Continuing Education and professional development is highly encouraged amongst all BUSD employees. Below you will find information regarding the guidelines for Continuing Education/Professional Development for both classified and certificated employees.

Continuing Education Course Approval Process (BTA & CSEA)

Step 1: Submit a Completed Course Approval Request Form (including course description and/or course flyer) to your Site Principal for review and approval.

Step 2: Once it has been approved by your Site Principal/Direct Supervisor, submit the completed Course Approval Form (including course description and/or course flyer) to the Human Resources Department for review and final approval.

Step 3: Once final approval is received by Human Resources, the approved form will be returned to you for your records.

Reminder: All transcripts (unofficial/official), grade cards, or certificates of completion must be submitted to the District Office by September 15 (CSEA) and/or September 30 (BTA) for credit in that school year.

CSEA/BUSD Collective Bargaining Agreement
Article 20.A-C (Professional Development)
A. Eligibility:
All permanent classified unit members shall be eligible for a professional growth increment. Employees on leave of absence shall not be eligible to receive professional growth credit.

B. Stipend:
Eligible employees shall receive a professional growth stipend of  $300  per  year  upon completion of each twelve (12) unit increment of approved course work to a maximum of five (5) increments. Part-time employees eligible for professional growth credit shall receive a pro-rated stipend. Verification of completion of professional growth requirements shall be submitted by September 15th for an employee to be eligible to receive a professional growth stipend in that school year. The stipend shall be paid in one lump sum in January of each year.

C. Coursework:
Employees must receive advance approval for course work from his/her supervisor and the Superintendent and must demonstrate that the course work is demonstrably related to his/her job.
Approval for course work shall not be unreasonably withheld. Credit will be granted for course work completed at:

1. An accredited college, university, or community college

2. Adult school or continuing education offered at an accredited educational institution

3. A licensed or accredited trade school

4. Job-related workshops, institutes, seminars, and conferences (18 hours = 1 unit)

BTA/BUSD Collective Bargaining Agreement
Article 7.3.B-D (Compensation/Advancement/Placement on Salary Schedule)

 B. College and University Course Work: When a bargaining unit member desires to take courses for credit for advancement on the salary schedule, they must submit the course title and its relation to the scope of the District curriculum to his/her Principal in advance of taking the course. Should the Principal deem the course unacceptable, they shall so inform the bargaining unit member. This bargaining unit member may appeal the decision to a professional growth committee of three (3) Bargaining Unit Members chosen by the Association. This committee shall submit their recommendation to the Superintendent for final decision. 

C. Advancement categories should be limited to the following:

1. Courses that develop increased competence in the present bargaining unit member area.

2. Courses that are preparation for a bargaining unit member who changes, or plans to change, from one curriculum to another.

3. Courses that would develop competencies in an additional curriculum area.

D. All transcripts (unofficial/official), grade cards, or certificates of completion must be submitted to the District Office by September 30 for credit in that school year. If unofficial transcripts are submitted prior to the September 30 deadline, official transcripts must be submitted as soon as they are available. 

Professional growth activities completed during the school year should be verified to the District Office as soon as possible after completion. 

Employees who fail to meet the September 30 deadline will not be allowed to advance to a higher range on the salary schedule in that school year. 

Only grades “C” or better, or pass in a pass/fail class, shall receive credit for salary schedule purposes. 

Credit will not be granted for purposes of advancement on the schedule unless the transcripts, grade cards or certificates of completion are submitted within twelve (12) months of completion of the course.