Seattle Public Schools

Policies

List of Policies

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5203 Employee Assistance Program

Seattle Public Schools recognizes that problems of a personal nature may have an adverse effect on job performance and that most personal and job-related problems can be dealt with successfully when identified early and referred to appropriate professional resources.  The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has been established to support individual and district effectiveness by addressing […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5222 Job Sharing

Policy A job-sharing assignment is the shared performance of the duties of one full-time, regular position by (2) employees. It is the policy of the Seattle School Board to permit employee job sharing, provided that in no case should the cost to the District of a shared position be greater than the cost of a […]

(last updated: 2026 )

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5230 Job Descriptions/Responsibilities

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for developing administrative guidelines and training opportunities to assure that staff know what is expected of them and how these expectations may be achieved. Each staff member shall have a job description that identifies the essential functions of the job and which shall also serve as a basis […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5240 Evaluation of Staff

It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that all staff be evaluated on their performance on an annual basis. The proper evaluation of staff is an integral part in improving student achievement and the efficiency of district operations.  Evaluation of Non-Supervisory Certificated Staff The Superintendent shall develop a system for evaluating certificated staff […]

(last updated: 2024 )

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5245 Anti-Retaliation

Anti-Retaliation It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that employees be protected from retaliation for reporting, in good faith, violations or suspected violations of District policies or procedures or for engaging in protected activities. Protected activities shall be defined in a Superintendent Procedure, but will include, at a minimum, the filing of a […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5245SP Anti-Retaliation

(last updated: 2021 )

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5250 Reporting Improper Governmental Actions and Protecting Whistleblowers Against Retaliation

It is the policy of the Seattle School Board (1) to encourage the reporting by its employees of improper governmental action taken by District officers or employees and (2) to protect employees who have reported improper governmental actions in accordance with this policy from retaliation.

(last updated: 2022 )

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5251 Ethics

Purpose District officers and employees will demonstrate the values of integrity in the performance of the District’s business, accountability to the law and to the people we serve, stewardship of the District’s resources, and independence in the performance of our jobs. District officers and employees have been entrusted with a noble and important task, educating […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5252 Staff Participation in Political Activities

The Board recognizes the right of its employees, as citizens, to engage in political activities. A staff member may seek an elective office, provided that the staff member does not campaign on school property during working hours. In the event the staff member is elected to office, the employee may request a leave of absence […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5253 Maintaining Professional Staff/Student Boundaries

Purpose  This policy provides all district staff and students with information about their role in protecting children from inappropriate conduct by adults and to ensure that contact and communication with students are conducted in a professional manner. For the purposes of this policy and its procedure, the terms “district staff,” “staff member(s),” and “staff” also […]

(last updated: 2025 )

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5260 Personnel Records

The District shall maintain a personnel file for each District employee in compliance with applicable laws. The Superintendent is authorized to develop procedures for the implementation of this policy including the processes for reviewing, requesting copies of, and seeking removal of irrelevant or erroneous information. Superintendent Procedure: 5260SP – Personnel Records 6501SP – Data Privacy […]

(last updated: 2025 )

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5280 Termination of Employment

The Superintendent has the statutory authority to issue probable cause for termination to a certificated staff member. The Board shall approve the termination of a classified staff member based upon the recommendation of the Superintendent through the personnel report. The notice of termination shall include notice of any appeal rights the employee may have and […]

(last updated: 2025 )

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5281 Staff Disciplinary Action and Discharge

Staff who fail to fulfill their job responsibilities or follow the reasonable directions of their supervisor; who conduct themselves on or off the job in ways that significantly impact their effectiveness on the job; engage in unprofessional conduct; or violate District policies or written rules, will be subject to discipline. Behavior, conduct, or action that […]

(last updated: 2025 )

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5282 Employee Recognition Program

It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that the Superintendent may implement a commendable employee service program and recognition award program for certificated and classified school employees.  The program should be designed to recognize exemplary service, special achievement and outstanding contributions by an individual, or group of individuals, in the performance of their […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5310 Compensation

School Board Policy 5310 Compensation It is the policy of the Seattle School Board to post on the district’s website annual salary schedules for certificated employees, including all certificated employees paid under the Compensation Bulletin for Management Staff.  Salary schedules are adopted by the Board when collective bargaining agreements and the Compensation Bulletin for Management […]

(last updated: 2024 )

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5315 Garnishment Processing

It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that when so ordered by the Superior Court, the U.S. Secretary of Education or the Secretary’s guaranty agency (in the case of defaulted student loans), the district shall comply with the directives of a Writ of Garnishment filed against a staff member of the district. Each […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5400 Leaves

It is the policy of the Seattle School Board to permit employees to take leave, as permitted by local, state, or federal law or as appropriate given individual circumstances, such as medical leave.  Such leaves may be with or without pay and/or benefits, depending on the nature and length of leave.    Leaves that are permitted […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5410 Holidays Policy

It is the policy of Seattle Public Schools to observe the holidays listed by the State Legislature and that school shall not be taught on these days: Sunday;The first day of January, commonly called New Year’s Day;The third Monday of January, celebrated as the anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.;The third Monday […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5515 Workforce Secondary Traumatic Stress

Purpose The Seattle School Board is committed to preventing and addressing secondary traumatic stress for district personnel by supporting mental health in the workplace. Every day, school staff work with students experiencing trauma and loss. As a result, teachers, school counselors, administrators, and other school staff may experience secondary traumatic stress. When secondary traumatic stress […]

(last updated: 2025 )

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5520 Staff Development

Introduction The Seattle School Board supports the continual professional growth of all staff in order to better serve the needs of our students and district. Professional Growth and Development Additional professional development and study are necessary for continued growth and effectiveness of staff members. It is also necessary for staff members with increased responsibilities and […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5530 Employee Benefits

It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that the district may make available health, dental, vision, life and accidental death, long term disability or salary protection insurance, and may contribute all or part of the cost of such insurance.  The district may also offer additional employee benefits, to include an employee assistance program, […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5610 Substitute Employment

The Seattle School Board authorizes the employment of a certificated substitute in the absence of a certificated staff member.  In addition, the district may use a substitute in place of a regularly contracted staff member when:  Enrollment uncertainties exist at the beginning of a school year; or Resignations or leaves of regular staff do not […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5630 Volunteers

The Seattle School Board recognizes the valuable contribution made to the total school program through the volunteer assistance of parents and other citizens. In working with volunteers, district staff shall clearly explain the volunteer's responsibility for supervising students in school, on the playground and on field trips. On field trips, both students and volunteers are […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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5641 Student Teachers

The Seattle School Board encourages cooperation with colleges and universities within the State of Washington in the training of student teachers. The district may accept student teachers from accredited institutions of higher learning.  The Board authorizes the Superintendent or his/her designee to honor the reasonable rules, regulations and training guidelines of the teacher training institution. […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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6000 Program Planning, Budget Preparation, Adoption and Implementation

A district’s annual budget is tangible evidence of the Board’s commitment to increasing academic outcomes, access to programs and the efficient and effective supports for instruction in our classrooms. The budget expresses in specific terms the services to be provided for operation of the district, consistent with immediate and long-range goals and resources available and […]

(last updated: 2022 )

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