Teacher Contract - Coventry Public Schools

A teacher, by reason of the birth of his/her child or adoption of his/her child under the age
of sixteen (16) years, shall be entitled to elect parental leave for up to one (1) year after the birth
or placement with the teacher in connection with adoption proceedings. Parental leave shall be
without pay. A teacher electing parental leave must notify the School Committee in writing at
least thirty (30) school days prior to the commencement of his/her leave whenever possible. The
teacher must return at the beginning of the next school year in September. If the teacher
commences parental leave after December 1 of any year, he/she may take such parental leave in
excess of one (1) year in order to provide for a return at the beginning of the school year in
September of the following calendar year. A teacher electing this opinion shall notify the
Superintendent in writing prior to February 1 of the school year in which the leave terminates of
his/her intentions for the ensuing school year. If the leave commences after February 1, the
teacher shall notify the Superintendent prior to the end of the school year. The provisions of
Section 3-3.2 shall govern upon the teacher’s return from parental leave.
The School Committee will maintain any existing health benefits in force for the first
thirteen (13) consecutive work weeks of parental leave for teachers who have been employed for
one (1) year. Thereafter, a teacher electing parental leave shall be afforded the opportunity to
continue health benefit coverage at his/her own expense. Life insurance coverage may also be
maintained during the period of parental leave at the expense of the teacher. Premiums due to
the School District for continued health and life insurance coverage shall be paid by the teacher
in accordance with billing procedures set forth by the School District. Failure by the teacher to
pay the premiums when due shall result in the cancellation of coverage.
3-24.3. No service credit as outlined in Section 3-13 shall be established for any period
of time taken as parental leave.
3-25. Notice of Return from Leave
A teacher on leave for a period of one year or more shall notify the District of his/her
intention to return on or before the first day of February immediately preceding the
commencement of the next school year.
4-1. Class Size
ARTICLE 4
WORKING CONDITIONS
The School Committee and the Superintendent shall make every reasonable effort insofar
as the availability of funds allow for additional school construction, to maintain class sizes at the
following levels.
4-1.1. Elementary
It is agreed that in recognition of special needs of some students that the administration
will strive to maintain a fair and reasonable distribution of student placement in regards to those
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