12. PROBATIONARY PERIOD, PROMOTIONAL OBSERVATION PERIOD, CAREER OBSERVATION

12.1 Probationary Period

12.1.1 New permanent ESP employees shall serve a one-time probationary period, six (6) months paid days, before obtaining non-probationary permanent status. Said probationary period may be extended but shall not exceed an additional six (6) months paid days. When the probationary period is extended, procedures shall be followed as set forth in 12.3.1 and 12.3.2 Career Observation.

12.2 ESP Promotions, Lateral Transfers and Voluntary Demotions

12.2 .1 ESP employees in good standing, laterally transferred or voluntarily demoted who are placed on Career Observation within six months of the position change and who do not successfully perform their duties shall be reassigned to a vacancy in their previous classification with their previous pay rate had they not left that classification. The Division of Human Resources shall make an effort to place the employee at a reasonable location.

12.2 .2 ESP employees who are promoted shall serve a six month promotional observation period. This promotional observation period may be extended for up to six additional months following the procedures as set forth in 13.1.1, 13.1.2 and 13.1.5 Career Observation.

12.2 .3 ESP employees promoted who do not successfully perform their duties shall be reassigned to a vacancy in their previous classification with their previous pay rate had they not left that classification. The Division of Human Resources shall make an effort to place the employee at a reasonable location.

12.2 .4 Employees who have been promoted, laterally transferred or voluntarily demoted shall not serve another probationary period.

12.3 Career Observation

12.3.1 If, after an ESP has been informed in writing of administrative concerns, a principal/supervisor determines that an ESP is continuing to have some serious employment problems, he/she may place the ESP on Career Observation after obtaining approval from the Assistant Superintendent for Division of Human Resources or his designee. With approval, the administrator shall:

a. Notify the ESP in writing of placement on Career Observation

b. Identify in writing to the ESP the specific deficiencies and the expected performance that would produce a satisfactory status

c. Provide in writing to the ESP suggestions for improvement and any known available resources for assistance

d. Set a reasonable time limit for improvement and identify in writing to the ESP the date Career Observation is to begin

12.3.2 As part of the Career Observation process, a meeting shall be held every thirty calendar days between the ESP and the supervisor/principal to discuss the progress made to date. The ESP may have an Association representative present, and the supervisor/principal may have a Division of Human Resources representative present. For each meeting, the supervisor/principal shall complete the appropriate evaluation form provided by the Division of Human Resources for that thirty day period. A copy of this evaluation shall be given to the ESP at the meeting. As a result of this conference, the supervisor/principal will take one of the following actions and note such action on the evaluation:

a. Return the ESP to regular status - release from Career Observation

b. Recommend an Administrative Transfer for the ESP

c. Place ESP on Career Observation Level II (see 12.3.6)

d. Continue the ESP on Career Observation

e. Recommend that ESP return to previous classification/group and rate of pay when a vacancy exists (promotional observation transfer provision only -Section 12.2)

12.3.3 The Career Observation process shall not normally exceed six months. Under extenuating circumstances, the process may be extended beyond the normal six months for a period not to exceed ninety days.

12.3.4 Placement on Career Observation shall have no effect upon an employee's current salary. If a step increase occurs during the period of Career Observation, the increase due the employee shall be delayed until satisfactory completion of the Career Observation.

12.3.5 Employees under this process shall continue to receive all rights and benefits afforded permanent employees.

12.3.6 After three or more thirty day periods on Career Observation Level I, an employee may be notified in writing of placement on Career Observation Level II. Procedures and provisions for Level II are the same as for Level I except at the end of two or more thirty day periods on Level II, the principal/supervisor shall also have the option of recommending dismissal. At the time of placement on Level II, employee shall be notified in writing of the possible consequence of recommendation for dismissal.

12.3.7 An employee previously placed on Career Observation Level I for serious employment problems and removed from Career Observation Level I may be recommended for placement directly on Career Observation Level II if employee performance in the same area of concern warrants it based upon at least one written reprimand or for an unsatisfactory annual performance evaluation.

12.3.8 An employee previously placed on Career Observation Level II for serious employment problems and removed from Career Observation Level II may be recommended for placement directly on Career Observation Level II if employee performance in the same area of concern warrants it based upon at least one written reprimand or for an unsatisfactory annual performance evaluation.