Transcription
2022-2023
Table of ContentEmployee Handbook Acknowledgement . 5Introduction . 6District Information . 6District Map . 8Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives . 9Board of Trustees . 10Administration . 18Helpful Contacts. 20School Directory . 21Employment . 24Equal Employment Opportunity. 24Job Vacancy Announcements. 25Employment after Retirement . 25Contract and Noncontract Employment . 26Certification and Licenses . 26Recertification of Employment Authorization . 27Searches and Alcohol and Drug Testing . 27Health Safety Training . 28Reassignments and Transfers. 28Workload and Work Schedules . 29Alternative Methods of Learning . 29Breaks for Expression of Breast Milk . 30Outside Employment and Tutoring . 30Performance Evaluation . 31Staff Development . 31Compensation and Benefits . 32Salaries, Wages, and Stipends . 32Paychecks. 32Automatic Payroll Deposit . 33Payroll Deductions . 33Overtime Compensation . 34Travel Expense Reimbursement . 35Health, Dental, and Life Insurance . 35Supplemental Insurance Benefits. 36Cafeteria Plan Benefits (Section 125) . 37Workers’ Compensation Insurance . 37Unemployment Compensation Insurance . 37Teacher Retirement . 37COBRA . 38Other Benefit Programs . 38Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20222
Leaves and Absences. 40Personal Leave . 41State Sick Leave. 42Local Leave . 43Vacation . 44Gators Helping Gators . 45Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)—General Provisions. 50Local Procedures for Implementing Family and Medical Leave Provisions . 52Temporary Disability Leave . 53Workers’ Compensation Benefits. 53Assault Leave . 54Bereavement Leave . 54Jury Duty . 54Compliance with a Subpoena . 55Truancy Court Appearances . 55Religious Observance . 55Military Leave . 55Employee Relations and Communications. 57Employee Recognition and Appreciation . 57District Communications . 58Complaints and Grievances . 59Employee Conduct and Welfare . 66Standards of Conduct . 66Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation . 69Harassment of Students . 70Reporting Suspected Child Abuse . 71Sexual Abuse and Maltreatment of Children . 72Reporting Crime . 72Scope and Sequence . 72Technology Resources. 73Personal Use of Electronic Communications . 73Electronic Communications between Employees, Students,and Parents . 74Public Information on Private Devices . 77Criminal History Background Checks . 77Employee Arrests and Convictions . 77Alcohol and Drug‐Abuse Prevention . 78Tobacco Products and E‐Cigarette Use . 78Fraud and Financial Impropriety . 78Conflict of Interest . 79Gifts and Favors . 79Copyrighted Materials. 80Associations and Political Activities. 80Charitable Contributions . 80Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20223
Safety . 81Possession of Firearms and Weapons . 81Visitors in the Workplace . 82Asbestos Management Plan. 82Pest Control Treatment. 82Dress and Grooming . 82General Procedures . 83Emergency School Closing. 83Emergencies. 83Purchasing Procedures. 84Name and Address Changes. 84Personnel Records . 84Employment Verification . 85Facility Use . 85Staff Meal Charges . 86Termination of Employment . 87Resignations . 87Dismissal or Nonrenewal of Contract Employees . 87Dismissal of Noncontract Employees . 88Discharge of Convicted Employees . 88Exit Surveys and Procedures . 88Reports to Texas Education Agency . 89Reports Concerning Court‐Ordered Withholding . 90Student Issues . 91Equal Educational Opportunities. 91Student Records . 91Parent and Student Complaints . 92Administering Medication to Students. 92Dietary Supplements . 92Psychotropic Drugs . 93Student Conduct and Discipline . 93Student Attendance . 93Bullying . 93Hazing . 94Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20224
Employee Handbook AcknowledgementI hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Dickinson ISD Employee Handbook. I agree toread the handbook and abide by the standards, policies, and procedures defined or referencedin this document.Employees have the option of receiving the handbook in electronic format or hard copy.To access the handbook in electronic format: Visit: www.dickinsonisd.org Select STAFFor Select Employee Handbook Select Department, Human Resources QuicklinksThe Handbook Acknowledgment will be provided in the Back‐to‐School Checklist via TalentEdRecords with the following options: I choose to receive the employee handbook in electronic format and acceptresponsibility for accessing it according to the instructions provided. I choose to receive a hard copy of the employee handbook and understand I amrequired to contact Human Resources