Leaves and Absences

Weatherford ISD offers employees paid and unpaid leaves of absence in times of personal need.  Employees who expect to be absent for an extended period of more than five days should call the Director of Human Resources’ Administrative Assistant for information about applicable leave benefits, payment of insurance premiums, and requirements for communicating with the district.

Leave is available for the employee’s use at the beginning of each school year.  However, state personal and local leave is earned on a yearly basis. 

Employees must follow district and department or campus procedures to report or request any leave of absence and complete the appropriate leave request form or certification. Any employee who is absent more than 3 days because of a personal or family illness must submit a medical certification from a qualified health care provider confirming the specific dates of the illness, the reason for the illness, and—in the case of personal illness—the employee’s fitness to return to work.

Types of Leave: 

Nondiscretionary. Leave that is taken for personal or family illness, family emergency, a death in the family, or active military service is considered nondiscretionary leave. Reasons for this type of leave allows very little, if any, advance planning and will be granted to employees in the same manner as state sick leave.

Discretionary. Leave that is taken at an employee’s discretion and that can be scheduled in advance is considered discretionary leave. An employee wishing to take discretionary personal leave must submit a request to his or her principal or supervisor five days in advance of the anticipated absence. Discretionary personal leave will be granted on a first-come, first- served basis. The effect of the employee’s absence on the educational program or department operations, as well as the availability of substitutes, will be considered by the principal or supervisor.