BRUNSWICK COUNTY — In a move aimed at making Brunswick County Schools more competitive in attracting and retaining educators, the Brunswick County Board of Education has approved an expansion of its parental involvement leave policy — doubling the amount of time school staff can take to attend their children’s school events.
READ MORE: Tri-county schools hit with fed fund loss, NHCS says its already at ‘subsistence level’
The board unanimously voted to increase the number of hours allotted to school employees for child school involvement leave from four hours to eight hours per year. The change doubles the state’s minimum requirement at no extra cost to the district. The decision was made during their meeting on Tuesday, July 8.
The amendment allows employees to attend their child’s award ceremonies, banquets and similar events within working hours, excluding field trips or similar long-term engagements.
Board member Robin Moffitt praised the change, saying it “is so important” to allow teachers to leave to see their children’s key milestones.
According to the board, this amendment was made to help the district attract new personnel and retain current employees. A goal outlined in their five-year strategic plan.
“I think it’s important that we try to put ourselves in as competitive a position as we can when it comes to hiring and this is just another way to stay in the forefront of the places people want to apply,” Vice Chair Steve Gainey said.
To ensure classroom continuity, employees must submit a written request at least two days in advance and receive approval from their supervisor.
According to Brunswick County School’s chief HR officer, Natalie Brozy, if the staff member’s child is enrolled in the Brunswick County district they would not burn through their accrued leave hours for time away. However, if the time away is a half-day or more, accrued leave would need to be used.
In addition to benefiting staff members and their families, superintendent Dale Cole added the amendment was a “worthwhile investment” because students in the classroom would benefit from the efficiency in instructional time the amendment allows for.
“The students in that teacher’s classroom would be better off if they’re allowed to pop out and be covered,” Cole said. “If they’re a teacher at Cedar Grove Middle and they have a child at Supply Elementary, they can shoot over to Supply Elementary, attend the event, and be back within an hour-and-a-half as opposed to them having to take a half a day of leave — if not the whole day — and then the students in that class at Cedar Grove Middle are without their teacher the whole day.”
Have tips or suggestions for Sophia Walsh? Email sophia@localdailymedia.com
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
