{
"_metadata": {
"source": "https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Policy/ViewPolicy.aspx?S=36030397&revid=plusUL9bGxslshRFQDCBSX7QjVmQ==",
"scrapedAt": "2026-05-24T20:11:49.868Z",
"method": "Playwright + Simbli ViewPolicy API scraper"
},
"code": "4161.3",
"title": "Professional Leaves",
"type": "BP",
"section": "4000",
"lastRevised": "04/01/2026",
"lastReviewed": "04/01/2026",
"hasAttachment": false,
"revid": "plusUL9bGxslshRFQDCBSX7QjVmQ==",
"contentHtml": "\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\nCertificated Employees \n \nThe Governing Board recognizes that a broad range of experiences can strengthen an employee's ability to meet the educational needs of the district's students. \n \nThe Governing Board may grant a professional leave of absence for up to one year to certificated employees for the purpose of permitting study or travel which will benefit the schools and students of the district. No more than one such leave of absence may be granted to an employee in a seven-year period. (Education Code 44966, 44967) \n \nTo be eligible for a professional leave of absence, an employee must have served in the district for at least seven consecutive years preceding the leave. For this purpose, any prior professional leave taken by an employee shall be deemed a break in the employee's service. No other type of leave authorized by the Governing Board, and no service by the employee for one year or less under a national recognized fellowship or foundation approved by the State Board of Education for research, teaching, or lecturing, shall be deemed a break in the employee's service. (Education Code 44967) \n \nRather than granting a professional leave for a continuous one-year period, the Governing Board may require that the leave be taken in separate six-month periods or separate quarters, provided that the total leave is completed within three years. Any period of service by the employee between the separate periods of leave shall comprise a part of the service required for a subsequent leave of absence. (Education Code 44966) \n \nAs a condition of being granted professional leave, the employee shall agree in writing to render service in the district following their return for a period equal to twice the period of the leave. (Education Code 44969) \n \nThe Governing Board and employee may agree in writing to have the employee perform services for the district during the professional leave. (Education Code 44968) \n \nUnless the employee agrees in writing with the Governing Board not to receive compensation during the leave, the employee shall receive such compensation during the leave as the Governing Board and employee agree upon in writing, which shall not be less than the difference between the employee's salary and the salary of a substitute employee in the position which the employee held prior to the granting of the leave. In lieu of such a difference, the Governing Board may pay one-half of the salary of the employee or any additional amount up to and including the full salary of the employee. (Education Code 44968, 44968.5) \n \nCompensation during the leave shall be paid in the manner authorized by Education Code 44969 and 44970. If the employee does not serve for the entire period of post-leave service, the amount of compensation paid for the leave shall be reduced by an amount which bears the same proportion to the total compensation as the amount of time which was not served bears to the total amount of time agreed upon. If the employee furnished an indemnity bond, upon default, the proceeds of the bond shall be divided between the employee and the school district in the same proportion as the actual amount of time served bears to the amount of time agreed upon. (Education Code 44970) \n \nAt the end of the professional leave, the employee shall be reinstated in the position they held when the leave was granted, unless otherwise agreed upon by the employee. (Education Code 44973)\n\n",
"contentText": "Certificated Employees\n\nThe Governing Board recognizes that a broad range of experiences can strengthen an employee's ability to meet the educational needs of the district's students.\n\nThe Governing Board may grant a professional leave of absence for up to one year to certificated employees for the purpose of permitting study or travel which will benefit the schools and students of the district. No more than one such leave of absence may be granted to an employee in a seven-year period. (Education Code 44966, 44967)\n\nTo be eligible for a professional leave of absence, an employee must have served in the district for at least seven consecutive years preceding the leave. For this purpose, any prior professional leave taken by an employee shall be deemed a break in the employee's service. No other type of leave authorized by the Governing Board, and no service by the employee for one year or less under a national recognized fellowship or foundation approved by the State Board of Education for research, teaching, or lecturing, shall be deemed a break in the employee's service. (Education Code 44967)\n\nRather than granting a professional leave for a continuous one-year period, the Governing Board may require that the leave be taken in separate six-month periods or separate quarters, provided that the total leave is completed within three years. Any period of service by the employee between the separate periods of leave shall comprise a part of the service required for a subsequent leave of absence. (Education Code 44966)\n\nAs a condition of being granted professional leave, the employee shall agree in writing to render service in the district following their return for a period equal to twice the period of the leave. (Education Code 44969)\n\nThe Governing Board and employee may agree in writing to have the employee perform services for the district during the professional leave. (Education Code 44968)\n\nUnless the employee agrees in writing with the Governing Board not to receive compensation during the leave, the employee shall receive such compensation during the leave as the Governing Board and employee agree upon in writing, which shall not be less than the difference between the employee's salary and the salary of a substitute employee in the position which the employee held prior to the granting of the leave. In lieu of such a difference, the Governing Board may pay one-half of the salary of the employee or any additional amount up to and including the full salary of the employee. (Education Code 44968, 44968.5)\n\nCompensation during the leave shall be paid in the manner authorized by Education Code 44969 and 44970. If the employee does not serve for the entire period of post-leave service, the amount of compensation paid for the leave shall be reduced by an amount which bears the same proportion to the total compensation as the amount of time which was not served bears to the total amount of time agreed upon. If the employee furnished an indemnity bond, upon default, the proceeds of the bond shall be divided between the employee and the school district in the same proportion as the actual amount of time served bears to the amount of time agreed upon. (Education Code 44970)\n\nAt the end of the professional leave, the employee shall be reinstated in the position they held when the leave was granted, unless otherwise agreed upon by the employee. (Education Code 44973)",
"footnotes": [
{
"type": "State",
"references": [
{
"code": "Ed. Code 44966-44976",
"description": "Leaves of absence for study or travel",
"url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&division=3.&title=2.&part=25.&chapter=4.&article=3."
}
]
},
{
"type": "Management Resources",
"references": [
{
"code": "Website",
"description": "CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services",
"url": "https://legalservices.csba.org/"
}
]
}
],
"crossRefs": [
{
"code": "4112.2",
"title": "Certification",
"type": "AR"
},
{
"code": "4112.2",
"title": "Certification",
"type": "AR"
},
{
"code": "4131",
"title": "Staff Development",
"type": "AR"
},
{
"code": "4131",
"title": "Staff Development",
"type": "AR"
},
{
"code": "4161",
"title": "Leaves",
"type": "AR"
},
{
"code": "4261",
"title": "Leaves",
"type": "AR"
},
{
"code": "4361",
"title": "Leaves",
"type": "AR"
}
],
"attachments": []
}