15-510. Authorization of leaves of absence; application; preservation of rights

A. The governing board may authorize leaves of absence for school district personnel when it deems such leaves of absence to be reasonable and for good cause and not detrimental to education within the school district.

B. Leaves of absence shall be limited to a period of not to exceed one year.

C. Leaves of absence shall be granted upon application stating the purpose of the leave of absence, the facts as to its necessity or advisability and other information helpful to the governing board in making a determination as to whether the leave should be granted.

D. Sabbatical leaves of absence may be granted by the governing board to certificated teachers and administrators under this section upon the following additional conditions for the following purposes only:

1. Sabbatical leave of absence may be granted only for the purposes of continuing professional education.

2. Sabbatical leave may not exceed a period of one year and may only be granted to a certificated teacher or an administrator who has been employed by the school district for a period of seven consecutive years immediately prior to the time the sabbatical leave is to commence, and who has not previously been granted a sabbatical leave of absence by the governing board.

3. The governing board may authorize a salary to be paid to the person to whom sabbatical leave is granted of not to exceed one-half of the salary then received by him.

4. The salary shall be paid to such person upon the condition that he shall return not later than one year after commencement of the sabbatical leave for renewal of employment for at least one school year, and unless he returns within such period, he shall repay to the school district the amount paid to him during the leave period, and, unless such amount is so paid, the governing board shall direct the county attorney to institute suit against such person to collect such amount.

E. If leave is granted, all rights prescribed in sections 15-538.01, 15-539 through 15-544 and 15-547 for certificated teachers who have been employed by the school district for more than the major portion of three consecutive school years and all rights of retirement, accrued leave with pay, salary increments and other benefits provided by law shall be preserved and available to the employee after the termination of the leave of absence.