The Board will reimburse employees for each credit hour successfully completed beyond permanent certification at the actual cost charged by Indiana University of Pennsylvania at the time courses are taken. "Actual cost" includes Tuition (with High Demand differential if applicable), Instructional Fee, Technology Fee, and Registration Fee.

 

No reimbursement shall be granted for credit card payment service fees, parking, transportation, wellness, late fees or required textbooks/ course materials

- To received credit reimbursement for credits taken beyond permanent certification, teachers must apply for such reimbursement on this form after complete each course, accompanied by itemized invoice and final grade to the District with the understanding that if the District has any questions/concerns about grade/course authenticity, then the employee may be required to submit a copy of a transcript.

*Reimbursement needs to be requested within one year of taking the course, late requests for payment may not be honored.

For courses completed after July 1, 2023, the Board will reimburse employees for each credit hour beyond permanent certification at the actual cost per credit charged by Indiana University of Pennsylvania at the time courses are taken. For the purposes of this agreement, "actual cost" includes Tuition (with High Demand differential if applicable), Instructional Fee, Technology Fee, and Registration Fee. No reimbursement shall be granted for credit card payment service fees, parking, transportation, wellness, late fees, or required textbooks / course materials.

 

Although courses taken fully online are acceptable, credits must be taken at accredited graduate degree conferring institutions with a brick and mortar campus in Pennsylvania. Coursework must be at the graduate level and lead to an advanced degree or to an additional Instructional certification, Program Specialist certification (ESL), or Educational Specialist certification through the PDE. Waivers to provisions in this paragraph may be granted by superintendent or assistant superintendent on a case-by-case basis.

 

Prior written (email) approval (before course registration) shall be obtained from the superintendent or assistant superintendent to ensure reimbursement. Generalized Master of Education programs are discouraged unless they lead to additional certification areas such as Special Education, Reading Specialist, etc

 

The following are preferred uses of credit reimbursement and do not require prior approval from the superintendent or assistant superintendent:

 

- An elementary teacher pursuing a Master's degree and/or additional PDE certification in special education or literacy (Reading Specialist)

 

- A secondary teacher pursuing a Master's or Doctoral degree in their content area (High School Social Studies teacher working toward MA or PhD in History, Middle School Math teacher working toward a MS or PhD in Mathematics, etc

 

- A certified school nurse pursuing an advanced degree (CRNP, or similar advanced medical degree

 

Credits Earned before Permanent Certification:

 

For coursework completed after July 1, 2023 leading to permanent (Level 2) certification, the District will reimburse the employee at a rate of $150 per credit hour (maximum S3600 This shall be a onc-time reimbursement made when the Master's degree is awarded by an accredited graduate school with a brick and mortar campus in Pennsylvania. Only credit hours completed after July 1, 2023, shall be reimbursed (no retroactivity), and all prior course/program approval requirements listed above shall apply to this paragraph.

 

If employee severs employment with the District within three (3) years of receiving the credit reimbursement, employee shall reimburse the District 65% of the total reimbursement. For coursework leading to Administrative or Supervisory certification (Principal, Supervisor of Special Education, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, etc, the period for which credit reimbursement must be repaid to the District shall be increased to five (5) years.

Reimbursement must be made in the tax year in which employment is severed by the employee. Employees who permanently retire under normal PSERS retirement, PSERS Permanent Disability, who are furloughed and/or discharged, or who are called into active military status are exempt from the repayment provision.