5403 – Emergency Leaves
Emergency Leave
The Board recognizes that the demands of the workplace and of families need to be balanced to promote family stability and economic security for NWESD 189 employees. Conditions for the authorized use of accumulated sick leave for emergency leaves are to be fairly construed in a manner consistent with relevant NWESD 189 policies.
Unless otherwise stated, any leave used under terms of this policy shall be deducted from the staff member’s accumulated sick leave and may be accessed in fifteen (15) minute or longer increments. In the event the staff member’s sick leave has been exhausted, the leave may be granted without pay.
The NWESD 189 shall annually permit up to three (3) days of emergency leave for urgent business which cannot be accomplished on a weekend or after the regular working day. The following guidelines shall be applied:
- The problem must have been suddenly precipitated and/or of such nature that preplanning could not relieve the necessity for the absence.
- Mechanical problems (other than accidents) can not be considered a valid reason for emergency leave.
- The leave cannot be in lieu of other available leaves.
- The problem creating the need for such emergency leave cannot be connected with, or an extension of, any other form of leave (attendance at the funeral of a close friend shall not be considered an extension of bereavement leave).
- Should the emergency be of such a personal nature that the individual finds it difficult to state the reason for absence in writing on the absence form, he/she may, in lieu of the written statement, request a private and confidential conference with the Superintendent.
Bereavement Leave
The NWESD 189 shall allow each full-time staff member a maximum of five (5) days leave with compensation per occurrence for emotional illness or upset due to death in the immediate family.
The immediate family shall include spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings of the employee or spouse.
One (1) day of leave with pay per occurrence shall be allowed an employee for the death of other relatives.
In situations where personal problems are a result of bereavement, the employee may be granted an extended leave of absence without pay upon approval of the Superintendent, providing all other available leave has been exhausted. Such an extended leave shall be limited in duration. In this situation, employees may contribute to their benefits if their insurance provider permits it.
Leave without Pay
An extended unpaid leave of absence for a period up to the beginning of the next school term or school year may be approved at the discretion of the Superintendent based upon consideration of educational program needs and the desires of the staff member, together with any recommendation of professionals such as medical practitioners or counselors regarding the leave request.
Except as otherwise noted, this policy is subject to all the provisions of Policy 5400.
First Reading:
Second Reading: 08/27/84 (as 4650, 4660, 4692)
Revised: 02/26/92 (as 4650, 4660, 4692)
Revised: 05/23/01 (recodified 5403, 5405)
Revised: 02/27/02 (as 5405)
Revised 08/28/02
Revised: 01/22/03 (as 5405)
Revised: 06/24/09
Revised: 03/22/17
Revised: 03/24/26
Reference:
RCW 28A.310.180
RCW 28A.310.200
RCW 28A.310.220
RCW 28A.310.240
RCW 28A.400.300
RCW 28A.600.010
RCW 49.12.270
RCW 49.12.360
RCW 49.78
WAC 296-134
P.L. 103-3
29 CFR Pt. 825
Cross Reference:
Policy 5400
Date Revised: 3/24/26