WHAT IS ESS (EMPLOYEE SELF SERVICE) AND HOW DO I ACCESS IT?
ESS stands for Employee Self Service. Directions on how to set up and reset your password are emailed each year as part of the contract process. ESS allows employees to view contracts, check leave balances, access tax documents, view payroll deductions, etc. ESS Access
HOW DO I FIND OUT HOW MANY HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I'VE COMPLETED?
DO WE RUN CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON EMPLOYEES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN HIRED?
Criminal background checks are run on employees after they have been hired. Each year the Personnel Department runs criminal background checks on 25% of the employees in the district. All employees will receive a background check once every four years once they are hired.
WHERE DO I FIND MY CERTIFICATION AND ENDORSEMENTS?
Certifications, years of experience, renewal date, etc. can all be found in SC Educator. Once registered for SC Educator, information can be found in the "My Locker" tab.
HOW AM I EVALUATED?
Educators are evaluated using the Expanded ADEPT (Assisting. Developing and Evaluating Professional Teaching Support and Evaluation System. This system's main goal is to support educators' professional growth and development through actionable and constructive feedback. Evaluations are based on a set of performance standards that establishes expectations for what educators should know, be able to do and carry out as an Integral part of their practice. The South Carolina Teaching Standards 4.0 Rubric is used for classroom-based teachers Special area, educator evaluations utilize rubrics specifically designed for their area of practice.
All staff in positions that require certification through SCDE (South Carolina Department of Education). Contract types are outlined in the Personnel Handbook.
WHEN WILL I KNOW MY WORK LOCATION? CAN I BE INVOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED?
Pursuant to Section 59-25-410, districts must notify teachers of their location for the school year 14 calendar days prior to students returning,
Professional Personnel Transfer - Please Refer to Board Policy GCKAA-R. Visit Board Policies and type GCKAA-R in the search bar
The District shall make every effort to notify teachers of their anticipated work site and teaching assignment by May 30 of each year.
WHEN ARE CONTRACTS AND LETTERS OF AGREEMENT ISSUED?
Before May 1st of each year, the Board of Trustees shall decide and notify, in writing, the teachers, as defined in §59-1-130, of their employment status for the ensuing school year. If the Board, or the person designated by it, fails to notify a teacher who has been employed by a school district for a majority of the current school year of his status for the ensuing year, the teacher shall be deemed to be re-employed for the ensuing year and the Board shall issue a contract to such teacher as though the Board had re-employed such teacher in the usual manner. Notices of intent not to renew an employment contract shall be given in writing prior to contract/letter of agreement distribution.
WHEN ARE CONTRACTS AND LETTERS OF AGREEMENT DUE?
Persons receiving contract renewal notification must sign and return the contract on or before May 10th. Failure on the part of the employee to give such notice shall constitute rejection of the contract and the position will be considered vacant and will be posted.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT SIGN MY CONTRACT OR LETTER OF AGREEMENT BY THE DUE DATE?
Persons receiving contract renewal notification must sign and return the contract by May 10th. Failure on the part of the employee to give such notice shall constitute rejection of the contract and the position will be considered vacant and will be posted..
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONTRACT AND A LETTER OF AGREEMENT (LOA)?
All staff in positions that do not require certification through SCDE are provided with a Letter of Agreement. Additionally, educators who will not be employed by the district for at least 80% of the school year - Should a vacancy occur in a position during the year, the board authorizes the superintendent to fill such vacancies for the remainder of the school year in which the vacancy occurs pursuant to a letter of agreement, when appropriate. (Board Policy GCFB)
WHAT DO RETIREES RECEIVE WHEN THEY ARE REHIRED?
Retirees receive a Retiree Letter of Agreement (RLOA) Policy GCQE - Retirement of Professional Staff Administrative Rule - GCQE-R-Retirement of Professional Staff
WILL RETIREES AUTOMATICALLY BE REHIRED EACH YEAR THEY WANT TO RETURN?
Retirees are not automatically rehired each year. There is no guarantee of continued employment from year to year. From the Personnel Handbook: The superintendent is authorized to hire retired employees to work in the district on an "as needed" basis when their employment would serve the best interests of the school system. In such cases, the superintendent will notify the employee of his/her at-will employment status. The continued employment of retired employees will be at the discretion of the superintendent. The decision to employ or not employ retired employees will not be subject to the district's grievance procedures.
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS CAN I BE RELEASED FROM MY CONTRACT ONCE SIGNED?
Any professional staff member who wants to cancel or terminate a contract must state his/her desire in writing to the superintendent. The district is under no obligation to release a professional staff member from a contract except as set out below. For such resignation to be effective, it must be accepted in writing by the Superintendent.
The board will not release a professional staff member from his/her contract after June 1 except under one of the following conditions.
circumstances beyond the employee's control (ex,, military/business transfer of spouse)
serious illness of employee
Please see Board Policy GCQC/GCQD for more information:
