Series 5000 - Personnel topics

5000 -EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education and its employees shall not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, or student because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

5005 -EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL

The Board of Education will employ the best candidate for the job.

5006 -ADVERTISING VACANCIES

All vacancies occurring during the school year shall be posted in each school a minimum of five work days before filling of said vacancies

5010 -EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education will not place any new employee or fill any vacant position with an employee who would be under the direct supervision of a member of that employee's immediate family.

5015 -CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education believes that a safe and secure learning and working environment should be provided for all students and staff.

5020 -HEALTH CERTIFICATE REQUIRED

 Every new employee and any employee who is separated from employment for more than one year shall file a completed health certificate with the Superintendent upon initial employment.

5030 -ASSIGNMENT, PROMOTION AND TRANSFER OF PERSONNEL

The Superintendent is authorized to assign teachers and other employees of the schools to appropriate positions and is authorized to reorganize and arrange the administrative and supervisory staff as best serves the Durham Public Schools.

5100 -GENERAL CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

School system employees hold positions of public trust; they are responsible for the education of students, and also serve as examples and role models to students.

5105 -EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

All faculty and employees of the Durham Public Schools serve as role models for students with whom they work and as leaders in the community.

5110 -ADVERTISEMENTS AND SALES IN THE SCHOOLS

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education appreciates the contribution of useful products and services by private enterprise to the schools.

5120 -UNDUE INFLUENCE

School employees shall not use their positions or assignments to unfairly or unduly influence students

5125 -SEXUAL HARASSMENT

All employees and students are entitled to work and study in school-related environments that are free of sexual harassment.

5130 -PROHIBITED RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS

All employees, volunteers, and student teachers of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education are prohibited from dating, courting, or entering into a romantic or sexual relationship with any student enrolled in the Durham Public School system.

5135 -DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

It is the policy of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education that a drug-free workplace shall be maintained.

5140 -DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING ALL EMPLOYEES

The Board requires all employees to maintain a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.

5145 -DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS

The purpose of this policy is to help ensure safe operation of school vehicles and to comply with federal law and regulations by establishing a comprehensive program of drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers and all other commercial motor vehicle operators employed by the Board of Education.

5150 -INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE BY EMPLOYEES

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education's computer resources are owned by the school system.

5200 -COMMUNICABLE DISEASES OR CONDITIONS - EMPLOYEES

It is the policy of the Board of Education to provide a safe and secure environment for all students and employees.

5205 -BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

In accordance with the regulations established by the United States Department of Labor pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, the Durham Public Schools shall have in effect a Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

5215 -REPORTING INFORMATION TO EXTERNAL AGENCIES

It is the policy of the Board of Education in serious matters relating to the safety and welfare of students and employees that certain actions and information be reported to external agencies as required by law or regulation.

5230 -OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT/CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Responsibilities related to employment with the Durham Public Schools shall take precedence over any form of outside employment.

5235 -PERSONNEL FILES

The Superintendent shall maintain a personnel file for each Board employee.

5245 -EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCES

The intent of this policy is to secure, at the lowest possible level, equitable solutions to problems affecting employees.

5255 -LEAVE

Employee leave shall be subject to the rules and regulations adopted by the North Carolina State Board of Education, and state and federal law.

5260 -USE OF IN-SCHOOL PERSONNEL MAILBOXES

Boxes for the use of local school faculty and staff for receiving notices, mail, etc. are part of school property and are under the jurisdiction of the Durham Public Schools, as are other school equipment items.

5265 -LIVING WAGE POLICY

In the interests of the health and welfare of its employees, it is the policy of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education to pay all full-time employees of the Durham Public Schools (DPS) a living wage.

5400 -RETENTION AND CAREER STATUS

The Board of Education will retain teachers and administrators who demonstrate and continue to strive for excellence in the performance of their responsibilities and in their contributions to improved educational outcomes.

5405 -CONTRACTS FOR TEACHERS

Contracts for employment are between the Durham Public Schools Board of Education and the employee and do not guarantee assignment to a particular school.

5410 -LICENSURE

Professional employees must hold or be eligible to hold North Carolina licensure in the areas to which the employee is assigned.

5411 -LICENSURE IN CASE OF TEACHER SHORTAGES

If a teacher shortage exists in a given subject or grade level, the Superintendent shall recommend that the Board of Education declare a shortage in that subject or grade level.

5420 -ACTION PLANS

Any certified employee who receives a below standard or unsatisfactory rating on an evaluation shall be placed on an action plan to improve the employee's performance, unless the employee is recommended for dismissal or demotion.

5425 -TUTORING FOR PAY

The Durham Public Schools should offer a varied and flexible instructional program that will minimize the need for students to obtain private tutoring.

5430 -TEACHER DISMISSAL, DEMOTION AND NONRENEWAL

All actions for dismissal, demotion or nonrenewal of teachers shall comply with North Carolina law.

5435 -REDUCTION IN FORCE

The purpose of this policy is to establish an orderly procedure for reduction in the employment of licensed employees of the school system.

5445 -SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS: RECRUITMENT AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Human Resources Department will coordinate the recruitment and selection of substitute teachers.

5450 -STUDENT TEACHERS

Student teachers from accredited colleges and universities may be assigned for student teaching experience in the Durham Public Schools.

5500 -CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL

The term "classified employee" applies to all employees who do not require licensure through the State Board of Education.

5510 -EVALUATION OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

Supervisors shall evaluate classified employees at least once each year.

5520 -DISMISSAL OF CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES

Classified employees will be considered employees at will. All actions to dismiss a classified employee shall be conducted in accordance with law.

5525 -FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT COMPLIANCE

It is the policy of the Durham Public Schools Board of Education to comply with the wage and hour requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act for all "nonexempt" employees.

5600 -SUPERINTENDENT

The Superintendent shall function as the chief administrative officer of the school system and as the chief executive officer to the Board of Education.

5605 - Superintendent Evaluation

The purpose of this policy is to set forth standards and define the process for the evaluation of the performance of the Superintendent.  The most important and fundamental responsibility of the Board is the employment of the Superintendent.  As the governance team, the Board and Superintendent hold themselves accountable for the continuous improvement of DPS.  The Board will ensure that the Superintendent effectively manages the school district through successful implementation of DPS’ goals, objectives, and policies.  The Board commits to an ongoing process of assessing the Superintendent’s performance throughout the year. The annual process will include a formal, summative, written evaluation of the Superintendent.

5610 -SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACTS

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education will issue written contracts to those school administrators who are entitled to contracts under state law.

5615 -ASSIGNMENT OF PRINCIPAL'S DUTIES

Any duty or responsibility assigned to a principal by statute.