to obtain a hard copy.The information in this handbook is subject to change. I understand that changes in districtpolicies may supersede, modify, or render obsolete the information summarized in thisdocument. As the district provides updated policy information, I accept responsibility forreading and abiding by the changes.I understand that no modifications to contractual relationships or alterations of at‐willemployment relationships are intended by this handbook.I understand that I have an obligation to inform my supervisor or department head of anychanges in personal information such as phone number, address, etc. I also acceptresponsibility for contacting my supervisor or the Executive Director of Human Resources if Ihave questions or concerns or need further explanation.Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20225
IntroductionThe purpose of this handbook is to provide information that will help with questions and pavethe way for a successful year. Not all district policies and procedures are included. Those thatare, have been summarized. Suggestions for additions and improvements to this handbook arewelcome and may be sent to Kimberly Rich, Executive Director of Human Resources.This handbook is neither a contract nor a substitute for the official district policy manual. Nor isit intended to alter the at‐will status of noncontract employees in any way. Rather, it is a guideto, and a brief explanation of district policies and procedures related to employment. Thesepolicies and procedures can change at any time; these changes shall supersede any handbookprovisions that are not compatible with the change. For more information, employees mayrefer to the policy codes that are associated with handbook topics, confer with their supervisor,or call the appropriate district office. District policies can be accessed online atwww.dickinsonisd.org.District InformationPublic education in Dickinson began in 1891 in a single schoolhouse located near DickinsonBayou and what is now Highway 3. The school district was organized into an independentschool district in 1941, when it had an enrollment of 541 students. In 1953, the Dickinsonpublic schools consolidated with the Bacliff‐San Leon schools to create the District as it isconfigured today.Located halfway between Houston and Galveston on the Texas Gulf Coast, the Dickinson ISDnow serves approximately 11,600 students in 14 different schools who live in the cities ofDickinson, League City and Texas City and the unincorporated towns of Bacliff and San Leon.To help accommodate the growing student enrollment, voters have approved six bond issues inthe past two decades totaling more than 410 million, which has provided several newcampuses as well as renovations and expansions on other campuses. The most recently bondreferendum was approved in November 2020. The largest project included in the 2020 bond isfor the construction of the district’s third junior high, tentatively scheduled to open in August2023.In 2019, Dickinson ISD celebrated the opening of a ninth grade building on the campus ofDickinson High School. Located at the corner of Baker Drive and FM 517, this new buildinghouses up to 900 high school freshmen helps alleviate the growing high school studentenrollment. Kranz Junior High opened in August 2018 as the district’s second junior high. It isnamed for Eugene “Gene” Kranz, a long‐time Dickinson resident and NASA pioneer who servedas Mission Control Flight Director for Gemini and Apollo programs. Kranz Junior High serveshalf of the district’s students in grades 7‐8 and is also home to the junior high STEM Academy.The STEM Academy, which is also available to students in grades 5‐6, is open to studentsthroughout the district to apply and is designed to increase student achievement by engagingDickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20226
students in innovative science, technology, engineering and math instruction.The district includes seven elementary campuses, Bay Colony Elementary, Calder RoadElementary, Hughes Road Elementary, K.E. Little Elementary, Lobit Elementary, San LeonElementary and Silbernagel Elementary, which serve pre‐kindergarten through grade four indesignated attendance zones. Barber Middle School, Dunbar Middle School and Lobit MiddleSchool are home to the district’s fifth and sixth grade students. Seventh and eighth gradestudents attend Kranz Junior High and McAdams Junior High and students in grades 9‐12attend Dickinson High School. The Dickinson Continuation Center (DCC) provides students witha non‐ traditional academic learning environment in order to earn a