Professional Growth

Are you interested in earning an additional 5% on your monthly paycheck? Are you planning to go back to school? All employees at Calexico Unified School District can apply for additional compensation.

This additional compensation is an award earned by a classified employee who successfully completes ten (10) semester units or the equivalent in academic courses. Course obtained must pertain to the employee’s specific classification or area of employment.

The Professional Growth Committee consists of:

• No more than five (5) full-time district employees.
• Four (4) members shall be from the Classified Service, appointed by the CSEA Chapter
• One (1) from the Administrative staff, appointed by the Superintendent.

• Prepare a course list for recommendation to the Superintendent containing representative courses for each classification of employees or groups of employees, such a list is not to be exclusive, but to serve as examples and guides only.
• Place unit values on all approved courses.
• Recommend additional or revised policy to the Superintendent for Board adoption as necessary (i.e., how many units of approved coursework constitute additional compensation increment, etc.)

• An additional compensation Award may be earned by a classified employee who successfully completes ten (10) semester units or the equivalent in academic courses taken in colleges, junior colleges, adult education, or other approved educational experiences such as attendance at institutes, lectures, workshops, seminars, or conferences sponsored by educational or professional associations. Course obtained must pertain to the employee’s specific classification or area of employment.
• Credit may be granted for courses not on the approved list when evidence that benefit will accrue to the District is shown (example: course outline) and when approved by the employee’s supervisor, the Director of Personnel, and the Superintendent (prior approval required prior enrollment).
• An employee who wishes to appeal his supervisor’s ruling with respect to the employee’s submission of individual research plans, or proposed courses for credit, and who wishes to have the matter reviewed in a hearing of the Professional Growth Committee, must present such request in writing to the Chairman of the Professional Growth Committee.
• Of the ten units required, not less than seven must relate to the employee’s specific classification or area of employment in the District. (All ten units may be in that area.)
• Credit may be granted only for courses successfully completed after July 1, 1970, during the first year of the program. After the first year of the program retroactive recognition is set at six (6) years and initiative and academic credits become outdated if not used within six (6) years.
• Participation in educational conventions, institutes, and conferences may be considered a part of this project. Credit will be allowed for participation if the District does not reimburse the participant for 51% or more of actual and necessary expenses, including mileage. A total contribution of ten- (10) hours of actual participation is required for one (1) growth point.
• No one shall receive credit for institutions, lectures, or conventions if these are attended during the working day and/or if the employee is being paid for other services at the same time without the prior approval of the Board of Trustees.
• Education required at the time of employment for the position may not count toward professional growth, except for promotional purposes.
• Incumbents in positions whose job specifications now require more educational training than that required at the time of employment shall be allowed credit for units that would have counted toward the requirement.
• One unit (or one semester hour) normally represents one hour per week during one semester in lecture or recitation work with necessary preparation time, or three hours per week in the laboratory or other work not requiring homework or other preparation.
• Credit for classes in adult education or other approved educational experiences will be equated as follows:

• Professional Growth will be capped at a maximum of 20%; Current employees can apply for two (2) additional awards of 5%, not to exceed 20%; New employees hired after July 1, 1999, can apply for one award of 5%. Thereafter they can apply for a one-time bonus of 5%.
• At least two (2) years must elapse before an additional increment may be granted.
• It is the responsibility of the employee to apply to the District Administration by May 1st that he/she will qualify for an award of additional compensation beginning the following July 1st. The 5% compensation shall become effective on the next July 1st, upon presentation of evidence of a grade of ‘C’ or better on completion of courses. (10 units)
• It is the responsibility of the employee to apply to the District Administration for credit for courses taken and to present evidence of successful completion of courses.
• Attachment A, List of Approved Courses, is a representative list of courses currently offered at nearby colleges, private institutions, the Regional Occupations Program, and adult education courses at high schools. The Classified Professional Growth Program Committee will revise the list.
• Upon the promotion of a Classified employee to a higher range, his/her professional growth program will commence without carryover of credits earned on the previous range.
• Limit course selection to 9 units per subject area.

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Click on the links below to obtain more information about the CUSD Professional Growth program and how to submit your application.