Updates to Professional or Staff Development (Page 17–18 Employee Handbook)

Professional or Staff Development Policy: DMA Professional or staff development activities are organized to meet the needs of employees and the District. Professional Development for instructional personnel is predominantly campus-based, related to achieving campus performance objectives, addressed in the campus improvement plan, and approved by a campus-level advisory committee, campus principal, director, and supervisory executive officer. Professional Development for non-instructional personnel is designed to meet the specific licensing requirements (e.g., bus drivers) and continued employee skill development.

Professional Development Leave Policy: Professional development leave is an essential opportunity for professional growth and must align with the employee's teaching assignment or certification requirements. Any professional development leave not pre-approved by the district, or not directly related to the employee’s teaching assignment or Texas Education Agency (TEA) certification requirements, will be deducted from the employee’s personal leave balance. Employees are required to obtain prior approval from their supervisor or the appropriate department to ensure the alignment of professional development activities with district needs and certification mandates. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the denial of leave or the reclassification of the absence as personal leave. Individuals holding renewable SBEC certificates are responsible for obtaining the required training hours and maintaining appropriate documentation.

Staff Development: New or returning employees to the district, are required to attend New Employee Orientation either at the beginning of the school year or at the start of the second semester. New teachers, or teachers new to the district, are required to attend T-TESS/SLO professional development training sessions either at the beginning of the school year or at the start of the second semester.