Tuition Reimbursement
Certificated Employees
For purposes of this article, in order to receive tuition reimbursement, advance written approval must be obtained via a SMCPS Tuition Reimbursement Request Form signed by the Director of Human Resources or designee prior to registration for any course. This form shall be made available on the SMCPS website for employee convenience.
Tuition reimbursement will be provided for appropriate courses leading toward (1) initial certification, (2) renewal of Standard Professional Certificate, (3) Advanced Professional Certificate, (4) Master's Degree, (5) continuation of other professional license or certificate required for employment, or (6) any other approved course work.
The reimbursement will not exceed the actual amount the employee paid for tuition.
Appropriate credit will be determined by the current requirements for certificates for administrators, supervisors and teachers, and by the current professional licensure and/or certification requirements for bargaining unit members. In order to receive tuition reimbursement for credits leading toward an Advanced Professional Certificate or a Master's Degree, the employee shall hold a valid Standard Professional Certificate or professional license/certificate for his/her present assignment.
To facilitate staff utilization of tuition benefits for professional development, SMCPS may negotiate agreements with universities for direct billing of course tuition for employees who are in a SMCPS approved program. Employees who are accepted in an approved program may apply for tuition to be billed to SMCPS. Staff must still apply for tuition reimbursement before registering for a class using a SMCPS Tuition Reimbursement Request Form. All other processes and limitations specified in this article still apply. SMCPS will pay for the portion of tuition that is approved (fees and materials are not included) and employees will be billed by the universities for the remaining balance.
Reimbursement for tuition shall not exceed $2,500 per year for 2010-2011, and $2,600 per year for 2011-2012. In determining whether the annual maximum reimbursement amount has been reached, the year to which the reimbursement applies will be based on the date of issuance of the grade slip for a completed course.
Upon completion of the course(s), in order to be reimbursed, the employee must submit both of the following to the Human Resources Department.
1. Official grade slip or transcript with a minimum grade of "C".
2. An official receipt verifying the actual tuition paid. This must be submitted to the Human Resources Department within forty-five (45) days following receipt of grade slip or transcript. If an extension is needed, the employee must request it in writing.
Based upon successful application process, tuition reimbursement may also be applied as a fee waiver up to the maximum yearly amount for the National Board Professional Teacher Certification (NBPTC).
Any certificated employee who leaves the Board's employ within one year after completion of a course for which they have received reimbursement shall re-pay the full amount of such reimbursement to the Board with advance written notice to the employee. The Board may deduct such re-payment from any remaining pay owed to the unit member. As described in Article VI, the employee will have the option when possible (based on remaining number of paychecks) to have the deduction divided into two or more paychecks. The Board will attempt to deduct the money evenly from remaining checks owed. This provision shall not apply in the case of a unit member who must leave the Board's employ due to military transfer, spousal job transfer necessitating a move of over 50 miles, personal or family illness, divorce or child custody issues, involuntary termination by Board of Education of St. Mary's County, non-renewal of non-tenured employees, or other cause approved by the Board of Education. If the employee who was granted a waiver pursuant to this subsection returns to a teaching position less than 50 miles away within one year of their leaving the Board's employment, they shall reimburse the Board according to the above provision unless they sought employment with the Board of Education of St. Mary's County and were not offered a teacher's contract. Any employee forced to replay such reimbursement shall have that same reimbursement reversed (tuition repaid) upon returning to the Board and successfully completing two more years of employment.
Non-Certificated Employees
This program is designed to provide training and advanced education for permanent non-certificated employees who wish to improve their performance in their present positions, in preparation for advancement, or as part of an approved career development plan.
Tuition reimbursement will be provided for appropriate courses leading to initial certification or license, renewal of certification or license, advance certification or license or degree. These courses will be limited to college credits, adult education courses sponsored by the Board, trade schools, or any combination thereof.
The reimbursement will not exceed the actual amount the employee paid for tuition.
For purposes of this article, in order to receive tuition reimbursement, advance written approval must be obtained via a SMCPS Tuition Reimbursement Request Form signed by the Director of Human Resources or designee prior to registration for any course. These forms shall be made available on the SMCPS website for employee convenience.
Regular reimbursement for tuition shall not exceed $2,500 per year for 2010-2011, and $2,600 per year for 2011-2012. In determining whether the annual maximum reimbursement amount has been reached, the year to which the reimbursement applies will be based on the date of issuance of the grade slip for a completed course.