Sioux City Community Schools -

The Sioux City Community School District leave of absence policy allows an employee to apply for a leave of absence for personal, medical, or educational reasons. A formal letter of request must be submitted to the Human Resource Department for approval. The District allows a maximum of two years for an approved leave of absence.

If the employee is unable to return to work after the 2nd year of medical, personal or educational leave of absence, they will be asked to submit their letter of resignation or retirement notice to the Human Resources office.

The Sioux City Community School District does adhere to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act (USERRA) guidelines. Formal notification must be supplied to the District HR office for military leave.

Personal and educational leaves are unpaid, but the insurance benefits may be continued at the employee’s expense. If the employee elects insurance, they must pay 121 Benefits private check or money order by the first of each month in which premiums are due, or the insurance will be terminated.

An employee on a medical leave of absence for their own serious health condition must utilize available sick leave until it is exhausted. If the employee is qualified for Family Medical Leave, the first 12 weeks of their medical leave is documented as FMLA leave. If the employee is not eligible for FMLA leave or FMLA leave has been exhausted, they must request a medical leave of absence. The purpose of the leave of absence is to protect the employee’s job and benefits while they are receiving medical treatment.

Under the medical leave of absence, the employee would continue to receive insurance cafeteria plan contributions if eligible for them. Any insurance premium normally paid for by the Sioux City School District will continue to be paid for one year, as well as any cash benefit. Employees on medical leave are responsible for paying their portion of the insurance premium. Any portion of the insurance premium that is unable to be payroll
deducted must be paid by the employee via private check or money order by the first of the month in which premiums are due or the insurance will be terminated.

The employee on medical leave may apply for a second-year leave of absence by submitting another letter to the Human Resources Office. If approved, the employee may elect to stay on the health, dental and vision insurance, but are responsible for all insurance premiums. The employee would no longer receive any Cafeteria Dollars if previously receiving as part of their District Cafeteria Plan. Life & Long Term Disability insurance may not be continued during a second-year leave of absence unless a claim for waiver of the premium was filed and approved.
To be eligible for IPERS disability, an employee must terminate employment status with the Sioux City Community School District.