Academic leave will be governed by these regulations.

1. Academic leave without pay may be granted for the purpose of study which may include advanced degree work or work designed to increase the employee’s competence, or for such purpose as may be recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the School Board. Persons granted academic leave shall not accept full-time employment, but the recipient of academic leave may accept grants, fellowships, or remuneration for part-time employment of any type which does not interfere with the academic project.
   
   
2. Employees granted academic leave are eligible to return to the first available equivalent position with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, retaining that seniority held at the date of departure, but not accruing any additional benefits toward pay, promotion, or seniority during the time of absence.
   
   
3. Academic leave may be granted for one full, one-half, or one-fourth of an academic year. When the period of academic leave is for less than a full academic year or when the leave spans portions of two academic years, final approval will be contingent upon the availability of a qualified replacement.
   
   
4. One-fourth year may be granted only under the following three conditions:
   
   
   1. For additional study
      
   2. At the beginning of a school year or at the end of a school year
      
   3. In a field of need for the school system
      
      
      
5. Upon returning from academic leave, each recipient will file with the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources such reports of the employee's activities as may be requested.
   
   
6. Application for academic leave must be filed sixty (60) calendar days prior to the commencement of the leave.

Approved by Superintendent: July 16, 1991
Revised by Superintendent: March 8, 2006