Hickman County Board of Education
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
5.303
02/03/25
Personal and Professional Leave
Rescinds:
Issued:
5.303
12/05/22
1
Personal and professional leave shall be granted in accordance with laws of the State of Tennessee and
2
rules and regulations of the State Board of Education.
3
Certified employees shall earn personal and professional leave at the rate of one day for each half year
4
employed for a total of two (2) days per year. Professional employees shall earn personal and
5
professional leave at the rate of two (2) days for each half-year employed for a total of four (4) days per
6
year. Employees may have their days of personal leave prior to having earned it. Any personal and
7
professional leave remaining unused at the end of a year shall be credited to sick leave. 1
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If, at the termination of services, any employee has been absent for more days than leave has been earned,
9
an amount sufficient to cover the excess days used shall be deducted from the employee's final salary
10
payment.²
11
Subject to the following conditions, personal leave may be taken at the discretion of the employee:
12
1.
Except in emergency, each employee shall give the principal at least one day's notice in
13
writing of intent to take leave;
14
15
2.
The approval of the principal of the school shall be required:³
16
17
a.
If more than ten percent (10%) of the teachers in any given school request its use
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on the same day;
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b.
If requested during any prior established student examination period;
20
c.
If requested on the day immediately preceding or following a holiday or vacation
21
period.
22
d.
If personal leave is requested for days scheduled for professional development or
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in-service training, according to a school calendar adopted by the Board prior to
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the commencement of the school year; or
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e.
If personal leave is requested for days scheduled for parent-teacher conferences,
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according to a school calendar adopted by the Board prior to the commencement
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of the school year.
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Professional leave is a short, temporary absence for the purpose of attending workshops and other
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meetings relating to school business or serving on boards and commissions which meet during daytime
30
hours when appointed by a mayor, city council, county executive or county commission.⁴
31
Requests shall be submitted to the principal at least five (5) days prior to requested leave of absence.
Version Date: June 23, 2026
Personal and Professional Leave
5.303
1
In addition, certified employees shall be granted leave to serve on any board or commission of the state
2
when the appointment is made by the Governor or General Assembly. Such leave shall not be counted
3
against any other accumulated leave credits. The employee shall notify the principal at least five (5)
4
days prior to leave being taken.
5
Support Personal may use two (2) leave days per school year as "personal leave". Personal leave may
6
be used for religious holidays, deaths not covered by sick leave, civic duties, personal business, or for
7
attendance of professional meetings excluding optional in-service meetings).
Legal References
Cross References
1.
TCA 49-5-711(a); TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.04(3);
Short Term Leaves of Absence 5.300
Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 1022
Legislative Leave 5.309
2.
TCA 49-5-711(b)
3.
TCA 49-5-711(c)(1)
4.
TCA 49-5-205
Page 2 of 2

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | Descriptor Term: Personal and Professional Leave | Descriptor Code: 5.303 | Issued Date: 02/03/25 |
|  |  | Rescinds: 5.303 | Issued: 12/05/22 |

## Table 2

|  | Legal References | Cross References |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | TCA 49-5-711(a); TRR/MS 0520-01-02-.04(3); Public Acts of 2026, Chapter No. 1022 | Short Term Leaves of Absence 5.300 Legislative Leave 5.309 |
| 2. | TCA 49-5-711(b) |  |
| 3. | TCA 49-5-711(c)(1) |  |
| 4. | TCA 49-5-205 |  |