starting the course(s).
1. To be considered for reimbursement, the application should state and demonstrate progress towards an educational goal such as a degree, certification, or credential.
2. Attach the Professional Growth Course List Form (Sections I and II must be completed).
Committee Verification/Approval. The committee will review all submissions received before the scheduled quarterly meeting. Submissions under quarterly committee review include program applications (Declaration of Intent) and requests for reimbursement (Verification of Course Completion). The committee reviews applications to determine whether they will meet the program's goals by verifying that the proposed courses align with professional growth and development. Please review the Quarterly Meeting Schedule/Due Dates.
Submit Request for Reimbursement. Once the participating employee has completed the approved course or activity, they should complete a Request for Reimbursement (Verification of Course Completion) with the following documents:
1. Attach the Professional Growth Course List Form (Sections I, II, and III must be completed). This form should be submitted as an Excel Spreadsheet. Please do not convert to PDF before you submit this document.
2. Proof of Completion: Official, unopened transcript or copy of the original certificate issued by the accredited university. Must pass with a C or better.
3. Proof of Payment: Redacted credit card or bank statement and original receipt from an accredited university.

REQUIRED PROGRAM FORMS

To participate in the program, classified employees must utilize the required online forms to submit their application, course list, and request for reimbursement.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

The District will budget and reimburse up to $150,000 annually for this program. Once this amount is reached, the committee will no longer approve reimbursements.

The District will reimburse the cost of tuition that a unit member incurs for courses taken at a regionally accredited university or college. Only the cost of tuition will be reimbursed. Unit members will be eligible for reimbursement of tuition costs in the following manner:

Units Completed Per Quarter/Semester	Maximum Reimbursable Tuition
1-6 Units	Up to $1,800.00 ($300.00/Unit)
7-15 Units	Up to $3,800.00 ($253.33/Unit)
One (1) semester unit equals one and a half (1.5) quarter units.

There is no limit on how many times a classified employee can be reimbursed for tuition expenses as long as the request is reviewed and approved by the committee and the employee is making progress toward their stated educational goal.

CERTIFICATE REIMBURSEMENT	STUDENT LOANS
The number of units obtained in a standard course, including hours and duration (semester/quarter), for the issuing College or University, serves as the basis for calculating the units applicable to the certificate program. The number of weeks is multiplied by the number of hours required to obtain the Certificate. The total Certificate Program hours and duration are compared to those of the Standard Quarter or Semester courses, and the applicable units are applied to the Certificate Program.	In cases where a unit member has not begun student loan repayments but has completed approved coursework, one payment will be issued, not to exceed the maximum per-quarter or per-semester amount. Divide the number of units (subject to maximum) by the maximum dollar amount for the quarter or semester. Quarter Units: $1800/6 Units = $300/Unit Semester Units: $3,800/15 Units = $253.33
EXAMPLE Certificate Program: Three (3) Hours Per Week for Twelve (12) Weeks Standard Course: Three (3) Hours Per Week for Twelve (12) Weeks earns three (3) Units Twelve (12) Weeks is equivalent to a Quarter	EXAMPLE Program Application for 24 Units approved June 2024 24 Units completed December 2025 Eight (8) Units/Semester; Three (3) Semesters - $200.00 Per Unit Student Loan Repayments begin June 2026
REIMBURSEMENT CALCULATION Certificate Program: $1,445.00 for Three (3) Units Employee Paid: $1,445.00/3 Units = $481.67 Per Unit Maximum Reimbursement: $300.00/Unit (Quarter) Total Reimbursement: $300.00 X 3 Units = $900.00 Employee Cost After Reimbursement: $545.00	REIMBURSEMENT CALCULATION Fall 2024: $200.00 X 8 Units = $1,600.00 Spring 2025: $200.00 X 8 Units = $1,600.00 Fall 2025: $200.00 X 8 Units = $1,600.00 Employee Paid: Deferred - Student Loans Maximum Reimbursement: $253.33/Unit (Semester) Total Reimbursement: $200/Unit X 24 Units = $4,800 Employee Cost After Reimbursement: $0.00

MATERIALS REIMBURSEMENT

The Professional Growth Committee will approve up to an additional $1,000 reimbursement annually for textbooks, computer, software, or other approved required related materials in lieu of tuition reimbursement. The same procedures and forms must be submitted to seek materials reimbursement including proof of payment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to submit my Program Application before I start the course(s) or activity?

When can I expect to receive reimbursement funds after I submit my Reimbursement Request form with Proof of Completion and Proof of Payment?

Is there a limit to the number of courses or activities that I may be reimbursed for through the program?

There is no limit as to how many instances a unit member can be reimbursed for tuition expenses as long as the request is reviewed and approved by the committee and the applicant is making progress towards their stated educational goal.

The district will budget and reimburse up to $150,000 for this program on an annual basis. Once this amount is reached, the committee will no longer approve reimbursements.

Do I have to be a member of the Teamsters Local 986 union to be eligible to participate in this program?

What is considered Proof of Completion?

What is considered Proof of Payment?