ARTICLE XVIII – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- 18.01 Effective September 1, 2024, the Board shall allocate funds each school year in the amount of $108,000 for the purpose of funding Professional Development activities to be administered by the Union. The union will submit twice per year a request with itemized expenses that includes the name of employee, employee number, amount, and description of the expense to be paid out of this fund by the Board. Additionally, the Board will pay an administration fee totaling 5% of the expenses claimed to the Union. The payment will be issued within 30 days. The Union will retain supporting documentation for a period of 7 years should the Board be required to audit.
- 18.02 If the Board requires a teacher to attend a conference, convention, workshop or course, the Board shall reimburse such teacher for pre-authorized expenses.
- 18.03 Any activity requiring a teacher to be absent from their assigned duties requires prior approval from the principal.
Click here to access the GEETF Application for Legacy PD Funds
GEETF Members may apply for legacy PD funds under the following categories:
- An AQ/ ABQ course (Principal’s Qualification Program (PQP) is not approved for use of PD Funds).
- An in-person workshop/ course subsidy (subject to a maximum claim of $1000 excluding the cost of release for time to attend).
- purchase of a resource.
- the cost of release time to work job shadow/ work with a planning partner or visit another classroom.
- Wellness, to a maximum of $250.
- Technology (hardware), to a maximum of $250.
- The Union Steward is to promote and assist members in applying for GEETF Legacy Professional Development funds.
- If release time is required for a PD Funds activity, prior approval by a GEETF member’s Administrator is required. Booking an occasional teacher is the responsibility of the GEETF Member. Release time should not be unreasonably denied.
- Any GEETF member wishing to use the Legacy P.D. funds must submit their application to the GEETF office through the online application form.
- Upon approval of your application, members receive a link to the expense claim form. Receipts should be scanned and uploaded electronically. Expenses must be submitted within 30 days of completion of the activity.
- All expense claims must be submitted by the deadline of May 23, 2025.
- No new Legacy PD Funds applications and expense claims will be received after May 23rd, 2025. New online PD Legacy applications will open the first week of the following instructional year.
- Once your PD Legacy Funds application has been approved, and if OT coverage is required, instructions will follow on how to book your Occasional Teachers (OT).