high school diploma. Thecampus works with students who due to family, work or other issues might not otherwise everobtain a high school diploma. The Dickinson Alternative Learning Center (DALC) serves assignedstudents. The district also offers the Gator Academy which provides employees with a cost‐effective daycare option for their children ages six weeks to five years.Dickinson ISD covers 61 square miles, which is much more than the City of Dickinsonboundaries. The district’s boundaries on the north take in portions of Tuscan Lakes on bothsides of Highway 96. To the south, the district goes all the way to the Gulf Greyhound DogTrack on both sides of I‐45 and includes the new Tanger Outlet Mall and the new Lago Marsubdivision, which will surround the outlet mall. Galveston Bay, including the communities ofBacliff and San Leon, is the district’s eastern boundary. To the west, the district goes up toCemetery Road and includes all the new communities in the Bay Colony area.Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20227
District MapDickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20228
Mission Statement, Goals, and ObjectivesPolicy AEOur Mission:Dickinson ISD will equip and empower all learners with skills and experiences to achieveacademic excellence and make meaningful contributions to our worldOur Vision:Inclusive of all, DickinsonISD will cultivate excellence, producing confident, collaborative, goal‐driven learners who become empowered citizens in a global society.Our Objectives:All students will learn and apply life skills to meaningfully engage and impact their community.All students will graduate college, career, and /or military ready.All students will develop the communication skills necessary to work in a collaborativeenvironment.All students will learn to self‐advocate by developing confidence in their ability to determinetheir own path for success.All students will develop innovative technological skills and interact responsibly in a constantlyevolving global society.All students will demonstrate the ability to face adversity with perseverance, integrity, andleadership.All students will demonstrate social and emotional skills and model positive character traits.Our District Goals:The Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the administration of DISD, establishes theseDistrict Goals:Goal 1:Goal 2:Goal 3:DISD will provide effective teaching and learning experiences for all studentsthat will result in continuous success.DISD will provide a physically and emotionally safe, healthy, and equitableenvironment.DISD will make family and community partnerships a priority.Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 20229
Goal 4:Goal 5:DISD will recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and effective staff committedto personal and professional growth focusing on student needs.DISD will provide operational services to support the success of studentlearning.Board of TrusteesPolicies BA, BB series, BD series, and BE seriesTexas law grants the board of trustees the power to govern and oversee the management ofthe district’s schools. The board is the policy‐making body within the district and has overallresponsibility for the curriculum, school taxes, and annual budget, employment of thesuperintendent and other professional staff, and facilities. The board has complete and finalcontrol over school matters within limits established by state and federal laws and regulations.The board of trustees is elected by the citizens of the district to represent the community’scommitment to a strong educational program for the district’s children. Board members areelected by the school district’s registered voters and serve three‐year terms. Board membersserve without compensation, must be qualified voters, and must reside in the district.Current board members include: Corey Magliolo, President Jessica Rodriguez, Vice President Veanna Veasey, Secretary Jeff Pittman, Trustee Mike Mackey, Trustee Mary Anthamatten, Trustee Fritzie Samford, TrusteeThe board usually meets monthly at the Educational Support Center, 2218 FM 517 East.Scheduled meetings can be found T%20Meeting%20Dates%202020‐20201 FINAL.pdfIn the event that large attendance is anticipated, the board may meet at an alternate location.Special meetings may be called when necessary. A written notice of regular and specialmeetings will be posted on the district website and at the Educational Support Center at least72 hours before the scheduled meeting time. The written notice will show the date, time, place,and subjects of each meeting. In emergencies, a meeting may be held with a one‐hour notice.All meetings are open to the public. In certain circumstances, Texas law permits the board to gointo a closed session from which the public and others are excluded. Closed sessions may occurfor such things as discussing prospective gifts or donations, real‐property acquisition, certainpersonnel matters including employee complaints, security matters, student discipline, orconsulting with attorneys regarding pending litigation.Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 202210
Dickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 202211
Dickinson ISDDistrict of Innovation PlanIntroductionHouse Bill 1842, created and passed during the 84th Texas Legislative Session in spring 2015,provides a unique opportunity for Texas public school districts to exempt themselves fromsome parts of the Texas Education Code. In order to do this, a public school district must adoptan innovation plan, as set forth in Texas Education Code Chapter 12 A.As a District of Innovation, Dickinson ISD may be exempted from a number of state statutes andwill have: greater local control as the decision makers over the educational and instructionalmodel for students;increased freedom and flexibility, with accountability, relative to state mandates thatgovern educational programming; andpower to innovate and think differently.HB 1842 does not allow exemptions from statutes including curriculum and graduationrequirements or academic and financial accountability.District of Innovation Process and Timeline March 31, 2016 – Special presentation for Dickinson ISD district and campusadministrators by David Anthony, Raise Your Hand TexasApril 27, 2016 – District of Innovation presentation with David Anderson at Region IV fordistrict administratorsFall 2016 – Review of district plans submitted for District of InnovationNovember 15, 2016 – CAPE meeting to review and discuss District of Innovation Plansdeveloped by districts in the Gulf Coast area of Region IVDecember 12, 2016 – District of Innovation Resolution passed by Dickinson ISD Board ofTrustees and the District Educational Improvement Committee designated as the localinnovation committeeDecember 12, 2016 – Public Hearing to discuss purpose for District of InnovationDecember 13, 2016 – Letter from Superintendent to all district employees and teacherprofessional organizations informing of the district’s intent to pursue District ofInnovationDickinson ISD Employee HandbookRevised July 202212
December 13, 2016 – DOI process and timeline shared with DEIC members and postedon district websiteDecember 15, 2016 – DOI process and timeline shared with campus and districtadministratorsJanuary 3‐6, 2017 – Draft plan developed by DOI subcommitteeJanuary 9, 2017 – District of Innovation update provided to Board of TrusteesJanuary 10, 2017 – DISD District of Innovation Public MeetingJanuary 10, 2017 – Draft District of Innovation Plan reviewed by DISD DistrictEducational Improvement CommitteeJanuary 12, 2017 – February 12, 2017 – Dickinson ISD’s District of Innovation Planposted on the DISD website; concurrently, the plan will be submitted to Texas EducationAgency Commissioner, Mike MorathMarch 6, 2017 – DISD District of Innovation Plan submitted to DISD Board of Trustees forapprovalMarch‐April 2017 – Updates of all DOI related local and legal policies will be reviewed,revised and submitted to the Dickinson ISD Board of Trustees for approval.TermDickinson ISD will be recognized as a District of Innovation for a term of five years, renewablewithin six months of the plan’s expiration date of February 2022. If, within the term of the plan,other areas of operations are to be considered for flexibility as part of HB 1842, the Board ofTrustees will appoint a committee to consider and propose additional exemptions in the formof an amendment. The plan is amendable by a majority vote of the District EducationalImprovement Committee and Board of Trustees. Any amendment adopted by the Board willadhere to the same term as the original plan. Dickinson ISD will not implement two separateplans at any one time.Innovation PlanDickinson ISD proposes flexibility and seeks an exemption in the following areas:Teacher CertificationTexas Education Code §21.003, §21.044, §21.053, DBA(LEGAL), DBA(LOCAL), DK(LEGAL),DK(LOCAL), DK(EXHIBIT)§21.055
Dickinson ISD Employee Handbook Revised July 2022 5 Employee Handbook Acknowledgement I hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Dickinson ISD Employee Handbook. I agree to read the handbook and abide by the standards, policies, and procedures defined or referenced in this document.
