Superintendent’s Message re: Leave Requests

Dear Colleagues,  

I am pleased to share that our overall substitute rates have been trending in a positive direction since the start of January, when we were most impacted by COVID-related staff and substitute gaps. We are closely monitoring substitute fill rates for the week of April 11-15, with the potential for substitute shortfalls due to the religious/cultural observance and Spring Break in our neighboring school districts. It is important that we plan ahead so that we do not disrupt teaching and learning. To assist in that planning, I am asking all staff to please submit any leave requests for the week of April 11 to both MyTime and SmartFind (if applicable) by March 16. This includes personal, administrative, sick (for previously scheduled medical appointments), or religious leave requests.  

We will be using an all hands on deck approach to support schools with any critical operational needs due to sub shortages that week. With the exception of requests for religious leave, I am directing principals and program managers to only approve leave that does not create an unacceptable disruption to teaching and learning.

For the week of April 11, any personal or religious leave requests that are made after the March 16 deadline will only be considered if they do not create a critical need in the school, including an unfilled substitute position. With principal/ program manager permission, staff may bring children to work the week of April 11 so long as it does not create a disruption or interfere with their job responsibilities and there is space to accommodate the child. Requests for time off to care for a well child who needs supervision due to another school’s break should be coded as personal leave in alignment with our regulations. In building our calendar for next year, our spring break has been aligned with neighboring districts so these types of challenges will be reduced in future years.

I appreciate all of your support. If you have any questions, please speak with your principal or program manager. 

 Sincerely,

Scott Brabrand

Superintendent of Schools