THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605170479
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
School district workers soon will be able to transfer their own sick days to colleagues in distress.
The School Board ordered the administration Thursday to establish regulations to allow the practice. Under the policy, employees will be able to share their personal sick leave with co-workers who use up their own - but still find themselves in need.
Superintendent Richard D. Trumble said he would try to pull a policy together in about a week. The practice of allowing workers to transfer sick days to colleagues or, in some cases, directly to a ``pool,'' is common in many school districts across the state.
The unanimous decision came after at least a month of complaints from parents and neighborhood activists concerned about Woodrow Wilson High teacher and coach Joe Ladisic, who's out on leave because of cancer complications.
His sick leave and disability benefits are due to run out at the end of the month. Several teachers wanted to donate their sick days to help him, but such transfers had not been allowed.
Karen Jordan, president of the Simonsdale Civic Club, was one of the city activists who attended Thursday's board meeting to see how the board would respond.
Thursday's decision was long overdue, she said. by CNB