Professional Report

occupancy, utilities, and transportation.

LEARNING CENTER, COMMUNITY

3302.16

A school district is authorized to initiate the transition of any school building under its control into a community learning center, which is defined as a school that “participates in a coordinated, community-based effort with community partners to provide comprehensive educational, developmental, family, and health services to students, families, and community members during school hours and hours in which school is not in session.” While a board of education is authorized, but not required, to initiate the process with public hearings, a public vote by parents and staff members and the formation of an action team to provide recommendations and oversight are required. Effective October 15, 2015, any provisions regarding the community learning center process prevail over any conflicting provisions of a collective bargaining agreement entered into after that date. However, the district board or community school governing authority and the bargaining unit may negotiate additional factors to be considered in the adoption of a community learning center plan. The board of education of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district and the board of governors of an educational service center are empowered to enter into lease-purchase agreements for constructing, enlarging, furnishing, and equipping facilities. If the board enters into a lease-purchase agreement, such agreement shall be for a series of one-year renewable leases which together will not exceed thirty years. The agreement shall provide that, at the end of the series of leases, the title to the property shall be vested with the school district or educational service center. The lease agreement may provide the payment of a lump sum payment as a condition for obtaining title to the leased property. Employee Request. A board of education may grant a leave of absence up to two consecutive years upon the written request of a teacher for educational, professional or other purpose. It must grant leave for illness or disability if the employee complies with local policy implementing the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which takes precedence over the collective bargaining agreement unless the local policy implementing FMLA exceeds federal guidelines. Any teacher returning from duty in the armed forces shall resume the contract status he or she enjoyed prior to entering the uniformed service, subject to passing a physical examination administered by a person authorized under law to conduct such an examination (including a physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse mid-wife). The teacher must be returned to duty at the start of the ensuing semester or school year. Non-request. A board may also grant a leave of absence without request because of physical or mental disability of an employee, but the staff member is entitled to a hearing on the unrequested leave in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Sections 3319.16 (teachers) and 3319.081 (non-teaching staff). A board of education may propose a “dual purpose” tax for current operating expenses and for permanent improvements. The resolution proposing the tax must specify the proposed tax rate and shall “apportion” the tax between operating expenses and the permanent

3302.17 3302.18

3302.17

LEASE-PURCHASE AGREEMENT

3313.375

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

3319.13

LEVY, COMBINATION

5705.217