ARTICLE XIV PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Jamestown School District

Professional development provides opportunities for ongoing learning and professional enrichment for teachers, with improving student achievement as the desired outcome. Initiatives of the district's Strategic Plan and School Improvement Plans and both State and Federal Mandates will guide district-wide professional development.

A. Professional conferences, meetings, workshops, tuition, and expenses of an educational nature as mutually agreed between the teacher and the Administration are encouraged. Annual allotments of $250.00 dollars per teacher will be designated for this purpose, with costs above and beyond this amount to be supported at the district's discretion.

B. All faculty members will participate in district-wide annual professional development project(s) appropriately related to the district's Strategic Plan, and School Improvement Plan and State and Federal Regulation in order to improve our school and student achievement. This occurs during the required professional development work meetings defined in article XII C. Some preparation prior to the meeting may be expected. An ongoing Professional Development Committee as defined by RIGL § 16-7.1 (Title 18) will be established to help facilitate involvement in the annual project(s) across all levels within the faculty.

C. Additional professional development in the form of curriculum development may be available for interested parties. Curriculum Development Committees will be established to further develop curriculum in need of revision. These committees will meet regularly throughout the year in order to foster growth in this area throughout the district. Participation in these committees will be voluntary and compensated at the agreed hourly rate for Curriculum Writing and/ or professional development.