Suspension Without Pay
When a permanent certificated employee's unprofessional conduct is not considered serious enough to warrant dismissal, he/she may be suspended without pay on grounds of unprofessional conduct, following procedures designated in Education Code 44932-44938.
Prior to any disciplinary action on charges leading to suspension without pay on the grounds of unprofessional conduct, the Superintendent or designee shall give the employee written notice. This written notice shall: (Education Code 44938)
1. Indicate the nature of the employee's unprofessional conduct
2. Cite specific instances of unprofessional behavior
3. Give the employee a 45-day opportunity to correct the misconduct and overcome the ground(s) for the charge(s)
4. Include the evaluation made pursuant to Education Code 44660-44665, if applicable
(cf. 4115 - Evaluation/Supervision)
Mandatory Leave of Absence
Upon being informed that a certificated employee has been charged with a "mandatory leave of absence offense," the Superintendent or designee shall immediately place the employee on a leave of absence. A mandatory leave of absence offense includes: (Education Code 44830.1, 44940)
1. Any sex offense as defined in Education Code 44010
2. Any offense involving the unlawful sale, use, or exchange to minors of controlled substances as listed in Health and Safety Code 11054, 11055, and 11056, with the exception of marijuana, mescaline, peyote, or tetrahydrocannabinols
(cf. 4117.7 - Employee Status Reports)
Upon receipt of notification from the Department of Justice by telephone that a current temporary, substitute, or probationary employee serving before March 15 of the his/her second probationary year has been convicted of a violent or serious felony, that employee shall be immediately placed on leave without pay. Upon receipt of written electronic notification of the conviction from the Department of Justice, such employee shall be automatically terminated and without regard to any other termination procedure. (Education Code 44830.1)
(cf. 4112.5/4312.5 - Criminal Record Check)
An employee's compulsory leave may extend for not more than 10 days after the entry of judgment in the proceedings. However, the Governing Board may extend a certificated employee's compulsory leave by giving notice, within 10 days after the entry of judgment in the proceedings, that the employee will be dismissed within 30 days from the date of service of the notice unless he/she demands a hearing. (Education Code 44940, 44940.5)
(cf. 4117.4 - Dismissal)
Employee compensation during the period of compulsory leave shall be made in accordance with Education Code 44940.5.
Optional Leave of Absence
The Board may require an immediate compulsory leave of absence when a certificated employee is charged with an "optional leave of absence offense" as specified in law. Such employees shall be subject to the same requirements specified in Education Code 44940.5 regarding extension of the leave, furnishing of a bond, and payment of salaries for employees charged with mandatory leave of absence offenses. (Education Code 44940, 44940.5)
Protection of a Student's Free Speech or Press Rights
An employee shall not be suspended, disciplined, reassigned, transferred, dismissed, or otherwise retaliated against solely for acting to protect a student, or for refusing to infringe on a student's protected conduct, when that student is exercising his/her free speech or press rights pursuant to Education Code 48907 or 48950. (Education Code 48907, 48950)
(cf. 4119.1/4219.1/4319.1 - Civil and Legal Rights)
(cf. 5145.2 - Freedom of Speech/Expression)
Regulation SANTA CLARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: August 22, 2013 Santa Clara, California